Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
In Heated Exchange With Lawmakers, Postal Leader Defends Changes
The New York Times: DeJoy Defends Postal Changes As Trump Continues To Attack Voting By Mail
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy told Congress on Monday that the Postal Service could be trusted to carry out the largest vote-by-mail program in American history without political bias, even as President Trump repeated baseless accusations that mail-in voting would be used by his rivals to rig the November election against him. Under tough questioning by Democrats on the House Oversight Committee, Mr. DeJoy, a major donor to Mr. Trump and other Republicans, mounted an outraged defense of the modifications he has made at the Postal Service that have thrust the agency into a political firestorm, denying that they were motivated by partisanship. He refused to commit to reversing the changes, which he characterized as vital cost-cutting measures for a cash-strapped agency badly in need of an overhaul, and scolded Congress for failing for years to attend to the post office’s financial woes. (Edmondson, 8/24)
USA Today: Trump's Postmaster General DeJoy Commits To Delivering Election Mail On Time, Slams 'False Narrative'
DeJoy acknowledged delays in service were in part caused by changes at the Postal Service but defended his agency's actions and committed to delivering election mail on time. ... The postmaster general told lawmakers some of the service delays were caused by inadequate staffing, and the COVID-19 pandemic continued to affect operations. He said 83 workers have died from COVID-19. Asked by Rep. Katie Porter, D-Calif., about who ordered the organizational changes, DeJoy said he did not know, nor did he commit to reversing the changes. (Hayes and Wu, 8/24)
The Washington Post: D.C. Residents Can Vote At Nationals Park This Fall, Elections Board Says
For the first time, D.C. voters will be able to cast their ballots at Nationals Park during election week, D.C. Board of Elections Chair Michael Bennett told The Washington Post on Monday — the latest move in the District’s effort to mitigate delays with in-person voting. Bennett said the board was still working with Washington Nationals officials Monday to fine-tune details of the agreement, including where voters would enter the park. (Brice-Saddler, 8/24)
In other elections news —
AP: Biden, Harris To Get Routine Virus Testing, A Notable Change
In a notable change, Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and his running mate, Kamala Harris, will now be regularly tested for the coronavirus as the race heats up, a campaign aide confirmed Monday. “This announcement is another step demonstrating Joe Biden and Kamala Harris’ commitment to turn the page on Trump’s catastrophic mismanagement during the worst public health crisis in 100 years,” said Biden spokesperson Andrew Bates. (Jaffe, 8/24)
