Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Senate GOP Walking Tightrope With Abortion, Planned Parenthood Language In Health Plan
Senators are debating what to do about retaining anti-abortion language in the House bill,聽which could violate Senate budget rules. Opponents have raised concerns about new tax credits in the bill, which could not be used to buy insurance that includes abortion coverage. A provision to聽defund Planned Parenthood is also vulnerable. The parliamentary question is whether these would be considered non-budgetary provisions that violate the Byrd rule, which prohibits the inclusion of extraneous issues that don't have a fiscal impact. Republicans argue it would be a 鈥渢erm and condition" of the tax credit, which is allowed under the Byrd rule. (Raman, 6/14)
Past KHN coverage:聽
U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn, a Colorado Springs Republican, has penned a letter signed by 70 members of the U.S. House asking GOP leadership in the Senate to ensure 鈥渙ur pro-life priorities鈥 are included in any health care legislation they draft to replace the Affordable Care Act...The request was addressed to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, as well as the chairs of the Senate budget, health and finance committees. Colorado鈥檚 other House Republicans 鈥 U.S. Reps.聽Mike Coffman, Ken Buck and Scott Tipton 鈥 did not sign the letter. (Paul, 6/14)