Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
White House: Trump Is Scheduled For A Medical Exam This Month
AP: Trump Is Getting Another Medical Exam This Month
President Donald Trump is scheduled to see doctors for a medical and dental checkup this month — his fourth publicized visit to medical experts since returning to office — in what the White House describes as an annual physical and regular preventive care. Trump, who turns 80 next month and was the oldest person elected U.S. president, will see his doctors at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on May 26, the White House said in a brief statement Monday evening. (Binkley, 5/12)
The New York Times: RFK Jr. Is Driving A Vast Inquiry Into Vaccines, Despite His Public Silence
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has said little publicly about vaccines in recent months, at the behest of a White House worried that his unpopular stance will hurt Republicans in November’s midterm elections. But he has not abandoned his quest for evidence that they are unsafe. Working behind the scenes, Mr. Kennedy is spearheading an intense push, across health agencies under his purview, for government scientists and federal data contractors to examine his long-held theory that vaccines are helping to fuel an epidemic of chronic disease, according to multiple people familiar with the effort. (Jewett and Gay Stolberg, 5/11)
Politico: Makary Keeps Working Amid Questions Over His FDA Future
FDA Commissioner Marty Makary is still doing his job — at least for now. The embattled agency chief remained in place Monday, with public speaking engagements on tap this week, despite an apparent White House plan to move him out of his position. Makary has not been directly asked for his resignation, according to a person familiar with the matter granted anonymity to discuss his tenure. And his inner circle at the FDA have not left their jobs, the person added. (Lim and Cai, 5/11)
ABC News: FDA's Authorization Of 2 Fruit-Flavored Vapes Raises Concerns Among Pediatricians, Advocacy Groups
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's recent authorization of the first fruit-flavored e-cigarettes approved for sale to adults 21 and over in the U.S. is raising concerns from pediatrician groups and advocacy organizations about the potential impact on minors. Last week, the FDA approved four new devices made by Glas, including classic menthol, fresh menthol, gold, and sapphire pods. "Gold" is mango flavored and "sapphire" is blueberry flavored. (Romero and Benadjaoud, 5/11)
