Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Incoming CDC Director Says There Are 'Dark Weeks Ahead'
The Hill: Incoming CDC Director Expects 500,000 Coronavirus Deaths By Mid-February
The incoming Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) director said Sunday that she expects the U.S. will reach 500,000 COVID-19 deaths by mid-February. Rochelle Walensky, President-elect Joe Biden’s named CDC director, told CBS News’ “Face The Nation” that she “unfortunately” agrees with outgoing CDC Director Robert Redfield that the pandemic is going to get worse. (Coleman, 1/17)
The Washington Post: The Health 202: It's Still Unclear Who Will Lead HHS After Biden Is Sworn In
The government’s sweeping health-care agency will lack a permanent secretary tomorrow when President-elect Joe Biden is sworn in. His pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, Xavier Becerra, is waiting along with other Biden nominees on confirmation from a slow-moving Senate. But no such obstacle exists for Rochelle Walensky, incoming chief of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Because the position of CDC director doesn’t require Senate confirmation, Walensky will be able to immediately take the reins at the nation’s public health agency at a critical moment. (Cunningham and Ellerbeck, 1/19)
In other news about the incoming Biden administration —
Stat: Genome Sequencing Pioneer Eric Lander To Lead Science Policy For Biden
President-elect Biden on Thursday nominated Broad Institute president Eric Lander to serve as his science adviser and the director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, along with a slate of other top science adviser nominations. Biden also announced that he will elevate his science adviser to a Cabinet-level post, marking the first time in history that the OSTP head has served alongside the heads of federal agencies. (Facher and Joseph, 1/15)
The Wall Street Journal: Yellen Calls For More Aid To Avoid Longer, More Painful Recession
Janet Yellen, President-elect Joe Biden’s choice for Treasury secretary, plans to tell lawmakers that the U.S. risks a longer, more painful recession unless Congress approves more aid and urge them to “act big” to shore up the recovery. Ms. Yellen is set to testify Tuesday before the Senate Finance Committee, which is considering her nomination, according to a copy of her prepared remarks that was viewed by The Wall Street Journal. (Davidson, 1/18)
Stat: Will The FTC Get Tougher On Pharma Business Practices Under The Biden Administration?
As the Biden administration begins setting priorities, the Federal Trade Commission is poised to take a tougher stand on some pharmaceutical industry practices, given the potential for anti-competitive behavior to influence prescription drug prices. (Silverman, 1/19)
