In Joint Address To Congress, Trump Touts Mainstays Of GOP Leadership’s Replacement Plan
President Donald Trump voiced support for key Republican-backed policy elements such as tax credits, HSAs and selling insurance across state lines. Meanwhile, Democrats offered a pointed rebuttal, saying Republicans believe that some people "just don't deserve health care."
The Associated Press:
Trump Gives GOP Leaders Rallying Cry, Roadmap For Change
President Donald Trump gave Republican congressional leaders a rallying cry and even a roadmap as they try to push through a sweeping and divisive agenda on health care, taxes and more. In his first address to a joint session of Congress, Trump said largely what GOP leaders were hoping to hear Tuesday night, staying on-message and talking in optimistic tones, even weighing in at one point to settle a brewing dispute over how to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. (Werner, 3/1)
Los Angeles Times:
Trump Lays Out Five Principles For Replacing Obamacare In His First Speech To Congress
President Trump didn’t repeat his promise to deliver a “terrific” replacement for Obamacare within days Tuesday evening. But the president did outline a series of “principles” that he said Congress should follow as it repeals the Affordable Care Act and develops an alternative. (Levey, 2/28)
The Wall Street Journal:
Donald Trump Asks Congress To Unite Behind Health Care, Tax Overhauls
Mr. Trump repeated his promise to overturn the 2010 health law, at a time when the party’s factions are threatening to withhold support for the effort if their demands aren’t met. He said a new health-care plan should ensure coverage for pre-existing conditions and minimize disruptions for people with coverage under Obamacare. (Bender and Radnofsky, 3/1)
Los Angeles Times:
Trump Lays Out Ambitious Plans For Healthcare And Immigration In A Disciplined Speech To Congress
His vow to rewrite health policy epitomized the challenges ahead in turning rhetoric into reality. Trump promised to replace Obamacare “with reforms that expand choice, increase access, lower costs, and at the same time, provide better healthcare.” The issue has vexed lawmakers from both parties who have struggled to provide both quality and access without driving up costs. (Bierman, Memoli and Bennett, 2/28)
The New York Times:
Health Care Is Front And Center In Democrats’ Response To Trump Address
In responding to President Trump’s address to Congress on Tuesday, Democrats had to navigate between the expectations of their angry base in America’s cities and the need to appeal to a broader array of voters in parts of the country where the president is far more popular. The party handed that task to former Gov. Steven L. Beshear of Kentucky. ... Mr. Beshear noted that the Americans who had gained health insurance under the Affordable Care Act, a law he championed in his state, were the sort of “friends and neighbors” he surrounded himself with in the diner. (Martin, 3/1)
The New York Times:
Desperate For Presidential Leadership, Republicans Find Little
Congressional Republicans, racked by divisions over health care, taxes and spending, are increasingly desperate for leadership from the White House to unite the party and point the way toward consensus. But presidential leadership does not appear to be forthcoming, leaving the party largely paralyzed at a moment it had thought would be full of legislative activity. (Steinhauer and Huetteman, 2/28)
Politico:
Republicans Fight Over What Trump Meant On Obamacare
House Republican leaders were ebullient after President Donald Trump’s first address to Congress Tuesday night, convinced that their proposal to repeal and replace Obamacare had just gotten the presidential seal of approval. Conservatives who abhor the GOP leadership plan saw just the opposite. (Kim and Bade, 3/1)
San Francisco Chronicle:
Bernie Sanders Laughs At President Saying That 'Nobody Knew Healthcare Could Be So Complicated'
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., burst into laughter during an interview when asked about President Donald Trump's recent claim that "nobody knew that health care could be so complicated." Trump made the comment in a White House meeting with dozens of governors Monday. While discussing his promise to completely overhaul the Affordable Care Act, the president told the governors, "It's an unbelievably complex subject. Nobody knew that health care could be so complicated." (Martichoux, 2/28)
The Desert Sun:
Desert AIDS Project CEO Joins Congressman Raul Ruiz For Trump Speech
U.S. Rep. Raul Ruiz joined fellow Democrats in Washington, D.C. as they madea statement about health care during President Trump’s speech Tuesday before a joint session of Congress.Joining Ruiz for the speech was David Brinkman, the CEO of Desert AIDS Project in Palm Springs. Ruiz, an emergency room doctor whose district includes the Coachella Valley, and Brinkman have been strong advocates for the Affordable Care Act, which Trump and Republicans have vowed to repeal. Trump, on Tuesday, again called for an end to the law commonly known as Obamacare. Trump said Congress should work to ensure that any transition is smooth for people enrolled in health insurance through government exchanges and guarantee access to care for people with pre-existing conditions. Stopping insurance companies from declining to cover people with existing health issues is one of the ACA’s more popular mandates. (Newkirk and Marx, 2/28)