Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
What Happens To The Federal Covid Response In A Shutdown?
Stat: The Federal Covid-19 Response Will Continue If There’s A Shutdown, Mostly
The federal government’s efforts to address the Covid-19 pandemic will continue even if the government shuts down this week, a Biden administration official tells STAT — but key health agencies will still face major staff shortages. The Senate has until Thursday night to prevent a government shutdown, and things are not looking good: Late Monday, Republicans blocked a procedural vote as part of a standoff related to raising the government’s debt limit. (Florko, 9/28)
The Washington Post: Without Infrastructure Bill, Federal Highway Administration Will Shut Down
Thousands of Transportation Department employees have enjoyed protection from past government shutdowns, but if a $1 trillion infrastructure bill doesn’t pass the House and make it to President Biden’s desk by Thursday night, they face the prospect of being furloughed for the first time in more than a decade. It would also mean hundreds of millions of dollars to cover the cost of road-building projects would stop flowing from the federal government — potentially leaving states short on cash — while work on a small number of projects on federal land would grind to a halt. (Duncan, 9/28)
In other news from the Biden administration —
The Washington Post: FDA Delays Ruling On Safety Of Sunscreen Ingredients
If sunscreen manufacturers, environmentalists, dermatologists and consumers were expecting the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to take a position on the safety of chemical filters in sunscreen products by yesterday, they were likely disappointed. On Friday, the regulatory agency said that it needs more time and data before ruling whether the filters in question, compounds designed to protect users from UVA and UVB rays, are in fact safe. Instead, the FDA released an announcement that closely mirrored its 2019 proposed rule, in which it deemed only 2 of 16 UV filters used in sunscreens (the minerals zinc oxide and titanium dioxide), as generally recognized as safe and effective (GRASE). Two of the organic chemical compounds — aminobenzoic acid (PABA) and trolamine salicylate — are proposed as not safe and effective for sunscreen use. The other 12 remain under review and are sold under the definition of “Marketed Unapproved Drugs.” The agency also opened a 45-day period for public comment. (Mandell, 9/28)
The Washington Post: Eviction Filings Have Not Spiked After End Of Moratorium
When the Supreme Court decided to strike down a federal ban on evictions in August, lawmakers and housing experts mentioned a slew of devastating metaphors — cliff, tsunami, tidal wave — to describe the national eviction crisis they saw coming. One month later, however, many of those same authorities find themselves wondering: Where is the cliff? In major metropolitan areas, the number of eviction filings has dropped or remained flat since the Supreme Court struck down the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention moratorium on Aug. 26, according to experts and data collected by the Eviction Lab at Princeton University. In cities around the country, including Cleveland, Memphis, Charleston and Indianapolis, eviction filings are well below their pre-pandemic levels. (Siegel and O'Connell, 9/28)
And on the mysterious symptoms experienced by U.S. diplomats —
The Wall Street Journal: Havana Syndrome Attacks Widen With CIA Officer’s Evacuation From Serbia
The CIA evacuated an intelligence officer serving in Serbia in recent weeks who suffered serious injuries consistent with the neurological attacks known as Havana Syndrome, according to current and former U.S. officials. The incident in the Balkans, which hasn’t been previously reported, is the latest in what the officials describe as a steady expansion of attacks on American spies and diplomats posted overseas by unknown assailants using what government officials and scientists suspect is some sort of directed-energy source. (Strobel, 9/28)
Miami Herald: What To Know About Havana Syndrome, The Illness Affecting U.S. Diplomats, CIA, Staff
Symptoms include dizziness, tinnitus, visual problems, vertigo and cognitive difficulties. Some affected Americans said they heard a sound or felt some type of pressure or vibration. Doctors at the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Miami, who first treated U.S. diplomats in Havana affected by the ailment, also found evidence of brain injury and damage to the inner ear’s vestibular system. (Marchante, 9/29)
