Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
VA Is In 'Critical Condition But Moving Toward Stable,' Agency's Hands-On Chief Says
The New York Times: New Veterans Affairs Chief: A Hands-On, Risk-Taking ‘Standout’
A gray-haired Vietnam veteran sat rustling on the paper of an examining table at the small veterans clinic in Grants Pass, Ore., on a recent afternoon when his doctor for the day appeared on a screen in front of him, wearing a white lab coat and bulbous headphones. “Take some deep breaths. All the way in … And, sir, do you want to give me a good cough?” the doctor said as he listened to the veteran’s heart and lungs from about 2,400 miles away in his office overlooking the White House. (Philipps and Fandos, 5/9)
In other news from the administration —
Modern Healthcare: GOP Lawmakers Fear HHS Is Barring Staffers From Contacting Congress
Republican lawmakers are concerned that HHS may be trying to prohibit employees from corresponding with members of the legislative branch. In a letter to HHS Secretary Tom Price dated Thursday, Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) and Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) said they were concerned by a recent HHS memo that told employees they must first talk to the agency's Office of the Assistant Secretary for Legislation before communicating with lawmakers or their staff. Chaffetz and Grassley said this possibly violates federal law. (Dickson, 5/8)
CQ Roll Call: FDA Bill Would Add Changes On Hearing Aids And Device Makers
The latest version of a bill to renew the Food and Drug Administration’s authority to collect fees from the drug and medical device industries contains a slew of new policy provisions related to device facility inspections, hearing aid regulation and the development of drugs or devices for children. The additions seem to be bipartisan and likely won’t threaten the bill’s passage, which senators want to occur by late July. The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee is marking up the bill (S 934) on Wednesday, and the House Energy and Commerce Committee is expected to follow suit next week, setting up potential floor votes in June. (Siddons, 5/8)
