Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Trump Administration's No-Bond Detainment Policy For Immigrants Blocked A Ninth Time
The Washington Sun: Appeals Court Compares ICE Detention To Japanese Internment In Scathing Ruling
A federal appeals court compared the Trump administration’s no-bond immigrant detention policy to the mass internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, in a scathing decision on Thursday. In the 2-1 ruling, 4th Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Nicole Berner argued that the administration had asked the court to “interpret certain amendments” made to federal immigration laws in 1996 in order to eliminate bond hearings for individuals in Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention. (Monnin, 9/10)
ProPublica: U.S. Absent From Group Discussing Wartime Protections For Civilians
Three years ago, the Defense Department led an ambitious international effort to better protect civilians during combat, a movement built on the bloody lessons of Afghanistan and Iraq. The Pentagon created a network with European partners, driving the creation of shared standards. Civilian harm experts described the moment as a “unique opportunity” for American leadership by example. (Allam and Rose, 9/10)
The Washington Post: RFK Jr. Uses Military Aircraft As He Campaigns For GOP In Midterms
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was given access to military aircraft for his travels across the country, including as part of Republicans’ push ahead of the midterm elections, according to four people who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss his travel. Kennedy flew aboard a military jet as he joined Iowa GOP candidates in that state last month, two of those people said. He has sparingly used this more costly form of transport for other trips since he became health secretary, several people said, although they declined to specify those trips. (Roubein, Diamond and Ba Tran, 9/10)
The Hill: Surgeon General Nominee Held Soda, Pharma Industry Stocks
President Trump’s surgeon general nominee reported investments in the tobacco company Philip Morris International as well as beverage companies Monster Beverage Corp., Coca Cola Co. and Pepsi Co., according to financial disclosures released Thursday. Nicole Saphier disclosed these investments in an ethics agreement, where she pledged to completely or partially divest from those companies, as well as shed stock holdings with a host of pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry leaders — including Eli Lilly, Biogen, Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Merck, AbbVie and more. (Weixel, 9/10)
KFF Health News: KFF Health News’ ‘Letters To The Editor’: Readers Wrestle With Healthcare Inequalities And Want A Word With Congress
Why can members of Congress remain on full taxpayer-funded salaries during prolonged medical absences while millions of working Americans cannot afford to get sick? Sen. Mitch McConnell’s current extended medical absence brings that disparity into sharp focus. He has missed dozens of Senate votes while continuing to receive his $174,000 taxpayer-funded salary. (9/11)
In military health news —
Healthcare Dive: Veterans Affairs Taps Amwell For Telehealth Revamp
The Department of Veterans Affairs has selected Amwell to facilitate telehealth delivery across the agency. Amwell’s platform, which mainly offers virtual health visits, will help veterans connect with VA providers or other specialists in clinic. It will also support other telehealth services, such as virtual care delivery and care coordination within VA hospitals. (Vaidya, 9/10)
Military.com: Trump Order Could Cut VA Disability Claim Times By 30 Days
President Donald Trump signed an executive order this week aimed at speeding veterans' access to their benefits. Implementation will require the Defense Department and the Department of Veterans Affairs to share military records faster, a change the VA projects could cut disability-claim processing times for recently separated service members by 20 to 30 days. (Gramegna, 9/11)
Military Times: Navy Not Doing Enough To Study Long-Term Brain Damage In Aviators, Lawmakers Say
House lawmakers released key findings Tuesday from an investigation into the Navy’s response to aviators dealing with flight-related brain injuries. The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform said the Navy has not done enough to research and mitigate potential neurological damage for Navy pilots despite being aware of documented mental health concerns and suicides within the F/A-18 community. (Ceder, 9/9)
Military.com: Mother Of Marine Who Enlisted After 9/11, Died From Addiction Calls For Mandatory Civilian Reintegration Plan For Veterans
Sandra Pedroso lost her son to the "invisible wounds of military service," dedicating herself to making sure others don't experience the same loss. (Mordowanec, 9/11)
More from Capitol Hill —
Modern Healthcare: Congress Faces Key Healthcare Legislation Deadlines In December
The last major healthcare bills Congress passed were to cut more than $1 trillion from the health system with last summer’s tax law and to extend a raft of expiring programs. With the exception of taking a whack at pharmacy benefit managers, lawmakers have left every other important healthcare proposal on the shelf while feuding over immigration, war powers and other issues with little bearing on the health sector. (McAuliff, 9/10)
Modern Healthcare: Congress Urged To Overhaul No Surprises Act By Unions, Employers
A group of nearly 70 employers, unions, patient advocates and other organizations is calling on Congress to rework the No Surprises Act of 2020. The letter, led by left-leaning advocacy group Families USA and cosigned by 67 organizations, asked congressional leaders to address concerns about the law’s Independent Dispute Resolution process. Under the No Surprises Act, IDR arbitrators determine appropriate out-of-network reimbursement rates, with claims predominantly filed by providers or their aligned companies. (Tepper, 9/10)
KFF Health News: KFF Health News’ ‘What The Health?’: Anger Over Health Costs Clouds Midterms
Affordability is top of mind for most voters this fall, and the high cost of healthcare is near the top of affordability complaints. And the news keeps getting worse: All indications are that insurance premiums will go up and benefits will go down in 2027. Meanwhile, a U.S. appeals court this week heard arguments in a case that could severely limit the availability of the abortion pill mifepristone, not just in states with abortion bans but also in those where abortion is still legal. (Rovner, 9/10)
