Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
The Uphill Battle Of Fighting Zika: Americans Just Aren't Worried Enough
Bloomberg: America Tries To Fight Zika With Next To No Money
While there are many paths to conquering the growing threat, one thing experts agree on is a need for more public education on how to avoid infection. What people will learn is that the seemingly mundane task of making sure your backyard doesn’t have standing water is the most critical component of this strategy. (Shanker, 9/15)
POLITICO Pro: Debate Over Planned Parenthood Could Derail Zika Funding — And More
Although the issue of Planned Parenthood funding simmered in the background among conservative Republicans for years, it was really sparked by the release last year of sting videos accusing the group of trafficking body parts — allegations that the organization vehemently denied and which have not led to criminal charges against it. Last year, Republicans flirted with a government shutdown over defunding Planned Parenthood. Now, the fight is threatening to stall approval of funding to combat the Zika virus. The GOP doesn’t want anything to do with giving the group government funding. (Haberkorn, 9/14)
The Hill: Poll: Swing-State Voters Support Abortion Access For Zika-Infected Women
The risks of the Zika virus to pregnant women are softening some Americans’ opposition to late-term abortion, potentially sending a ripple effect into crucial state races this year, according to a new poll. A total of 62 percent of voters living in 10 battleground states say they support abortions after 24 weeks if a doctor believes there is a “serious possibility” that a woman’s fetus could have severe birth defects from the Zika virus, according to polling by NARAL Pro-Choice America. (Ferris, 9/14)
In other news on Zika —
The New York Times: Florida Gets Help To Deal With Backlog Of Zika Tests
Gov. Rick Scott of Florida announced on Wednesday that the state was getting help to speed up the results of Zika tests, a move that should reduce the inordinately long waits — sometimes up to five weeks — experienced by hundreds of pregnant women who took the state-offered tests at no cost. In a statement, Mr. Scott said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was sending seven laboratory technicians to help process Zika tests — noting that he had made this request in August. The governor added, however, that in light of the long waits, the seven technicians are not enough and he has requested additional help. (Alvarez, 9/14)
USA Today/Naples News: No Spraying For Zika Planned In Everglades
Although hordes of mosquitoes populate swampy Everglades National Park, no spraying against the dreaded Zika virus is being done there, the park’s supervisor said Wednesday. (Fletcher, 9/14)
NPR: Doctors Studied 42 Infants In Brazil With Microcephaly And The News Isn't Good
"These babies do not catch up as they grow," says Dr. Antonia Augusto Moura da Silva of the Federal University of Maranhao, Sao Luis, Brazil. He's describing the findings from a study of 48 babies whose mothers were believed to have been infected with the Zika virus. Forty-two of the children were diagnosed with microcephaly. The study, on the early neurological growth pattern of the infants, will be published in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases in November but was released early online. (Brink, 9/14)
