Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
New Limits On Voting Rights Act May Upend Racial Makeup Of Congress
The Supreme Court’s decision limiting the Voting Rights Act inflames an already raging partisan war over congressional districts and is expected to lead to a House with far fewer Black members. Republicans could use Wednesday’s ruling to capture a few more seats in this fall’s midterm elections but do not have enough time to immediately take full advantage of it. For the 2028 elections, they could capitalize on the decision to give themselves a dozen or so seats. (Marley, Cox and Meyer, 4/30)
Veterans of the civil rights movement and others said the Supreme Court decision felt like a bleak end to decades of gains in Black representation in the region. (Burch and Cochrane, 4/30)
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry (R) told Republican House candidates Wednesday that he plans to suspend next month’s primary elections so state lawmakers can pass a new congressional map first, according to two people with knowledge of the calls. ... Landry’s announcement to suspend the May 16 primary could come as early as Friday — one day before early voting is to begin, according to people familiar with his plans who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations. Election officials sent ballots to overseas voters weeks ago. It’s unclear whether the governor’s suspension would apply only to primaries for the six House seats, or include other elections, including the heated Senate primary that pits incumbent Sen. Bill Cassidy (R) against Rep. Julia Letlow (R). Louisiana has six House seats, two of which are held by Democrats. (Merica and Marley, 4/29)
In related news —
About nine in 10 voters said the issue of health costs will influence their decision to vote and who to vote for in the 2026 midterm elections, with majorities saying it will have a “major impact” on both areas. While majorities of voters across parties said health care costs will impact their vote in November, the issue was more pressing for Democrats and independent voters. Overall, voters did not give very high marks to the Trump administration. (Choi, 4/29)
In Wisconsin, a liberal candidate for state Supreme Court won her April race by 20 points after highlighting her work supporting abortion rights. In Georgia, two liberal candidates running for their state’s highest court are running on their opposition to the state’s six-week abortion ban. And in California, a Planned Parenthood leader is running for Congress as a Democrat after Republicans slashed funding for the organization last year. (Panetta, 4/29)
