Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Biden's, Democrats' Health Care Plans Aim High
Axios: Democrats, Led By Biden, Are Aiming Big On Health Care
Democrats are exploring adding a huge array of health policies to upcoming spending legislation, ranging from further enhancing Affordable Care Act subsidies to allowing Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices. The next few months may give Democrats the opportunity to walk the walk after campaigning extensively on health care for years, and to plug some of the glaring holes in the system that were exposed by the pandemic. (Owens, 4/13)
Los Angeles Times: Democrats Seek To Undo Trump Regulations On Methane, Healthcare
In the House, representatives are pushing to overturn a Department of Health and Human Services rule passed the day before Trump left office that would give the agency five years to review thousands of regulations. The agency currently has more than 18,000 regulations. Any regulations not reviewed by that time would expire. They do not have a Senate sponsor yet. Biden delayed its implementation until 2022 to give ongoing lawsuits over the rule a chance to end. (Wire, 4/13)
The Wall Street Journal: Biden Infrastructure Plan Would Fund Shift Toward Home Healthcare For Seniors
President Biden’s $2.3 trillion infrastructure plan would devote $400 billion to providing seniors more medical care at home, with the aim of shifting treatment away from institutions and hospitals as the U.S. faces a looming surge in its aging population. Democrats say the measure is needed because the healthcare system is unprepared for the unprecedented growth in the senior population and the bill would boost incomes for the many women and people in minority groups who provide the services. (Armour, 4/12)
In other Biden administration news —
The Washington Post: Biden Picks Anne Milgram, Former N.J. Attorney General, To Lead DEA
President Biden has selected Anne Milgram, a former state attorney general, prosecutor and longtime advocate for reform of the criminal justice system, to lead the Drug Enforcement Administration, the White House announced on Monday. Milgram, who once declared, “there’s no system that is more old-school and broken and problematic than the criminal justice system,” currently works as a lawyer in private practice, and as a law professor and podcaster. Milgram did not respond to a request for comment. The Washington Post first reported Milgram’s selection. (Diamond and Barrett, 4/12)
WMFE: FEMA Taking Applications For COVID-Related Funeral Aid
People with loved ones who died of COVID-19 in 2020 can ask the federal government for help paying for the funerals. FEMA will start accepting applications for funeral assistance on Monday. Applicants must provide a death certificate as well as funeral home contracts and receipts. (4/12)
