Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Biden Aims A Shot At The Unvaxxed, Lays Blame For Ongoing Crisis
The Hill: Biden Comes Out Punching On COVID-19
President Biden is done pussy-footing around on COVID-19 vaccination. And he’s betting most Americans are too. The pugnacious speech Biden delivered late Thursday afternoon marked an abrupt change of tone. It could be a political turning point. Biden, in the past, has favored a patient nudging of people toward vaccination. That’s gone now. In its place is a willingness to hammer vaccine skeptics for their irresponsibility. (Stanage, 9/9)
Axios: Biden Blames Unvaccinated As He Imposes Mandates On 100 Million Americans
President Biden says he's met the enemy — and it's America's unvaccinated. The majority of U.S. sentiment may be with him. But Biden's still taking a major political risk, and he and his team know it. He's testing business leaders' resolve, putting Democrats' standing in swing states and districts on the line ahead of 2022's midterm elections and tempting a tsunami of litigation over new requirements that could touch 100 million Americans. (Nichols and Talev, 9/9)
AP: Biden's War On Virus Becomes War On Unvaccinated
They’re a source of frustration. A risk to their fellow citizens. A threat to the nation’s economic recovery. President Joe Biden is trying to concentrate the anger of the nation’s inoculated majority against the stubborn 25% of eligible Americans who remain unvaccinated against COVID-19. Nearly 8 months after declaring “war” on the coronavirus as he took office, Biden on Friday announced far-reaching new federal requirements that could force millions to get shots. In doing so, he embraced those who haven’t rolled up their sleeves as a new foe amid a devastating surge in cases that is straining the nation’s health system and constricting its economy. (Miller, 9/10)
