Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
From Flu To Football, Trump Has Plenty Of Ideas To Share
USA Today: Trump Erroneously Says 1918 Spanish Flu 'Probably Ended' WWII, Which Happened Two Decades Later
President Donald Trump erroneously stated Monday that the Spanish Flu of 1918 ended World War II, incorrectly citing both the year the pandemic occurred and the year that the Second World War ended. The events took place more than two decades apart. "The closest thing is in 1917, they say, the great pandemic. It certainly was a terrible thing where they lost anywhere from 50 to 100 million people, probably ended the Second World War," Trump said. "All the soldiers were sick. That was a terrible situation." (Behrmann, 8/10)
The Hill: Trump Says Children Unlikely To Catch Coronavirus, Unconcerned About Reports Of Infections
President Trump on Monday doubled down on his assertion that children are "essentially immune" from COVID-19, despite increasing evidence that shows otherwise. Trump downplayed a new report showing nearly 100,000 children tested positive for COVID-19 at the end of July and said he does not think it means schools should stay closed. (Weixel, 8/10)
Politico: 'Play College Football!' Trump Demands As Fall Seasons Collapse
President Donald Trump and several Republican members of Congress are pushing universities to save the college football season as the coronavirus dampens hopes for the sport this fall. "Play College Football!" the president tweeted Monday afternoon, earning tens of thousands of "likes" in a matter of minutes. (Perez Jr., 8/10)
Also —
Politico: Trump: Executive Order On Pre-Existing Conditions Is 'A Signal'
President Donald Trump on Monday acknowledged a prospective executive order he's considering to make insurers cover pre-existing conditions amounted to political messaging — and that Obamacare already offered such protections. "It's a signal to people ... it's a second platform," Trump said at a White House briefing. "Pre-existing conditions will be taken care of 100 percent by Republicans and the Republican party. I actually think it's a very important statement." (8/10)
Reuters: Trump: Order On Pre-Existing Conditions A 'Double Safety Net' Despite Obamacare Law
President Donald Trump said on Monday an executive order requiring health insurance companies to cover patients with pre-existing conditions would emphasize Republican support for the practice even though it is already part of existing law. ... Asked on Monday why he needed an executive order to mandate something that is already legally required, Trump said it would provide “a double safety net” and would “let people know that the Republicans are totally, strongly in favor of ... taking care of people with pre-existing conditions.” (Mason, 8/10)
