Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
GOP Lawmakers See Different Opportunities In Budget Reconciliation
Maine Sen. Susan Collins wants to use it for a tax overhaul. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, for entitlement reform and a massive 鈥減ro-growth鈥� agenda. And Rep. Bill Flores of Texas, who chairs the conservative Republican Study Committee, insists it should be used only to gut President Barack Obama鈥檚 signature health law. The fast-track reconciliation process 鈥� a rare budget procedure that would allow Republicans to jam sweeping legislation through the Senate with a simple majority 鈥� is quickly turning into a free-for-all. Dozens of members have different ideas for how to take advantage of the powerful tool, but the two chambers鈥� leaders will have to settle on a single set of priorities if they want to deploy it. (Bade and Sherman, 4/16)
A day after a Senate committee unanimously approve an Iran review bill, party leaders were back to bickering: Majority Leader Mitch McConnell accused Democrats of aiding doctors and shunning sex trafficking victims. Minority Leader Harry Reid shot back that his counterpart鈥檚 complaints were 鈥渋llogical鈥� and devoid of facts. (Everett, 4/15)