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The Trump administration has conceded in court docket paperwork that it used purely political issues to cancel grant funding beforehand authorized by Congress. But that has provoked a surprisingly muted response from lawmakers, who underneath the Constitution management the ability of the purse.
Meanwhile, Republicans within the Senate summoned former National Institutes of Health and White House official Anthony Fauci to testify — once more — about his dealing with of the covid pandemic. Fauci, nevertheless, refused to reply questions, citing the recommendation of his attorneys.
This week’s panelists are Julie Rovner of KFF Health News, Rachel Cohrs Zhang of Bloomberg News, Shefali Luthra of The nineteenth, and Liz Essley Whyte of The Wall Street Journal.
Among the takeaways from this week’s episode:
Recent court docket filings make clear how the Trump administration has used politics to justify its choices to cancel federal grants. While comparable revelations could have been explosive underneath different presidents, the filings have triggered muted, if any, responses from lawmakers.
The Trump administration introduced this week that it might finish the short-term Medicare Part D subsidies, launched underneath the Biden administration, that assist decrease the month-to-month premiums older Americans pay for drug protection. While subsequent 12 months’s premiums most likely would have elevated anyway, the change — which many will discover after they store for plans later this 12 months, shortly earlier than the midterm elections — could not assist Republicans within the voting sales space.
Meanwhile, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) introduced Fauci earlier than the committee he chairs to deal with accusations associated to his position within the nation’s covid response as a key adviser to Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden. But little of substance was mentioned, with the listening to shortly devolving into political grandstanding as Fauci asserted his constitutional proper to not self-incriminate.
An FDA advisory panel voted to advocate the company make it simpler for Americans to acquire a number of beforehand banned compounds often called peptides — whilst FDA workers warning that there’s no proof they’re secure. The panel included members who stand to revenue from expanded entry to peptides.
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Plus, for “extra credit” the panelists counsel well being coverage tales they learn this week that they suppose it’s best to learn, too:
Julie Rovner: The Arkansas Times’ “Postpartum Women Go Without Care as Arkansas Holds Out as Lone State To Deny Them Medicaid,” by Byron Tate.
Rachel Cohrs Zhang: KFF Health News’ “Trump Administration Demands Hospitals Share Emergency Room Records,” by Amanda Seitz, Maia Rosenfeld, and Darius Tahir.
Liz Essley Whyte: Stat’s “E-Bikes, E-Scooters Are a Burgeoning Pediatric Public Health Emergency,” by J. Todd R. Lawrence and Madison A. Kesler.
Shefali Luthra: The Washington Post’s “The Problem With RFK Jr.’s Crusade Against Antidepressants,” by Aaron E. Carroll.
Also talked about on this week’s podcast:
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