Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
White House Urged To Create National Patient Safety Team
Axios: Presidential Advisers Recommend White House Create Patient Safety Team
The White House should create a national patient safety team to help reduce high levels of dangerous care in the medical system, presidential advisers recommended Thursday. Progress in addressing preventable harms like medication errors and hospital-acquired infections has been "unacceptably slow," necessitating a White House-led initiative to improve patient safety, the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology wrote in a report. (Goldman, 9/8)
In other news from the Biden administration —
Stat: NIH Nominee Bertagnolli Will Get October Confirmation Hearing
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) will hold a confirmation hearing next month for Monica Bertagnolli, President Biden’s nominee to run the National Institutes of Health, he said Friday. Sanders, whose health committee oversees the confirmation of the NIH nominee, had refused to hold a hearing on Bertagnolli until the Biden administration promised more drug pricing reform. (Wilkerson, 9/8)
USA Today: McConnell, Biden Age: Senator Says Officials Should Share Health Info
As questions over elected official official’s physical and mental fitness to serve swirl after Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell’s, R-Ky., second freezing episode, Cassidy, also a physician, said he thinks it should be a “house rule” for candidates to release their medical records. “I think if you want to be the President of the United States, or a senator or House member then there is a responsibility over and above that of just offering yourself,” Cassidy said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” (Tran, 9/10)
PolitiFact: Fact Check: Is Joe Biden Trying To Limit How Much Beer You Drink?
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz fumed at President Joe Biden’s administration, claiming it plans to strictly curb Americans’ alcohol consumption. In an interview with Newsmax, the Texas Republican accused the Biden administration of limiting Americans to only two beers a week. ... The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism’s director said the U.S. may consider recommending adults consume only two drinks per week. But even if such a recommendation is issued, it will be a recommendation, not a mandate. (Barahi, 9/10)
