Mar 10, 2017

Nation's 2nd largest health insurer backs AHCA

Matthew Hurst / Flickr cc

Anthem CEO Joseph Swedish told top House Republicans in a letter obtained by Morning Consult Thursday that the company supports the Obamacare repeal bill, and urged lawmakers to move the process forward "as quickly as possible."

"Without these changes, the market will continue to deteriorate in 2018 and therefore I am writing to offer my support for moving this process forward as quickly as possible," wrote Swedish.

Swedish's support comes as a series of doctors and hospital groups have railed against the proposed American Health Care Act as it's currently written. But Swedish argued that several provisions of the bill are "essential."

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Axios

33 mins ago - Politics & Policy

American carnage

Protesters race up a hill to avoid tear gas in Philadelphia, June 1. Photo: Mark Makela/Getty Images

The list of victims has swiftly grown since George Floyd died in police custody just eight days ago.

The big picture: Protests against police brutality have turned into a showcase of police brutality, with tear gas and rubber bullets deployed against crowds. The police have the arsenals at their disposal, but we're also seeing law enforcement officers becoming targets.

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Axios

37 mins ago - Politics & Policy

McConnell blocks resolution condemning Trump's actions against peaceful protesters

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) blocked a resolution introduced by Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Tuesday that would have condemned the use of tear gas and rubber bullets against peaceful protesters outside the White House on Monday in order to allow President Trump to walk to St. John's Church.

What they're saying: "Justice for black Americans in the face of unjust violence, and peace for our country in the face of looting, riots, and domestic terror. Those are the two issues Americans want addressed," McConnell said on the Senate floor.

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Ursula Perano

49 mins ago - Politics & Policy

George W. Bush breaks silence on George Floyd

Goerge Bush in Michigan in 2009. Photo: Bill Pugliano/Getty Images

Former President George W. Bush (R) wrote in a statement Tuesday that he and his wife, Laura, are "anguished" by the death of George Floyd, and said that "it is time for America to examine our tragic failures."

Why it matters: It's a stark juxtaposition when compared to fellow Republican President Trump's response to current civil unrest. While Trump has called for justice in Floyd's death, he's also condemned protestors and threatened to deploy military personnel if demonstrations continue.

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