Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Carson's Early Universal Care Plan Failed To Take Flight; O'Malley Unveils Health Proposal
Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson thought he had a way to create a system of universal health care to cover millions of uninsured Americans. ... Long before he considered a presidential bid, the world famous neurosurgeon envisioned building Angels of the OR into an endowment that would generate enough interest income to cover uninsured patients expenses for neurological surgeries and other medical costs. He even pitched the idea to a congressional subcommittee in 2006 .... But it didn't work out that way: The national fund did not materialize, and over nine years of operation, Angels of the OR [Operating Room] generated less than $150,000 for patient care and helped 34 patients cover portions of their medical bills, according to its tax forms. (Arnsdorf and Cheney, 11/25)
Democratic presidential candidate Martin O'Malley on Tuesday unveiled a healthcare plan that would seek to expand healthcare coverage to 95 percent of people in the U.S. over the next few years. The 10-page plan would build on ObamaCare and crack down on prescription drug costs, among others things. (Shabad, 11/24)
Vowing to crack down on the nation鈥檚 pharmaceutical industry while expanding coverage to 95 percent of all people, Democratic presidential candidate Martin O鈥橫alley on Tuesday laid out his healthcare plan. The former Maryland governor pledged to protect poorer Americans by tackling drug 鈥減rice gouging,鈥 rising deductibles and healthcare mergers in a platform that largely resembles his Democratic presidential rivals. (Ferris, 11/24)
When Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio staked out a hard-line position on abortion in the first GOP debate, Hillary Rodham Clinton took notice. The Democratic front-runner quickly blasted Rubio's assertion that he did not support abortion exceptions for victims of rape and incest as "offensive and troubling." ... Since then, Rubio has been finessing his statements. In an interview with The Associated Press, Rubio said he unequivocally backs abortion exceptions when the life of the mother is in danger. He said he also would back legislation with allowances for cases of rape and incest 鈥 even though he personally doesn't support those exceptions. (Pace, 11/25)
