Final Decision On Family Planning Grants Rests In Hands Of Official With History Of Abstinence-Only Advocacy
In prior years a group of officials made the call on distributing Title X funding. But this year it will fall to Valerie Huber, the acting deputy assistant secretary for population affairs at HHS. Women's health advocates are concerned about the "dangerous implications" of the "unprecedented" decision. Meanwhile, CMS Administrator Seema Verma is looking to overhaul the Trump administration's meaningful-use requirements after years of complaints.
Politico:
Abstinence Advocate Gets Final Say On Family Planning Dollars
A senior Trump health official who has promoted abstinence will be the final arbiter of which groups receive federal family planning funds — a change from prior years, when a group of officials made the decision, POLITICO has learned. Conservatives have long criticized the $286 million Title X program, which funds family planning services, mostly for low-income women, because it gives money to Planned Parenthood and other groups that provide abortions, even though there is a prohibition on using those dollars for abortions. (Haberkorn, 3/6)
Modern Healthcare:
Verma: Meaningful-Use Overhaul Is Coming
CMS Administrator Seema Verma said her agency is planning on overhauling its meaningful-use requirements, after years of provider complaints that the program was too burdensome and hard to implement. Specifically, the CMS is looking to reduce time and compliance costs associated with the program. Verma didn't provide any additional details during her speech at HIMSS' annual conference on Tuesday. A CMS spokesman did not return a request for comment on additional details on when or how meaningful use requirements would be overhauled. (Dickson, 3/6)
And in other news related to the administration —
The Hill:
HHS Official To Return To Work After Probe Into Inflammatory Social Media Posts: Report
A top official with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), who was placed on leave last month after his history of inflammatory social media posts was revealed, will return to his job this week, according to a new report. Politico reports Jon Cordova, the principal deputy assistant secretary for administration, will return to his position on Wednesday after he was placed on leave last month. (Carter, 3/6)
Politico:
HHS Official Who Spread Conspiracy Theories Allowed Back On Job
“Mr. Cordova has expressed sincere and deep apology for those statements and for any harm or injury he may have caused to readers of any of his social media posts,” an HHS spokesperson told POLITICO. ... Cordova, a former Trump campaign staffer, shared false stories about former President Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and others, CNN reported last month. (Diamond, 3/6)
The New York Times:
Spooked By Trump Proposals, Immigrants Abandon Public Nutrition Services
Immigrants hoping for permanent residence are dropping out of public nutrition programs even before prominent elements of the Trump administration’s proposed policy changes are enacted, fearful that participating could threaten their citizenship eligibility or put them at risk for deportation, according to program administrators. Statistics on participation in state and local efforts show fewer people are using an array of food programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (called WIC) as well as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (or SNAP, formerly known as food stamps) and food banks. (Baumgaertner, 3/6)
