Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Negotiations Over COVID Stimulus Bill Still Stalled
The Wall Street Journal: Mnuchin Urges Congress To Pass More Stimulus Funding
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin urged Congress to appropriate more money to combat the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, saying at a hearing Tuesday that he was ready to sit down with Democratic leaders to resume negotiations at any time. House Democrats in May proposed an additional $3.5 trillion of relief, while Senate Republicans rolled out a $1 trillion bill in July. Without a new agreement, jobless workers have gone without a $600 federal supplement to weekly unemployment insurance since July 31, and a federal eviction moratorium expired on July 25, leaving millions of tenants at risk of losing their homes. (Kiernan, 9/1)
Reuters: Pelosi Says 'Serious Differences' Between Democrats, White House On Coronavirus Aid
U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said after a phone call with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Tuesday that “serious differences” remain between Democrats and the White House over coronavirus relief legislation.“ Sadly, this phone call made clear that Democrats and the White House continue to have serious differences understanding the gravity of the situation that America’s working families are facing,” Pelosi said in a statement. (9/1)
In related economic news —
The Hill: Half In New Poll Concerned Major Health Event Will Lead To Bankruptcy
Half of all U.S. adults are concerned that a major health event among those in their household could lead to bankruptcy, according to a new poll. The survey, based on a study from West Health and Gallup, found that the percentage of adults who said they were “concerned” or “extremely concerned” about a major health event leading to bankruptcy has gone up from 45 percent in 2019 to 50 percent in 2020. (Pitofsky, 9/1)
In other news —
The Hill: Pelosi Faces Criticism Over California Hair Salon Visit
Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) faced criticism from Republicans on Thursday over her visit to a San Francisco hair salon on Monday. A spokesperson for the Speaker's office told The Hill on Tuesday that Pelosi complied with the business's requirements as they were presented to her, and contended that she followed local guidelines, stating that the salon had informed her that one customer was allowed inside the business at a time. (Bowden, 9/1)
USA Today: Nancy Pelosi Visited A Hair Salon Despite Coronavirus Closures
San Francisco's coronavirus guidelines allowed personal service providers including hair salons to reopen their businesses for outdoor services starting Tuesday, with clients seen one at a time. Haircuts are permitted, according to the guidance, but shampooing and hair coloring services are not. (Santucci, 9/1)
