Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
To Battle Health Misinformation, Bill Targets Online Platforms' Protections
Politico: Klobuchar Targets Vaccine Misinformation With Section 230 Bill
Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) introduced legislation Thursday to fight bogus medical claims online during health crises like the coronavirus pandemic. Her target: Section 230. Klobuchar's bill would carve out an exception to Section 230, the 1996 law that protects internet platforms from liability for content that users post, for health misinformation proliferating during public health emergencies — like the misinformation that has been running rampant about vaccines for Covid-19. (Levine, 7/22)
The Wall Street Journal: Bill Would Strip Social Media Of Protections For Health Misinformation
Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D., Minn.) introduced a bill Thursday that would strip online platforms such as Facebook Inc. and Twitter Inc. of their liability protections if their technologies spread misinformation related to public-health emergencies, such as the Covid-19 pandemic. The bill, which Ms. Klobuchar previously telegraphed was in the works, would create an exception to the law known as Section 230, which shields internet platforms from lawsuits for content generated by their users and other third parties. (Hughes, 7/22)
And Dr. Anthony Fauci praises Republicans for supporting vaccination —
The Hill: Fauci Praises GOP Encouraging Vaccines: 'A Very Good Thing'
Anthony Fauci said Republicans who are now encouraging Americans to get vaccinated are doing “a very good thing” to help stop the spread of COVID-19 as well as misinformation about vaccines. In an interview with The Hill, the president's chief medical adviser said he was glad to hear some top GOP leaders be more outspoken in recent days about the importance of receiving the life-saving vaccine. (Trudo, 7/22)
In other news from Capitol Hill —
Politico: Dems Are 'Not Particularly Pleased' With The Senate Infrastructure Deal. They'll Back It Anyway.
Ben Cardin is “not particularly pleased” with parts of the bipartisan infrastructure package. Kirsten Gillibrand has “no reason to be against it.” And Elizabeth Warren said she’ll support it if “it makes some people happier.” Those are Democratic senators' scintillating reviews for a plan billed as a major goal of President Joe Biden. As negotiators rush to finish their package by Monday, they're signaling they’ll go along with it, even if it’s through gritted teeth. (Levine, Everett and Barron-Lopez, 7/22)
The Washington Post: Paul Gosar Was A Mild-Mannered Dentist. His Patients Are Horrified At His Embrace Of Trump's Election Falsehoods.
Paul Gosar’s evolution from the Arizona Dental Association’s 2001 Dentist of the Year to a conspiracy-minded, race-baiting congressman isn’t exactly surprising to anyone paying attention to today’s GOP and its associated right-wing media personalities, whose adoption of Trump’s personal bugbears has made conspiracy theorists of many rank-and-file Republicans. (Terris, 7/21)
