Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Rosalynn Carter, First Lady And Advocate For Mental Health, Dies At 96
Rosalynn Carter, the Georgia-bred former first lady and humanitarian who championed mental health care, provided constant political counsel to her husband, former President Jimmy Carter, and modeled graceful longevity for the nation, died Sunday,聽according to the Carter Center. She was 96. (Arkin, 11/19)
Rosalynn Carter, a close political and policy adviser to her husband, President Jimmy Carter, who created the modern Office of the First Lady and advocated for better treatment of the mentally ill during her years in the White House and for four decades afterward, died Nov. 19 at her home in Plains, Ga. She was 96. (Holley and Sullivan, 11/19)
More than 15 years before Mrs. Clinton caused a stir by leading President Clinton鈥檚 effort to overhaul the nation鈥檚 health care system, Mrs. Carter sought to upgrade the mental health system and expand services and protections for older Americans. Barred by statute from serving in an official capacity, Mrs. Carter was named honorary chairwoman of her husband鈥檚 mental health commission and led the White House Conference on Aging. She conducted nationwide hearings on both topics, testified before Congress and pressed for legislation. (Seelye, 11/19)
The former first lady's death triggered many responses 鈥
First lady Jill Biden on Sunday remembered former first lady Rosalynn Carter for her efforts with mental health, caregiving and women鈥檚 rights while meeting with service members and their families in Norfolk, Va. 鈥淸Rosalynn] was well known for her efforts on mental health and caregiving and women鈥檚 rights,鈥 Biden said, standing alongside President Biden. (Nazarro, 11/19)
Vice President Kamala Harris also spotlighted Carter's work bringing the "issue of mental health out from the shadows into the national spotlight." "After leaving the White House, Mrs. Carter continued to serve our nation and the world鈥攊n particular, through her leadership of the Carter Center, which she founded with President Jimmy Carter to promote peace, improve public health, and support freedom and democracy around the globe," Harris said in a statement. (Chasan, 11/19)
