Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
GOP Leaders Struggle To Unify Party Behind Spending Bill That Includes Medicare Cuts
A proposal under consideration by the House Budget Committee would shave that amount through cuts to federal safety-net programs like Medicare and changes to welfare benefits, lawmakers said. But conservatives wary of promises of future savings have said they wouldn鈥檛 go along unless those changes are made on spending bills this year. It isn鈥檛 clear that would be feasible. (Peterson, 2/24)
Senators from both parties reached a tentative deal on Wednesday to address the water crisis in Flint, Mich.鈥攁nd allow a long-stalled energy bill to move forward. A proposal by Sens. Debbie Stabenow (D., Mich.) and James Inhofe (R., Okla.) would authorize $100 million in emergency aid to fix and replace the city鈥檚 lead-contaminated pipes, as well as $70 million in loans to improve the city鈥檚 water infrastructure. The deal also authorizes $50 million nationwide to bolster lead-prevention programs and improve children鈥檚 health. (2/24)
