Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Cuts To Biosecurity In Trump Budget Leaves 'The American People Very Vulnerable,' Experts Say
The New York Times: Trump’s Proposed Budget Cuts Trouble Bioterrorism Experts
President Trump has promoted his first budget proposal as placing one mission above all else — keeping America safe. But the president has drawn a narrow definition of national security, and one aspect of defense would actually receive less money: protecting the nation from deadly pathogens, man-made or natural. To help offset a 10 percent increase in military spending, much of the government would take serious hits, including agencies tasked with biosecurity. (Baumgaertner, 5/28)
San Diego Union-Tribune: Biomedical Research Would Be Hit By Trump's Proposed Budget
Despite some good aspects, President Trump's proposed 2018 budget includes cuts in biomedical programs that would cripple life science research and industry, experts say. "It's a horrendous proposal," said Dr. Eric Topol, a cardiologist-geneticist with Scripps Health in San Diego. "Every way you look at it, it spells trouble." The proposed cuts also would come at a time when biomedical research has become extraordinarily productive in finding new treatments and insights into human health, Topol said. (Fikes, 5/26)
The Associated Press: Trump Budget Draws Ire, Concern From Minority Communities
Advocates for minority communities say the budget proposed by President Donald Trump will hit them hard if it's adopted. Trump's spending plan for the budget year beginning Oct. 1 generally makes deep cuts in safety-net programs. Those include Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program and Social Security's disability program. The White House says its budget would put the country back on track for a healthy economy. (5/29)
Stat: Trump Tweet On Health Care Spending At Odds With White House Budget
President Trump urged spending more on health care, in a tweet Sunday night — to “make it the best anywhere” — even as his administration’s budget proposal last week called for broad cuts to health programs, including Medicaid, public health, and medical research funding. It’s unclear what, if anything, Trump’s tweet means for his administration’s spending priorities. The White House declined to elaborate. The president also wrote that “Obamacare is dead — the Republicans will do much better!” (Gil, 5/29)
The Washington Post: Trump Calls For More Spending On Health Care So It’s ‘The Best Anywhere,’ But He Just Proposed Big Cuts
President Trump on Sunday evening called for more spending on health care and said his plan to overhaul the tax code “is actually ahead of schedule” — two statements that are at odds with the budget proposal he unveiled just last week. The statements came as part of a blizzard of Twitter posts the president made after he returned from his first foreign trip. (Paletta, 5/28)
