Jun 09 WATCH: Senate Appropriations Committee holds hearing with Xavier Becerra about HHS budget By News Desk Becerra detailed a $25 billion proposed increase in funding for the department to bring its total to about $131.7 billion in discretionary budget. Continue reading
Mar 27 US waives FBI checks on caregivers at new migrant facilities By Nomaan Merchant, Associated Press The Biden administration is not requiring FBI fingerprint background checks of caregivers at its rapidly expanding network of emergency sites to hold thousands of immigrant teenagers, alarming child welfare experts who say the waiver compromises safety. Continue reading
Feb 25 WATCH: Surgeon general, assistant HHS secretary nominees testify before Senate By Courtney Vinopal The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee on Feb. 25 will consider the nominations of Vivek Murthy for U.S. Surgeon General and Dr. Rachel Levine for assistant secretary of Health and Human Services. Continue reading
Feb 24 U.S. tries to expedite release of migrant children amid surge By Nomaan Merchant, Associated Press With its long-term facilities for immigrant children nearly full, the Biden administration is working to expedite the release of children to their relatives in the U.S. Continue reading
Jan 19 Biden taps Rachel Levine in historic pick for assistant health secretary By Will Weissert, Associated Press A pediatrician and former Pennsylvania physician general, Levine was appointed to her current post by Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf in 2017, making her one of the few transgender people serving in elected or appointed positions nationwide. Continue reading
Jan 08 States to receive initial $3 billion infusion for vaccines By David A. Lieb, Associated Press State and local governments will be receiving their first infusion of federal money to support vaccination efforts against the coronavirus. Continue reading
Dec 16 WATCH: Operation Warp Speed officials give COVID-19 vaccine update By Candice Norwood and Associated Press Approximately 2 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine have been allocated for jurisdictions to use next week. Continue reading
Oct 02 WATCH: HHS Secretary Azar testifies about COVID-19 and possible political interference By Laura Santhanam In recent weeks, the Trump administration has come under renewed scrutiny for attempts to influence official guidance, reportedly over the objections of government scientists. Continue reading
Sep 16 HHS official takes leave of absence after accusation of virus response meddling By Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, Associated Press He apologized on Wednesday to his staff for a Facebook video in which he reportedly said scientists battling the coronavirus are conspiring against President Donald Trump and warned of shooting in America if Trump were to lose the November election. Continue reading
Sep 16 WATCH: Any coronavirus vaccine this year likely in ‘very limited supply,’ CDC director says By Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, Matthew Perrone, Associated Press The shot wouldn’t be broadly available until the spring or summer of 2021, he estimated. Continue reading