Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
As Left-Wing Chases 'Medicare For All' Dream, This Senator Is Taking More Pragmatic Approach
While Bernie Sanders readies a single-payer health care bill that the GOP is itching to attack, one of his Democratic colleagues is proposing a step toward that goal that could give cover to the party鈥檚 vulnerable incumbents. Sen. Chris Murphy, a potential presidential contender, is working on legislation expected this fall that would let individuals and businesses buy into Medicare as part of Obamacare鈥檚 exchanges. As Sanders and other potential challengers to President Donald Trump flock to 鈥淢edicare for all,鈥 embracing a top liberal priority before 2020, Murphy is taking a conspicuously more pragmatic approach designed to get Democrats closer to that lofty but potentially unobtainable goal. (Schor, 9/7)
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) said Thursday she is co-sponsoring Sen. Bernie Sanders's (I-Vt.) "Medicare for All bill," the latest Democrat to back a signature Sanders campaign issue. "I believe it鈥檚 time to take a step back and ask: what is the best way to deliver high quality, low cost health care to all Americans?" 聽Warren, often considered a potential presidential candidate in 2020,聽said in a statement Thursday. (Savransky, 9/7)