Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Intra-Party Scuffles Undercutting Republicans' Health Care Momentum
The scathing nonpartisan analysis of Republicans’ Obamacare repeal plan is hardening GOP divisions and raising doubts about whether the party in Congress can meet a self-imposed deadline to pass legislation by early April. (Everett and Bade, 3/14)
The House GOP effort to repeal and replace Obamacare appeared in deep trouble Tuesday, underscoring the limits of a party that has traditionally put a priority on cutting taxes and government spending over digging into the details of safeguarding Americans’ healthcare. Many Republicans in Congress remain in outright revolt over the bill, warning it does not have enough votes to pass the House or Senate against stiff Democratic resistance. (Mascaro, 3/15)
The politics of the health care debate have become byzantine. You have conservatives upset the Republican bill isn’t aggressive enough, moderates worried their constituents could be at risk, leadership eager to push the legislation through so they can move on, and a President Trump-shaped enigma at the center. ... STAT asked a half-dozen lobbyists and observers to name the most important people in the debate to watch right now. Of course, House Speaker Paul Ryan (the face of the plan) and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (who must contend with complex rules and a slim margin for error to pass the bill) made almost every list. (Scott, 3/15)