Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Biden Administration May Offer Families Separated At Border $450,000 Per Person To Settle Suits
The Wall Street Journal: U.S. In Talks To Pay Hundreds Of Millions To Families Separated At Border
The Biden administration is in talks to offer immigrant families that were separated during the Trump administration around $450,000 a person in compensation, according to people familiar with the matter, as several agencies work to resolve lawsuits filed on behalf of parents and children who say the government subjected them to lasting psychological trauma. The U.S. Departments of Justice, Homeland Security, and Health and Human Services are considering payments that could amount to close to $1 million a family, though the final numbers could shift, the people familiar with the matter said. Most of the families that crossed the border illegally from Mexico to seek asylum in the U.S. included one parent and one child, the people said. Many families would likely get smaller payouts, depending on their circumstances, the people said. (Hackman, Viswanatha and Gurman, 10/28)
In more news from the Biden administration —
Modern Healthcare: Biden To Nix HHS Regulation 'Sunset' Rule
The Health and Human Services Department plans to repeal a regulation that would eliminate department rules after 10 years, according to a Federal Register notice published Thursday. The department finalized that regulation in the waning days of President Donald Trump's term. The policy, which never fully took effect, would have sunset HHS regulations after 10 years unless the department reviewed them and justified leaving them in place. President Joe Biden's administration delayed enforcement of the rule in March; the new HHS notice spells its imminent demise. (Hellmann, 10/28)
Modern Healthcare: Biden's DOJ Will Prioritize Fighting White-Collar Crime, Top Official Says
Healthcare is likely to be more impacted by the department's new stance than other industries because it's much more heavily regulated. The stakes are also higher in healthcare because companies often depend on revenue from government-sponsored programs like Medicare more so than in other sectors. Thursday's speech should push healthcare companies to perform a "self-examination" of their compliance and auditing protocols, said John Carney, co-leader of BakerHostetler's White Collar Enforcement team and DOJ's former securities fraud chief. "It's time for your annual physical," he said. "It's time for a checkup for these companies." (Bannow, 10/28)
The Hill: Biden Appoints Sara Minkara As US Special Adviser On International Disability Rights
President Biden announced on Thursday that he has appointed Sara Minkara to serve as U.S. special adviser on international disability rights. The senior-level position, which is housed within the State Department, is meant to lead the U.S.’s strategy when it comes to promoting and protecting the rights of individuals with disabilities throughout the world and in the department, according to a statement from the White House. (Schnell, 10/28)
The Baltimore Sun: Federal Officials And Baltimore Leaders Tout Broader Approach To Reducing Opioid Overdose Deaths
Federal officials announced in Baltimore Wednesday they will invest more in nationwide harm-reduction strategies to reduce drug-related deaths after Maryland and the United States saw record-breaking numbers of fatal overdoses last year. It’s part of a national effort to tackle the growing problem, and brought senior Biden administration officials and Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott to the Healthcare for the Homeless building in Penns-Fallsway. (Davis, 10/28)
