Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Biden, Obama Reunite At White House To Promote Affordable Care Act
Former President Barack Obama returned to the White House on Tuesday for the first time since Jan. 20, 2017, to celebrate how his former vice president, now President Joe Biden, has been able to expand benefits under their signature health care law. Since Biden was inaugurated, Democrats have enjoyed a rare moment where the 2010 health care law is not a political football. The law was hotly contested throughout Obama’s presidency and Republicans spent much of then-President Donald Trump’s administration trying to roll back its protections as insurers left the markets and chaos reigned. (Cohen and Lesniewski, 4/5)
With hugs, laughs and good-natured ribbing, Barack Obama on Tuesday returned to the White House for the first time in more than five years to savor the 12th anniversary of his signature health care law and give a boost to President Joe Biden’s efforts to expand it. The Affordable Care Act has survived repeated repeal attempts by Republicans. (Miller, Alonso-Zaldivar and Superville, 4/5)
Obama jokingly referred to Biden as "vice president" before correcting himself, inspiring a salute from Biden, then offered broad praise of the Affordable Care Act, whose passage he described as a "high point" of his time in office. "If you can get millions of people health coverage and better protection, it is, to quote a famous American, a pretty ... big deal," Obama said to hoots of laughter from the crowd, referencing an off-color Biden remark picked up by a hot mic when the law was signed. (Bose and Mason, 4/5)