Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
With Health Care At Pivotal Crossroads, HHS Pick Could Signal What Path Trump Wants To Take
The New York Times: Trump’s Next Move On Health Care? Choice For Secretary May Offer Clue
President Trump’s selection of a secretary of health and human services could be a turning point in a health care debate that has polarized Washington, as he faces a choice of working with Democrats to fix the current system or continuing his so-far failed efforts to dismantle his predecessor’s program. (Baker and Pear, 9/30)
The Associated Press: Trump Seeks New Health Chief After Price Resignation
President Donald Trump is seeking a new health secretary to take the place of Tom Price, ousted after an outcry over flying on costly private charters for official travel. The Health and Human Services chief oversees a $1 trillion department, with 80,000 employees and jurisdiction over major insurance programs, advanced medical research, drug and food safety, public health, and disease prevention. (Alonso-Zaldivar, 9/30)
Politico: Who Will Replace Price?
The rumored short-list includes former Sen. Judd Gregg (R-N.H.), who would sail through Senate confirmation but would probably be considered too moderate on Obamacare, to Dr. Mehmet Oz, a cardio-thoracic surgeon made famous by his talk show, which Trump has appeared on. Other current or former members of Congress who could be considered include Rep. Fred Upton and former Rep. Dave Camp. (Kenen and Haberkorn, 9/29)
The Associated Press: Price's Exit Adds Another Hurdle To GOP Health Care Push
The ouster of Tom Price as President Donald Trump's health secretary is yet another self-inflicted blow for Republicans wishing to put their own stamp on health care — and the latest distraction for a White House struggling to advance its agenda after months of turmoil. ... "I think health care is a dead letter through the next election," Joe Antos, a policy expert with the business-oriented American Enterprise Institute, said Saturday. (Colvin and Alonso-Zaldivar, 10/1)
Bloomberg: Price’s Ouster Leaves Void In White House Health-Care Struggle
The disruption from Price’s departure could have an effect on how the administration moves forward on Obamacare, including a proposal Trump has promised to allow people to shop across state lines for health insurance and whether the individual mandate for everyone to have health coverage under the law is enforced, said Kim Monk, an analyst with Capital Alpha Partners in Washington. It could also affect emergency responses to hurricanes and other health-related disasters, Monk said. (Edney, 9/30)
CQ: Next Health Secretary Could Set Course For Obamacare
Now, Price's successor will be able to put his or her own mark on the law that has been assailed by President Donald Trump as a disaster. Trump's nominee to oversee the nation's health programs, including Medicare and Medicaid, and a budget of about $1 trillion is likely to face intense scrutiny about the future of the law known as Obamacare during confirmation hearings before the Senate Finance Committee. (McIntire, 10/2)
Modern Healthcare: Deregulation Agenda Expected To Continue Despite Price's Resignation
During his short stint leading health policy for the Trump administration, Dr. Tom Price spearheaded a number of efforts to ease the regulatory burden on the industry, especially for his peers in the physician community. While few expect the administration to dial back on that commitment, Price's resignation Friday as HHS secretary could, at least momentarily, force agency heads to tap the brakes on any bold new policies. (Weinstock, 9/30)
The Hill: Five Questions On Healthcare Following Price's Resignation
Tom Price’s resignation as Health and Human Services (HHS) secretary creates a big leadership void at the top of the department tasked with administering a health law Republicans hate. President Trump accepted the embattled secretary’s resignation Friday on the heels of Politico reports detailing how Price’s travel on military and charter jet flights had cost taxpayers more than $1 million since May. (Roubein and Hellmann, 9/29)
The Hill: Pelosi: 'Price Should Never Have Been In This Role In The First Place'
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) reacted to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Tom Price's resignation on Friday by condemning the Trump administration for selecting him "in the first place." Price became the first Trump Cabinet member to resign on Friday after a Politico investigation revealed he had spent more than $1 million in taxpayer dollars on private charter flights. (Bowden, 9/29)
The Hill: Dem Mocks Price: He Committed 'Unpardonable Sin' By Not Owning Private Jet
Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) mocked Tom Price on Friday, saying the former Health and Human Services secretary committed “the one unpardonable sin” in President Trump’s world before his resignation. “Tom Price committed the one unpardonable sin in Trump's world: Being rich, but not rich enough to own his own private jet,” Schiff tweeted. (Carter, 9/29)
The Hill: 'Saturday Night Live' Mocks Price's Resignation: 'How 'Bout You Pay Us Back The Money?'
“Saturday Night Live” during its season premiere mocked the resignation of Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price over his use of private jets for official business.“ Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price was forced to resign yesterday after he was caught using almost a million dollars in taxpayer money to fly on private jets,” cast member Colin Jost said during the show’s “Weekend Update” segment. (Balluck, 10/1)
The Hill: Trump’s Cabinet And Charter Flights: What We Know And Don’t Know
Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price resigned Friday following a series of public rebukes from President Trump and GOP lawmakers over his repeated use of charter and military aircraft, at public expense, for official travel. Price is far from the only Cabinet member to take private flights however, so his resignation isn’t likely to stem the controversy. (Weixel, 9/30)
Politico Pro: Price Was Never A Player On Obamacare Repeal
Former HHS Secretary Tom Price was chosen by President Donald Trump because he was a doctor and a rising star on Capitol Hill who could drive the Obamacare repeal effort. But in his short tenure, Price not only misread the politics of repeal, he failed to assert himself as a power player on the No. 1 priority of his party, according to administration officials, lobbyists and state and federal officials involved in the repeal effort. (Cancryn, 9/29)
