talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-17--Pompeo Says ‘Handful’ Of State Dept. Staffers Tested Positive For Coronavirus

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo officially acknowledged for the first time that a “ handful ” of his staff has been impacted by the coronavirus outbreak during a briefing at the State Department Tuesday .
“ We ’ ve had a couple of employees — you can count ’ em on one hand — who have positive tests , ” Pompeo said , without clarifying where the employees are stationed .
“ We ’ ve handled those exactly the way we ’ re asking every American to respond to those , wherever they find themselves in the world.
” Pompeo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with its operations despite reports of Americans abroad struggling to return home after governments imposed travel restrictions in an effort to combat the coronavirus outbreak .
While mentioning his department ’ s travel advisories , Pompeo said that “ it ’ s not just about our officers serving in these distant places protecting themselves and our team , ” but that it ’ s also about doing what ’ s right for Americans .
Repeatedly referring to the outbreak as “ the Wuhan virus ” — echoing President Trump calling it “ the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweet — Pompeo also took a whack at both Iran and China in light of the coronavirus ’ spread .
The secretary of state claimed that Iranian leaders lied about the virus for weeks in an effort to “ avoid responsibility ” for their “ gross incompetence.
” Pompeo added that he believes that the Iranian regime is “ an accomplice.
” Much like Trump ’ s remarks during a coronavirus task force briefing at the White House earlier Tuesday , Pompeo blasted Chinese leaders for their “ disinformation campaign ” that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Now is not the time for recrimination , now is the time to solve this global pandemic and work to take down risks to Americans and people all across the world , ” Pompeo said .
Pompeo ’ s latest remarks come the same day that the World Health Organization — which declared the coronavirus outbreak as a pandemic last week — reported that the outbreak has affected almost 180,000 people worldwide and that 7,500 deaths have occurred globally thus far .

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo officially acknowledged for the first time that a “handful” of his staff has been impacted by the coronavirus outbreak during a briefing at the State Department Tuesday.
“We’ve had a couple of employees — you can count ’em on one hand — who have positive tests,” Pompeo said, without clarifying where the employees are stationed. “We’ve handled those exactly the way we’re asking every American to respond to those, wherever they find themselves in the world.”
Pompeo insisted that his department is moving forward with its operations despite reports of Americans abroad struggling to return home after governments imposed travel restrictions in an effort to combat the coronavirus outbreak.
While mentioning his department’s travel advisories, Pompeo said that “it’s not just about our officers serving in these distant places protecting themselves and our team,” but that it’s also about doing what’s right for Americans.
Repeatedly referring to the outbreak as “the Wuhan virus” — echoing President Trump calling it “the Chinese virus” earlier Tuesday in a tweet — Pompeo also took a whack at both Iran and China in light of the coronavirus’ spread.
The secretary of state claimed that Iranian leaders lied about the virus for weeks in an effort to “avoid responsibility” for their “gross incompetence.” Pompeo added that he believes that the Iranian regime is “an accomplice.”
Much like Trump’s remarks during a coronavirus task force briefing at the White House earlier Tuesday, Pompeo blasted Chinese leaders for their “disinformation campaign” that he believes is designed to shift responsibility.
“Now is not the time for recrimination, now is the time to solve this global pandemic and work to take down risks to Americans and people all across the world,” Pompeo said.
Pompeo’s latest remarks come the same day that the World Health Organization — which declared the coronavirus outbreak as a pandemic last week — reported that the outbreak has affected almost 180,000 people worldwide and that 7,500 deaths have occurred globally thus far.
Watch Pompeo’s remarks below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-18--Esper Says Navy Ships Treating Patients Without Coronavirus Will Help Alleviate Hospitals

