Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
What's Next? Democrats, White House Both Float New Talks On Skinnier Bill
Reuters: Pelosi, Mnuchin Open Door To Narrower COVID-19 Aid Through 2020
U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Sunday said they were open to restarting COVID-19 aid talks, after weeks of failed negotiations prompted President Donald Trump to take executive actions that Democrats argued would do little to ease Americans’ financial distress. Discussions over a fifth bill to address the impact of the coronavirus pandemic fell apart on Friday, a week after a critical boost in unemployment assistance and eviction protections expired, exposing people to a wave of economic pain as infections continue to rise across the country. (Heavey, 8/9)
The Hill: Pelosi: 'Of Course There's Room For Compromise' On $600-Per-Week Unemployment Benefit
Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Sunday that “of course there’s room for compromise” on the now-expired $600-per-week unemployment benefit Democrats have advocated keeping. CNN’s Dana Bash pressed Pelosi on why Democrats have not agreed to a compromise between the previous $600 a week and the Republicans' proposal of $200 per week in extra benefits. “Would you do $400 extra?” Bash asked before Pelosi cut in and said, “I’m not negotiating that right here. It depends on what else is in the bill.” (Coleman, 8/9)
The Hill: Schumer: Idea That $600 Unemployment Benefit Keeps Workers Away From Jobs 'Belittles The American People'
Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) said Sunday that the idea that the now-expired $600-per-week enhanced unemployment benefit disincentivizes workers from returning to jobs "belittles the American people." "Americans want to work, but with 10, 11 percent unemployment, you can't find a job, and people shouldn't be given a pay cut," he said on ABC's "This Week." (Zilbermints, 8/9)
In related news —
Modern Healthcare: 9 Healthcare Policies At Stake If Congress' COVID-19 Package Stalls
Negotiations between the Trump administration and congressional Democrats on another comprehensive COVID-19 package have devolved into a stalemate, which could jeopardize policies favored by the healthcare industry. ... Nine healthcare policies in particular could fizzle without a deal. (Cohrs, 8/7)
The Hill: Democrats Try To Force Trump To Boost Medical Supplies Production
A group of Democrats is pushing to include provisions in a coronavirus relief package that would force President Trump to hit the gas on the Defense Production Act (DPA) and ramp up production of key medical supplies. The measure from Sens. Chris Murphy (Conn.) and Tammy Baldwin (Wis.) and backed by Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) requires the Trump administration to use the powers of the DPA to ramp up production of testing supplies, protective equipment for health workers and any other supplies needed to fight COVID-19. (Sullivan, 8/7)
The Hill: Businesses And States Launch Own Relief Funds As Congressional Talks Stall
As negotiations between Democrats and Republicans over a new round of coronavirus relief drag on with little hope of a quick resolution in sight, some businesses are stepping in to help out-of-work employees pay the bills. Dozens of businesses that have been sidelined by lockdown orders have created funds to support their employees in recent weeks, after gridlock on Capitol Hill left an added unemployment benefit expire at the end of July. (Wilson, 8/9)
Politico: Coronavirus Relief Favors White Households, Leaving Many People Of Color At Risk Of Being Evicted
Federal housing aid during the coronavirus pandemic disproportionately benefits white households over minorities, with Black households most at risk, a POLITICO analysis has found. The federal assistance favors homeowners over renters, and because white households are more likely to own homes — a long-standing trend with roots in racist housing policy — they have more access to aid. Black households are more likely to rent than any other group, so they will be hardest hit with evictions likely to proceed in states without moratoriums, including Texas and Georgia. (Miller Thomas, 8/7)
