Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Dems Accuse GOP Of 'Cynical' Opioid-Funding Ploy In Stopgap Bill
Morning Consult: Opioid Funding In CR May Be Less Than Expected
The administration will only receive a fraction of the $37 million that is provided in a short-term continuing resolution to implement a recently-passed law addressing opioids, Democrats say. Republicans and Democrats disagree over how much new opioid funding — which both sides support — is included as part of the stopgap spending measure. The GOP-backed continuing resolution to keep the government funded through Dec. 9 was introduced on Thursday. A procedural vote on the measure is slated for Tuesday. (McIntire, 9/23)
The Hill: Spending Fight Shifts From Zika To Flint
Democrats in both chambers are threatening to reject the GOP's latest budget proposal because it ignores the city's lead contamination but provides relief for flood victims in Louisiana. Republican leaders will have five days to avert a shutdown when they return to Capitol Hill next week. (Ferris, 9/26)
The Hill: Black Caucus Demands Flint Funding From GOP
Democrats in both chambers have threatened to reject the GOP’s latest budget proposal because it ignores the city’s lead contamination but provides relief for flood victims in Louisiana. The letter from caucus chairman G.K. Butterfield (D-N.C.), along with two other members from Michigan, does not specifically say they will vote against the spending bill if it doesn’t include the money for Flint. (Ferris, 9/23)
And in other news from Capitol Hill —
Morning Consult: Fight Over Pediatric Bill Ends In Tepid Compromise
A program that encourages the development of treatments for rare pediatric diseases could be extended until December under a compromise between liberal stalwarts Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and sponsors of a bill to extend the program for five years. As of now, there is language in a pending continuing resolution to extend the program through Dec. 9, the same time period as the stopgap spending bill. The Senate is slated to take a procedural vote on the bill, which Democrats oppose for other reasons, on Tuesday. (Owens, 9/22)
