Healthcare & Policy News
Reporting on health care policy, insurance coverage, and federal health programs. Includes news updates and conservative commentary from The Daily Signal.
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- Opinion
Congress and the Administration Should Advance Free Trade to Aid in COVID-19 Economic Recovery
Relations between the U.S. and China are increasingly icy, and justifiably so given China’s mishandling of COVID-19 and its undermining of Hong Kong’s autonomy. However, even as overall tensions rise, it is important to remember that the trade dispute between the U.S. and China continues to take a toll on the U.S. economy and the…Tori K. Smith -
- Opinion
With Highly Questionable Legal Reasoning, Roberts Gives Liberals a Win on Abortion
In the much-anticipated case of June Medical Services v. Russo, a divided Supreme Court on Monday narrowly struck down a Louisiana law that would have required abortion providers to submit to the same types of supervision and requirements as other, similarly situated physicians. Once again, the court carved out special constitutional exemptions in the field…Amy Swearer -
- Opinion
Despite COVID-19, US Can’t Afford to Cut Defense Spending
This is part of a series on the importance of U.S. national security and achieving peace through strength. Both long have been Heritage Foundation principles and a great foundation for America’s national power. Some voices call for a reduction in defense spending to focus on COVID-19, but the need to fully fund our military never…Elise Stefanik -
- News
Fauci, Birx Cite ‘Crowds’ and ‘Protests’ in Surge of COVID-19 Cases
The recent surge in COVID-19 cases primarily is occurring among younger Americans, members of the White House coronavirus task force said Friday. The five states that have been hit the hardest with a major uptick in positive tests for the new coronavirus are California, Texas, Florida, Arizona, and New Mexico. “One of the things we…Fred Lucas -
- News
USDA Ships 1.6 Million Food Boxes in COVID-19 Relief Program
After delivering 1.6 million boxes of food to food banks across the country, the Department of Agriculture is in the final stages of deciding which cities and states have been hurt the most economically by the COVID-19 pandemic to ascertain where to send additional food for needy families. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farmers to…Fred Lucas -
- Opinion
Let’s Not Overlook Education of Military Kids in Responding to COVID-19
America’s service members long have been concerned about the lack of access to effective schools for their children. In fact, more than a third of active-duty service members have considered leaving the military altogether because of the school their child would have to attend at their next duty station. The coronavirus pandemic has exacerbated these…Jude Schwalbach -
- Opinion
I’m an OB-GYN. Here’s Why I Support Requiring Hospital Admitting Privileges for Abortion Providers.
A decision is expected any day now from the U.S. Supreme Court in June Medical Services v. Russo. The case involves a challenge to the constitutionality of a Louisiana law, Act 620, that was passed in 2014. I testified in favor of it before the Louisiana legislature, and later, as an expert witness, took the stand…Damon Cudihy -
- Opinion
Focusing Public Policy on Nursing Homes Could Cut COVID-19 Deaths by Half
Here’s a question for public policy: If you could cut the COVID-19 death rate in half, would you do it? Policymakers could do that, if they act accordingly by greatly increasing testing of both residents and staff at nursing homes and other extended care facilities, the hottest of hot spots for coronavirus deaths. By now,…Brenda Fitzgerald -
- Opinion
Media Itching for Second Wave of COVID-19
The news media is churning out countless alarmist stories each day about the threat of COVID-19 and the dangers of societal reopening. “Risk of new lockdown rises with fear of second COVID-19 wave,” writes Reuters, as one example of the genre. These stories generally incite, rather than inform. They cherry-pick facts and lack context. Only when the…Thomas Price -
- Opinion
During Ebola Pandemic, Liberia Held Political Rallies
While President Donald Trump has endured criticism from some for planning to hold one of his first political campaign rallies Saturday evening in Tulsa, Oklahoma, when many parts of the country are reopening after being shut down due to the COVID-19 threat, political observers should remember that Liberia managed to hold political rallies in 2014…Hans von Spakovsky -
