Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Battle Was Brewing Behind Closed Doors At VA Long Before Travel Scandal Erupted
ProPublica: The Trump Administration Goes To War — With Itself —Over The VA
Unlike some Trump appointees, who took the reins of agencies with track records of opposing the very mission of the organization, Shulkin is a technocratic Obama holdover. He not only participated in the past administration, but defends the VA’s much-maligned health care system. ... But others in the administration want a much more drastic change: They seek to privatize vets’ health care. (Arnsdorf, 2/16)
In other news —
Politico: Fat, Unhealthy Americans Threaten Trump’s Defense Surge
The Trump administration's ambitious new military buildup is at risk of being hobbled before it even starts — by a dwindling pool of young Americans who are fit to serve. Nearly three-quarters of Americans age 17 to 24 are ineligible for the military due to obesity, other health problems, criminal backgrounds or lack of education, according to government data. That's a harsh reality check for the Pentagon’s plan to recruit tens of thousands of new soldiers, sailors, pilots and cyber specialists over the next five years. (Bender, 2/19)
