Bipartisan Fears Lurk Beneath Surface Of Zika Funding Debate
May 25, 2016
Morning Briefing
Politics are adding a layer of complexity to efforts to battle the outbreak. Among other issues, Republicans are worried about the perception of supporting abortion or contraception, while Democrats are concerned about the environmental impact of pesticides. However, public officials say, mosquitoes don’t pay attention to party lines.
Viewpoints: Zika Readiness Falls Short; A Lack Of Obamacare Enthusiasm?
May 23, 2016
Morning Briefing
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Conspiracy Theories, Myths And Rumors: How Misinformation Can Sabotage Fight Against Zika
June 1, 2016
Morning Briefing
Researchers worry that misinformation — or as one scientist calls it, “the lifeblood of epidemics” — about the virus, especially as it is amplified via social media, can undermine efforts to curb an outbreak. Meanwhile, a woman from Honduras has given birth to the first baby in the continental U.S. to have Zika-linked birth defects.
Senators Hopeful Zika Funding Agreement Is In Sight
April 21, 2016
Morning Briefing
Top Appropriations Committee Democrat Barbara Mikulski of Maryland said the Zika issue is “in play” for a vote at the panel’s Thursday hearing. In other Zika news, a Los Angeles Times reporter takes readers to the frontline of the outbreak in Brazil, and Seattle experts talk about just how severe the birth defects caused by the virus are.
Federal Health Officials Prepare Plan For Responding To Possible Zika Outbreak In U.S.
June 13, 2016
Morning Briefing
The blueprint for federal and state action if the virus begins to be transmitted in this country could be released this week. Meanwhile, Florida officials are looking for more leadership and funding from the federal government. And Kaiser Health News has an FAQ about concerns for women of child-bearing age.
A FEMA-Like Fund Exists To Fight Zika — But Congress Has Left That Piggy Bank Empty
June 6, 2016
Morning Briefing
The fund to help deal with public health disasters was created by Congress in 1983 with an initial appropriation of $30 million. But Congress only put money into it again twice: in 1987 and again in 1993, in response to the outbreak of hantavirus. Today the fund balance is $57,000. Meanwhile, both the surgeon general and Sen. March Rubio, R-Fla, warn about the lack of Zika prevention funding.
Viewpoints: Congress’ Dithering On Zika; Fixing Medicare Drug Spending; Doctor Pay
June 1, 2016
Morning Briefing
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
First U.S. Case Of Microcephaly Related To Zika Reported In Puerto Rico
May 16, 2016
Morning Briefing
The fetus had developed a shrunken skull, calcified brain spots and tested positive for the Zika virus. Puerto Rico has been the hardest hit so far of any American state or territory by the outbreak.
Officials Report U.S. Zika Infections In 234 Pregnant Women And 6 Cases Of Birth Defects
June 17, 2016
Morning Briefing
The government did not give much information about the six pregnancies, except to say three children had been born with abnormalities and three had died before birth.
Viewpoints: Lawmakers And Zika Funding; More On The Health Law’s Contraception Mandate
May 19, 2016
Morning Briefing
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Fla. Governor To Tell Reluctant Lawmakers: Treat Zika Like A Hurricane
May 5, 2016
Morning Briefing
It’s something they need to prepare for in case of devastation, Gov. Rick Scott will say when he visits Capitol Hill next week to request lawmakers drop the “political grandstanding” and take action on Zika funding.
CDC Reports Nearly 300 Pregnant Women In U.S. Infected With Zika
May 23, 2016
Morning Briefing
Due to a new method in reporting the cases, the known number of pregnant woman who have been affected has nearly tripled. Meanwhile, calls for proper funding to battle the outbreak have increased in urgency, as states try to get control of the virus without the money to do it.
Viewpoints: Obamacare And Medical Debt; Zapping Zika
April 21, 2016
Morning Briefing
A selection of opinions from around the country.
On The Zika Front Lines: Genetically Modified Mosquitoes To Be Unleashed In Caymans
May 6, 2016
Morning Briefing
Oxitec, the company that has developed the solution, will release thousands of modified male mosquitoes a week to mate with females. This will produce offspring that don’t survive until adulthood. “It’s not unreasonable to think we might achieve elimination,” says Glen Slade, the company’s head of business development.
Dems On Zika Funding: ‘We’re Not Going To Stop Talking About It Until We Get Some Money’
June 3, 2016
Morning Briefing
They will try to force a vote in the Senate next week, Sen. Harry Reid says. In other news, researchers say it is possible for Zika to be transferred via oral sex, the surgeon general talks about the need for proper funding to curb the spread of the virus, and an American athlete considers pulling out of the Olympics.
Governors Join Growing Chorus Of Voices Calling For End To Zika Funding Impasse
May 10, 2016
Morning Briefing
The National Governors Association wrote a letter to Congress urging it find a compromise on funding to combat the virus and then “act as expeditiously as possible to ensure those funds are available to states, territories and the public at large.” Meanwhile, Puerto Rico’s financial crisis could hamper its fight against Zika, a pregnant Connecticut teen has tested positive for the virus, and a county in Florida gets its first confirmed case.
House Bill Would Pillage HHS Medicare Fund To Pay For Battle Against Zika
May 24, 2016
Morning Briefing
HHS plans to use the $230 million Nonrecurring Expenses Fund to pay for Medicare payment improvements, but if the House bill passes, that money would go toward fighting the virus. Meanwhile, senators have sent a letter to the U.S. Olympic Committee wanting to know how athletes participating in the games are going to be protected, and World Health Organization Director-General Margaret Chan blasts countries for dropping the ball on mosquito control.
Perspectives About The Congressional Response To Zika; Thoughts On The Virus’s Risks
April 15, 2016
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers take in-depth looks at the current state of knowledge about the Zika virus as well as the congressional reaction to it.
Public Health Experts Distressed Over Zika Funding
April 11, 2016
Morning Briefing
Health officials were outraged that, after a stalemate with Congress, the Obama administration had to announce it would transfer Ebola money to the efforts to fight Zika, saying the lack of new funding could mean the virus wreaks more damage on the United States than it would have otherwise. Meanwhile Sen. Marco Rubio says he supports President Barack Obama’s $1.9 billion request to battle the outbreak.
