Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
The Hidden Cost Of The Immigration Crisis: HHS Dips Into Funds That Could Have Gone To Medical Research
Politico: Trump’s Migrant Fiasco Diverts Millions From Health Programs
The health department has quietly dipped into tens of millions of dollars to pay for the consequences of President Donald Trump’s border policy, angering advocates who want the money spent on medical research, rural health programs and other priorities. The Department of Health and Human Services has burned through at least $40 million in the past two months for the care and reunification of migrant children separated from their families at the border — with housing costs recently estimated at about $1.5 million per day. (Diamond, 7/18)
Meanwhile —
The Associated Press: Immigrant Children Describe Hunger And Cold In Detention
Wet and muddy from their trek across the Mexican border, immigrant children say they sat or lay on the cold, concrete floor of the immigration holding centers where they were taken. It was hard to sleep with lights shining all night and guards kicking their feet, they say. They were hungry, after being given what they say were frozen sandwiches and smelly food. (Taxin, 7/17)
Bloomberg: A Trickle Of Immigrant Family Reunions As Judge’s Deadline Nears
Immigrant families who were separated after they crossed the U.S.-Mexico border are slowly being reunited as the Trump administration tries to satisfy a judge’s order to restore more than 2,500 children to their parents by next week. Two mothers, each with a daughter, arrived Monday night at the Catholic Charities of San Antonio center. Three more reunited families arrived on Tuesday afternoon. As they were offered hot meals of meat, rice and beans, and outfitted with new clothing and shoes, mothers and daughters stayed close, hugging and touching. (Epstein, 7/18)
