Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
To Cut 'Regulatory Costs,' Administration Wants To Roll Back Obama-Era Rule On Nursing Homes Lawsuits
The Trump administration is pushing to scrap a rule that would have made it easier for nursing home residents to sue nursing homes for injuries caused by substandard care, abuse or neglect, bringing its campaign to relax federal regulations to the delicate business of care for older Americans. The push would undo a rule issued by the Obama administration that would have prevented nursing homes from requiring that consumers agree to resolve any disputes through arbitration rather than litigation. (Pear, 8/18)
In other news about President Donald Trump聽鈥
President Trump聽on Friday聽quietly signed into law a sweeping measure that will help ensure the Food and Drug Administration can continue to oversee drug and device approvals. It鈥檚 a victory for the pharmaceutical industry,聽which, together with the FDA, fought to ensure the package would become law before existing agreements expire at the end of September. The industry will pay聽more than $1 billion toward the agency鈥檚 oversight efforts, per an agreement hammered out with lawmakers and the FDA. Both industry and the agency say the so-called user fees are critical to keeping the lights on at the FDA. (Mershon, 8/18)
A House Democrat introduced a resolution on Friday suggesting that President Trump undergo a physical and mental health exam to help determine whether he is fit for office. Rep. Zoe Lofgren鈥檚 (D-Calif.) resolution specifically calls on Vice President Pence and Trump鈥檚 Cabinet members to 鈥渜uickly secure the services of medical and psychiatric professionals鈥 to 鈥渁ssist in their deliberations鈥 invoking the 25th Amendment, which outlines presidential removal procedures. (Marcos, 8/17)
