Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Installing 8 Panelists To Preventive Services Task Force, RFK Jr. Departs From The Norm
Stat: Kennedy Overhauls USPSTF, A Key Advisory Panel
Health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Thursday named eight new members to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, an influential panel of experts who assess the evidence behind a wide array of preventive medical services. (Cirruzzo, Cooney and Todd, 9/17)
The New York Times: RFK Jr. Assures Vaccine Skeptics They Have A ‘Friend At The White House’
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Thursday told members of the anti-vaccine group he founded that they had “a strong and steadfast friend at the White House” and that he would “die with my boots on” pursuing answers about the risks of vaccines. His remarks, to a convention of Children’s Health Defense, signaled a notable shift from earlier this year when White House officials and political advisers had pushed Mr. Kennedy to sidestep the vaccine issue, given widespread support among voters for protecting children against deadly diseases. They came just one day after President Trump’s nominee for surgeon general, Dr. Nicole Saphier, gave a full-throated defense of the safety and efficacy of vaccines during her Senate confirmation hearing. (Jewett and Rosenbluth, 9/17)
Stat: Kennedy Announces New Effort To Improve Autism Diagnoses
Health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced Thursday a new effort to improve autism diagnoses, arguing that the current model is outdated, too time-intensive, and overreliant on professionals with limited availability. (Broderick, 9/17)
More health news from the federal government —
Yahoo News: New U.S. Customs Rule Could Impact International Medication Shipments
A new customs requirement from U.S. Customs and Border Protection could delay or disrupt some international mail shipments to the United States, potentially creating added costs for people who buy prescription medications from pharmacies outside the country. (Johnson, 9/15)
The War Horse: Most Female Marines Are Passing Hegseth's Fitness Test, Data Shows
When Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth summoned hundreds of generals and admirals from around the world to Quantico, Virginia, last September, he delivered a blunt message: Things were changing fast in the newly renamed Department of War. “No more division, distraction, or gender delusions,” he said. “We are done with that shit.” (Kehrt, 9/17)
The Hill: Sen. Andy Kim Introduces Bill To Phase Out SSDI Waiting Periods
Sen. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) on Thursday introduced legislation to phase out waiting periods for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Medicare benefits. Kim’s bill, the Stop the Wait Act, would phase out the five-month waiting period for SSDI benefits over five years as well as eliminate the 24-month waiting period for Medicare disability benefits. The senator from New Jersey cited data from the Government Accountability Office that found more than 100,000 people died between fiscal 2008 and 2019 while waiting for a final decision on their SSDI benefits. This figure represents roughly 1.2 percent of total disability applicants who filed an appeal. (Choi, 9/17)
Military.com: Petition Forces Stand-Alone Vote On Major Richard Star Act For Combat-Injured Veterans' Benefits
A petition to force a vote on the Major Richard Start Act reached 218 signatures on Wednesday, paving the way for a U.S. House vote on the bill. The Major Richard Star Act, introduced in the Senate and House by bipartisan lawmakers in March 2025, would allow certain veterans who suffered combat-related injuries that made them cut their military careers short to receive both military retirement pay and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability compensation. (Plummer, 9/17)
CIDRAP: Advocates, Lawmakers Call For Release Of Congressionally Approved Global Health Funds
The clock is ticking on more than a billion dollars in congressionally approved funding for global health programs that's being held up by the Trump administration. According to an analysis by Partners in Health, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is withholding $1.35 billion in bilateral funding that was previously approved by Congress for tuberculosis (TB), malaria, HIV, and maternal and child health programs. The funding is set to expire on September 30, the end of the federal government's fiscal year. (Dall, 9/17)
Politico: Industry Titans’ Warning To Congress: Do What We Say Or Health Insurance Premiums Are Going Up
Some of America’s largest companies are warning Congress that a law shielding patients from surprise medical bills is about to spike their health insurance premiums. The ERISA Industry Committee, whose board includes executives from ExxonMobil, Lockheed Martin, PepsiCo and Walmart, says that unless Congress stems the huge fees they’re bearing from the 2020 No Surprises Act, businesses will have to pass more of the cost on to their employees. The committee hopes that message resonates at a time when Americans frustrated with the cost of living are thinking about taking it out on incumbents seeking reelection. (Chu and Levien, 9/17)
KFF Health News: KFF Health News’ ‘What The Health?’: The Health Risks Of AI
Reports from a top artificial intelligence company that it stopped several attempted uses of its product that could assist in manufacturing a bioweapon caught the attention of lawmakers in Washington this week. But it is still unclear whether or when Congress will act to regulate the fast-moving industry — and the House has left town until after Election Day. (Rovner, 9/17)
