Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Safety Accreditors Face Stricter Standards, More Monitoring Under CMS Rule
Modern Healthcare: CMS Rule Toughens Oversight For Accrediting Organizations
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services finalized a rule strengthening oversight of accreditors. The rule is meant to beef up accountability and quality among a handful of organizations responsible for managing health and safety among Medicare- and Medicaid-participating providers and suppliers. “The work accrediting organizations do is vital, but it also raises an age-old question: who watches the watchmen? The answer is, we do,” said CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz in a Friday news release regarding the final rule. (Early, 6/12)
Politico: RFK Jr.'s Olive Branch Isn't Winning Over His Staffers
When you call your employees a “sock puppet” of industry, blame them for bungling the pandemic, and fire thousands of their colleagues, it’s not easy to take it back. But Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his health department deputies have pared back the insults this year. They’ve even occasionally had nice things to say about the civil servants who work for them. They’re hiring again after the DOGEing of 2025. The shift coincides with a broader shakeup of agency leadership that the department has said is about producing better results for the American people. (Gardner, 6/13)
KFF Health News’ ‘On Air’: Journalists Highlight Medical Neglect In ICE Detention, RFK Jr. Antidepressant Comments
KFF Health News chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner discussed Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s position on antidepressants on WAMU’s 1A on June 10. (6/13)
AP: Officials Rule Haitian Asylum Seeker's Death A Homicide
A medical examiner has ruled the death of a Haitian asylum seeker after being released from federal custody a homicide. An attorney representing her family said he expects her relatives to sue Immigration and Customs Enforcement in connection with her death. (Dura, 6/13)
Sen. Mitch McConnell is back in the hospital —
ABC News: Sen. Mitch McConnell Hospitalized With Undisclosed Condition, Spokesperson Says
Sen. Mitch McConnell was admitted to the hospital on Sunday, according to a spokesperson. "Senator McConnell was admitted to the hospital this morning. He is receiving excellent care," the spokesperson said. ABC News has inquired about McConnell's condition and diagnosis but his team has not yet provided more information. This is the latest in a string of medical incidents that the 84-year-old senator has faced in recent years. (Pecorin, 6/14)