- News
Why COVID-19 and Our Racial Divide Make This Father’s Day Significant
The COVID-19 crisis and racial tensions make Father’s Day more important this year than most, says a social scientist and author who argues for the importance of fathers, especially in the development of boys to men. “We talk about no child left behind, but we also need to make sure no parent is left behind,”…Fred Lucas -
- Opinion
Why Democracy and Free Markets Are the Best Antidotes to Pandemics
In a recent article, The Economist provided compelling evidence that “democracies contain epidemics most effectively.” According to the article’s analysis, … most data suggest that political freedom can be a tonic against disease. The Economist has [analyzed] epidemics from 1960 to 2019. Though these outbreaks varied in contagiousness and lethality, a clear correlation emerged. Among…Anthony B. Kim -
- News
Prioritizing Federal Activity More Important in Wake of COVID-19
As America works toward bringing the COVID-19 pandemic under control, it is vital that the public and leaders make smart and informed decisions. To that end, The Heritage Foundation’s National Coronavirus Recovery Commission has released its final report, which features recommendations for policymakers, civil society, families, and businesses. Although most of the commission’s recommendations focus…David Ditch -
- Opinion
Responding to the Coronavirus Crisis and Building a Stronger Health Sector for the Future
Editor’s note: This is an open letter to the American people from 83 participants in the Health Policy Consensus Group and other health care leaders. Please see the full list of signatories at the end of this letter. The COVID-19 crisis has highlighted the need for flexibility in our health sector and for public officials…Marie Fishpaw -
- Opinion
After COVID-19, Only US Can Lead Way on Economic Recovery
The world never stops turning. Troubled times at home or not, the need for American leadership never lessens. Although the meeting of the Group of Seven leaders has been postponed, Washington should get the get-together back on track. The administration must build consensus for a free world post-COVID-19 economic recovery partnership and cement the deal…James Carafano -
- News
Coronavirus Pandemic ‘Could Have Been Prevented’ If Not for China’s Cover-Up, House GOP Report Finds
The global COVID-19 pandemic “could have been prevented” if not for China’s cover-up of the viral disease in its early stages, a new report from Republicans on the House Foreign Affairs Committee found. The report, released Monday evening, also condemned the China-aligned World Health Organization, concluding that the WHO “enabled” China’s cover-up of the outbreak. The report also called…Peter Hasson -
- News
With 265 Ideas, Coronavirus Panel Calls for US to Lead World in Recovering, Preparing for Next Pandemic
In a final report released Monday, The Heritage Foundation’s National Coronavirus Recovery Commission makes 265 recommendations for getting America back to work, stopping the spread of COVID-19, and being prepared for the next pandemic. The recommendations are aimed at federal, state, and local government leaders as well as the business and nonprofit sector amid a…Fred Lucas -
- Opinion
COVID-19 Should Incentivize States to Make Education Dollars Student-Centered
We are seeing some rays of optimism after the COVID-19 pandemic has forced school districts to close for months: Montana and Texas have become the first states to allow districts to reopen some of their schools. Unfortunately, we are also seeing more negative effects. The government response to COVID-19 resulted in school closures and a…Jude Schwalbach -
- News
How Sweden’s Touted Approach to COVID-19 Is Working So Far
Sweden’s less rigid response to COVID-19 came under sharper attack in the past week after having enjoyed popular support. It’s still difficult, however, to judge the success or failure of the policy. Sweden has had a lower number of new cases of the coronavirus, with fewer deaths than some European countries but still more than…Fred Lucas -
- News
HHS Scraps Obama Rules on Gender Identity, Abortion
Federal health officials announced a final rule Friday scrapping an Obama-era regulation that forced medical workers to perform abortions despite their religious beliefs. The Obama administration’s 2016 regulation, already vacated by a court ruling, also redefined sex-based discrimination in health care to include questions of gender identity. The old rule would have imposed nearly $3 billion…Fred Lucas