Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Jon Stewart: Congress Abandoning Vets Exposed To Toxins In Burning Pits
New York Daily News: Jon Stewart Lashes Out Against Congress For Lack Of Funds For 9/11 Responders
Known for his passionate defense for 9/11 first responders, Jon Stewart as well as U.S. Sen. Kristin Gillibrand, and other 9/11 advocates called BS on Congress and the federal government again, this time on behalf of veterans and service members sickened by exposure to burning pits of toxic trash. “Welcome to another exciting episode of, ‘When is America going to start acting like the great country we keep telling ourselves we are?’" the former Daily Show host told reporters on Capitol Hill Tuesday. (McAuliff, 9/15)
CNN: Jon Stewart Says Congress Is Abandoning Veterans Who Inhaled Toxic Burn Pit Fumes
Stewart, who previously backed a bill to help first responders that became sick as a result of their work on 9/11 to pay for health care through 2092, drew parallels between those sickened by 9/11 and veterans who went to fight in Iraq and Afghanistan, pointing to jet fuel as being the common ingredient that has led to illnesses for both veterans and first responders. Stewart said that jet fuel was used as an accelerant for the burn pits and that the pits were as large as 10 acres and "burned 24/7." (Kim, 9/15)
In other news from Capitol Hill —
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Pelosi Calls For Probe Of Conditions At Georgia Immigration Detention
U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called on the Trump administration Tuesday to investigate a whistleblower complaint alleging deplorable conditions at a federal immigration detention center in South Georgia. Filed by a coalition of advocacy groups with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General, the 27-page complaint alleges a high number of hysterectomies have been performed on detainees held at the Irwin County Detention Center in Ocilla. (Redmon, 9/15)
The Hill: Democratic Lawmakers Call For An Investigation Into Allegations Of Medical Neglect At Georgia ICE Facility
Democratic lawmakers on Tuesday called for an investigation into allegations detailed a day before in a whistleblower complaint over “jarring medical neglect” at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center in Georgia. The complaint alleges migrants and nurses at the Irwin County Detention Center reported “high rates of hysterectomies done to immigrant women,” with the whistleblower adding that there were also issues “of proper informed consent,” according to a copy of the complaint. (Klar, 9/15)
Also —
The Hill: GOP Senator To Quarantine After Coronavirus Exposure
Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) said on Tuesday that she will quarantine after being exposed to an individual with the coronavirus. “I learned recently that I came into contact with an individual who tested positive for coronavirus. While the test result has not come back yet, I will be following CDC recommendations and the advice of the Capitol Attending Physician and will be quarantining for 14 days as a precaution,” Capito said in a statement. (Carney, 9/15)
NPR: COVID-19 Vaccine Becomes Heated Issue In Pivotal Senate Race
North Carolina Democratic Senate candidate Cal Cunningham said Monday during a debate that he would be "hesitant" to take a vaccine for COVID-19 approved by Election Day, leading Republicans nationwide to characterize him and Democrats as "anti-vaxxers." Cunningham, an attorney and former state legislator, is trying to unseat first-term Republican Thom Tillis. The race is one of the most closely watched this year and could decide which party controls the Senate. When asked a hypothetical question about a vaccine, Cunningham said "he has questions." (Harrison, 9/15)
