Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Biden Transition Team Gets Started On Health Issues
The Hill: Azar Says He Has Met With Biden Transition Team
Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar said Wednesday that he has met with President-elect Joe Biden’s transition team and that he wants to ensure a smooth and professional transition process. Asked on CNN whether he would meet with Biden’s nominee to lead HHS, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra (D), Azar said that he would be open to such a meeting and that he would to “anything I need to do to make sure no balls are dropped in terms of protecting the American people.” (Chalfant, 12/9)
AP: Trump Virus Coordinator Birx Seeks Role In Biden Government
When Dr. Deborah Birx was brought into President Donald Trump’s orbit to help fight the coronavirus pandemic, she had a sterling reputation as a former U.S. Army physician, a globally recognized AIDS researcher and a rare Obama administration holdover. Less than 10 months later, as Trump’s time in office nears its end, the White House coronavirus task force coordinator’s reputation is frayed. And after serving every president since Ronald Reagan, her future in the incoming Joe Biden administration is uncertain. (Madhani and Miller, 12/10)
Roll Call: Biden Faces Pressure On Women’s Health, LGBT Issues
Progressive groups are already pushing President-elect Joe Biden to reverse a number of Trump administration health policies next year, with an emphasis on those that affect low-income, minority and LGBT communities. Biden announced a number of key health policy picks Monday, including California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, his choice to serve as Health and Human Services secretary. (Raman, 12/9)
In updates on Biden's pick for HHS secretary —
Stat: Becerra Took More Campaign Cash From Health Groups Than Any Other Industry
Xavier Becerra, President-elect Biden’s pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, has taken more campaign cash from the doctors and other health care groups he will soon regulate than from any other industry. Over the course of his career in the House of Representatives, Becerra pulled in more than $1 million from political action committees affiliated with doctors and other health professionals, more than $300,000 from those affiliated with hospitals and nursing homes, and more than $300,000 from those affiliated with pharmaceutical companies and the manufacturers of other health care products, according to data from the Center for Responsive Politics. (Florko, 12/10)
KHN: With Becerra As HHS Pick, California Plots More Progressive Health Care Agenda
President-elect Joe Biden didn’t back “Medicare for All” during his campaign. Yet his choice of California Attorney General Xavier Becerra to serve in the nation’s top health care post is fueling California lawmakers’ most progressive health care dreams, including pursuing a government-run single-payer system at the state level. (Hart and Young, 12/10)
