Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Veterans Circle The Wagons Around Shulkin Even As Trump's Frustration Bubbles Over Into Public Sphere
President Donald Trump may be itching to fire him, but Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin has the support of GOP lawmakers and veterans, and the lack of a preferred successor may keep him at the agency鈥檚 helm at least for now. Trump鈥檚 consternation with Shulkin bubbled over Monday, as he was meeting with Energy Secretary Rick Perry and planning Rex Tillerson鈥檚 ouster from the State Department. Trump didn鈥檛 offer Perry the job, nor did he ask if Perry wanted it, but the events prompted speculation that a major Cabinet shakeup was in the works. (Woellert and Allen, 3/14)
Energy Secretary Rick Perry said he had no interest in becoming the next head of the Department of Veterans Affairs, flatly rejecting speculation that he would soon take over the position amid rapidly eroding White House support for embattled VA Secretary David Shulkin. Two administration officials told The Associated Press on Wednesday that Shulkin's position is growing more precarious and that he could be out of a job within the week, but they cautioned that nothing was finalized. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive personnel matter. (Yen and Miller, 3/15)
In other veterans' health news聽鈥
The Pathway Home program in Yountville, Calif., is shutting down 鈥渋ndefinitely鈥 less than a week after three employees were taken hostage by a gunman and killed. The program, part of the Veterans Home of California, provided post-Sept. 11 veterans with academic and vocational support as they prepared to re-enter the civilian world after deployment. (Salam and Stevens, 3/14)
The nonprofit Pathway Home, which has treated hundreds of veterans of post-9/11 wars for debilitating emotional trauma, was serving a half-dozen men at the time of last week鈥檚 shootings. They have been directed to mental and health services from federal and Napa County providers, and Pathway鈥檚 seven surviving employees have been given severance packages, said Larry Kamer, a spokesman for the center. (Alexander, 3/14)