Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
GOP Lawmakers See Different Opportunities In Budget Reconciliation
Maine Sen. Susan Collins wants to use it for a tax overhaul. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, for entitlement reform and a massive 鈥減ro-growth鈥 agenda. And Rep. Bill Flores of Texas, who chairs the conservative Republican Study Committee, insists it should be used only to gut President Barack Obama鈥檚 signature health law. The fast-track reconciliation process 鈥 a rare budget procedure that would allow Republicans to jam sweeping legislation through the Senate with a simple majority 鈥 is quickly turning into a free-for-all. Dozens of members have different ideas for how to take advantage of the powerful tool, but the two chambers鈥 leaders will have to settle on a single set of priorities if they want to deploy it. (Bade and Sherman, 4/16)
A day after a Senate committee unanimously approve an Iran review bill, party leaders were back to bickering: Majority Leader Mitch McConnell accused Democrats of aiding doctors and shunning sex trafficking victims. Minority Leader Harry Reid shot back that his counterpart鈥檚 complaints were 鈥渋llogical鈥 and devoid of facts. (Everett, 4/15)