Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Lead In Tap Water Causes 'All-Hands-On-Deck' Crisis In Michigan
The Hill: Michigan Orders 'All-Hands-On-Deck' Response To Water Crisis
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) said on Thursday that elevated levels of lead in tap water in the southwestern part of the state would require an "all-hands-on-deck, whole-of-government approach." Whitmer issued an executive order to allocate federal, state and local resources to expeditiously replace all of the lead service lines in Benton Harbor in the next 18 months. (Beals, 10/14)
In other news about the nation's water supply —
The Hill: Agencies Warn Of Cyber Threats To Water, Wastewater Systems
A coalition of federal agencies on Thursday warned that hackers are targeting the water and wastewater treatment sectors, strongly recommending that organizations take steps to protect themselves. In a joint advisory, the FBI, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Security Agency (NSA) warned of “ongoing malicious cyber activity—by both known and unknown actors—targeting the information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) networks, systems, and devices of U.S. Water and Wastewater Systems (WWS) Sector facilities.” (Miller, 10/14)
In updates from Maine, Kentucky, Michigan and Texas —
AP: New Tool To Allow Mainers To Window Shop For Health Coverage
Federal authorities have signed off on Maine’s health insurance marketplace, and residents can start comparing plans on Friday. The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has approved CoverME.gov. Democratic Gov. Janet Mills said residents will be able to use a new tool called “Plan Compare” to essentially window shop for plans. (10/14)
AP: Kentuckians Can Review Health Coverage Plans On Exchange
Consumers can start logging in to Kentucky’s state-run health insurance exchange to review plans that best suit their needs for 2022, Gov. Andy Beshear said. Starting Friday, Kentuckians can compare state-managed health insurance plans on the web portal, known as kynect, ahead of the enrollment period that begins Nov. 1. (10/15)
AP: Michigan Lawmakers Advance Measure To End 'Tampon Tax'
The Michigan House advanced legislation Thursday that would eliminate sales taxes on menstrual products, bringing the state one step closer to abolishing the so-called “tampon tax.” The legislation, if passed by the Senate and signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, would eliminate the 6% sales tax on menstrual products as “luxury items.” The proposal passed with bipartisan support 94-13. (Nichols, 10/14)
Houston Chronicle: On Fourth Try, Texas House Passes Controversial Transgender Sports Bill
Texas House Democrats on Thursday put up a fierce fight as they tried over more than 10 hours of debate to shut down a controversial bill that will block transgender student athletes from competing on the team that aligns with their gender identity, but the legislation ultimately passed on party lines. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick made the bill a priority item three times this year, only to see it fail in the Texas House each time — once because it was delayed and the clock ran out, another time because of the Democratic walkout earlier this year and again when a Democrat committee chair blocked it. (Goldenstein, 10/14)
