Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Flint Becomes Sticking Point In Congressional Funding Battle
The Wall Street Journal: Senate Moves Closer On Budget Bill Despite Divisions
Republicans and Democrats in the Senate have agreed on $1.1 billion in funding to combat the Zika virus as part of a stopgap spending bill needed to keep the government running beyond next Friday, but they remain divided over whether to include assistance for Flint, Mich., as part of that deal. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) introduced legislation Thursday that would keep the government funded through Dec. 9, but Democrats said they weren’t ready to sign on to a bill that included flood relief for certain states but doesn’t address the drinking water crisis in Flint. (Peterson, 9/22)
The Associated Press: McConnell Unveils Stopgap Spending Bill, Anti-Zika Funds
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said the stopgap measure was "clean" of controversies and he left out internet-related language demanded by Texas GOP Sen. Ted Cruz and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. But Democrats immediately blasted the proposal for failing to fund one of their top priorities: money to help Flint, Michigan, repair its lead-tainted water system. (9/22)
Reuters: Senate Splits Over Bill To Avoid Government Shutdown
"We Democrats cannot vote for that," said Senator Barbara Mikulski, top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee. (9/22)
Morning Consult: Senate GOP CR Includes $1.1B For Zika, $37M For Opioids
The spending stopgap measure Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell filed Thursday includes $1.1 billion in emergency funding for the government’s response to the Zika virus, as well as new funding through Dec. 9 to begin implementation of a law meant to curb the nation’s opioid crisis. ... The $1.1 billion for the Zika virus would provide $933 million to the Department of Health and Human Services, including $394 million to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for mosquito control and surveillance and $397 million to the National Institutes of Health for vaccine and diagnostic development. The measure would also provide $175.1 million for state and foreign operations and related programs. (McIntire, 9/22)
The Hill: Funding Bill Includes $37 Million For Opioid Crisis
The short-term funding bill that Senate Republicans released Thursday includes $37 million in new funding to fight the crisis of opioid addiction. Republicans said that the new money would give a head start to setting up programs in the recently passed Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), preventing the need to wait until the longer-term spending bill is considered in December. (Sullivan, 9/22)
Meanwhile, in Florida —
Orlando Sentinel: Gov. Scott Pledges $25 Million For Zika Research
Still steaming over the lack of action by the federal government to combat the Zika virus, Gov. Rick Scott announced Thursday he’ll authorize $25 million in state funds to be spent on research for a vaccine... Scott traveled to Washington D.C. last week to press Congressional leaders to pass a Zika funding measure. (Rohrer, 9/22)
Tampa Bay Times: Rick Scott Directs $25M Toward Zika Vaccine Research
In an unusual move, Gov. Rick Scott announced Thursday he'll use his emergency powers to direct $25 million from the state for Zika research. The Florida Department of Health will dole out the money through a competitive grant for speeding up the development of a Zika vaccine and "innovative, cost-effective" methods to test for the virus. (Auslen, 9/22)
