Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
As Harris Moves Into Spotlight, Focus Tightens On Dems' Health Agenda
Kamala Harris is expected to pick up President Biden's policy torch as the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, but the reality is that she's stepping into a role leading the party at a time when it's biggest long-term health care goals have to some extent been realized. (Owens, Knight and Sullivan, 7/23)
PolitiFact has fact-checked Harris 46 times since 2012 in her roles as California attorney general, U.S. senator, Democratic presidential candidate and vice president. Her vice presidency was one of firsts: She is the first woman and first Black and Asian person to hold the position. Here鈥檚 a look at Harris鈥 fact-checked comments on topics including abortion and the economy and her potential 2024 opponents, Donald Trump and his running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance. (Czopek and Ramirez Uribe, 7/22)
The biggest abortion rights groups in US politics are lining up behind Kamala Harris鈥檚 bid for president, a show of faith in a politician who has already become the face of the White House鈥檚 fight over abortion rights 鈥 which is not only one of the election鈥檚 biggest issues but one of the few where Democrats have the advantage. Within hours of Joe Biden鈥檚 stunning announcement on Sunday that he would drop out of the presidential race and endorse the vice-president, Emilys List, which champions Democratic women who support abortion rights, and Reproductive Freedom for All, which advocates for abortion access and was previously known as Naral Pro-Choice America, officially endorsed Harris. Emilys List plans to pour at least $20m into the race in support of Harris. (Sherman, 7/22)
Vice President Kamala Harris鈥 willingness to speak freely about abortion could mark a turning point in the national conversation about women鈥檚 health, experts said Monday, a day after President Joe Biden announced he would not seek re-election. 鈥淪he talks about abortion rights, and she talks about it unapologetically,鈥 said Kelly Baden, vice president for public policy at the Guttmacher Institute, a nongovernmental research organization that works to expand reproductive rights. 鈥淪he makes the connection between all facets of reproductive health care and abortion rights.鈥 (Edwards and Harris, 7/22)
Kamala Harris is assertive and confident on the issue, while Trump and his running mate seem to be at odds over strategy. (Flowers, 7/23)
How is Donald Trump's health? 鈥
Donald Trump, a 78-year-old with a history of heart disease and obesity, according to experts, has not shared any updated bloodwork results or other specific information during this campaign to help experts assess his ongoing medical risks. Instead, he has released a vague, three-paragraph letter from his primary care physician, Bruce A. Aronwald, who wrote in November that the former president was in excellent physical and mental health, and who later said in a statement released by campaign officials to The Washington Post that 鈥渢here is no need for President Trump to release another medical report in addition to the one he recently made public.鈥 (Kranish, 7/22)