Defense Secretary Mark Esper responded to President Trump ’ s remark earlier Wednesday that he ’ s preparing to deploy two Navy hospital ships to treat patients seeking treatments for ailments not related to the coronavirus during an interview on CNN .
Earlier Wednesday during the coronavirus task force briefing at the White House , Esper said that the Pentagon is going to free up five million protective masks and 2,000 ventilators in the wake of hospitals experiencing a severe shortage of key supplies .
When asked by CNN ’ s Jake Tapper about Trump talking about deploying hospital ships @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the west coast — to help overwhelmed medical facilities , Esper agreed with the notion that the ships will be something like “ floating emergency rooms ” for other medical issues .
“ Yeah , you have to keep in mind — and I ’ ve had this discussion with my colleagues in the interagency , I ’ ve talked to several governors as well — that DOD capabilities , quite naturally , are built for trauma , ” Esper said .
“ If you look at our field hospitals , another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well , or these hospital ships , they ’ re geared toward wartime trauma — think broken bones and head injuries and lacerations and things like that.
” Esper said that he ’ s told some governors that the DOD can “ provide a capability that we can deliver on site ” or near the site of a civilian hospital in order to open up more rooms for patients diagnosed with COVID-19 .
After mentioning that COVID-19 patients require special sequestered rooms , Esper added that he sees the deployment of both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opening up rooms ” and “ a different approach.
” “ We want to make all that available so that we ’ re doing everything we can to help the American people , ” Esper said .
Asked how soon he thinks the hospital ships will be deployed , Esper responded that both are “ at a different status at the President ’ s direction , ” but estimated that both should be ready in a couple of weeks and “ definitely ” before the end of the month .

Defense Secretary Mark Esper responded to President Trump’s remark earlier Wednesday that he’s preparing to deploy two Navy hospital ships to treat patients seeking treatments for ailments not related to the coronavirus during an interview on CNN.
Earlier Wednesday during the coronavirus task force briefing at the White House, Esper said that the Pentagon is going to free up five million protective masks and 2,000 ventilators in the wake of hospitals experiencing a severe shortage of key supplies.
When asked by CNN’s Jake Tapper about Trump talking about deploying hospital ships — one to New York and another to the west coast — to help overwhelmed medical facilities, Esper agreed with the notion that the ships will be something like “floating emergency rooms” for other medical issues.
“Yeah, you have to keep in mind — and I’ve had this discussion with my colleagues in the interagency, I’ve talked to several governors as well — that DOD capabilities, quite naturally, are built for trauma,” Esper said. “If you look at our field hospitals, another capability that we’ve offered up as well, or these hospital ships, they’re geared toward wartime trauma — think broken bones and head injuries and lacerations and things like that.”
Esper said that he’s told some governors that the DOD can “provide a capability that we can deliver on site” or near the site of a civilian hospital in order to open up more rooms for patients diagnosed with COVID-19.
After mentioning that COVID-19 patients require special sequestered rooms, Esper added that he sees the deployment of both Navy ships as “a way of opening up rooms” and “a different approach.”
“We want to make all that available so that we’re doing everything we can to help the American people,” Esper said.
Asked how soon he thinks the hospital ships will be deployed, Esper responded that both are “at a different status at the President’s direction,” but estimated that both should be ready in a couple of weeks and “definitely” before the end of the month.
Watch Esper’s remarks below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-18--Judicial Watch Founder Sues Chinese Gov’t Over ‘Bioweapon’ COVID-19

Larry Klayman , the co-founder of the conservative groups Judicial Watch and Freedom Watch , has sued the Chinese government , alleging that the COVID-19 pandemic was the result of a Chinese bioweapon that made its way around the world .
The suit relies on tabloid news articles that succeeded in spreading the now-popular conspiracy theory that the disease originated as a man-made biological weapon — a theory that ’ s been debunked repeatedly for weeks by public health officials and medical experts .
“ Although it appears that the COVID-19 virus was released at an unplanned , unexpected time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a biological weapon to be used against China ’ s perceived enemies , including but not limited to the people of the United States , ” the suit reads .
That claim conflicts with epidemiologists and public health officials worldwide who assert the virus that causes COVID-19 came from the natural world , not a Chinese lab .
“ We stand together to strongly condemn conspiracy theories suggesting that COVID-19 does not have a natural origin , ” an international group of public health scientists wrote in the medical journal Lancet in mid-February @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Scientists from multiple countries have published and analyzed genomes of the causative agent , severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 ( SARS-CoV-2 ) , and they overwhelmingly conclude that this coronavirus originated in wildlife , as have so many other emerging pathogens , ” the scientists wrote .
Klayman ’ s suit also lists as plaintiffs his group Freedom Watch and and Buzz Photos , a high school sports photography company in North Texas .
It lists the Chinese military and the Wuhan Institute of Virology as defendants , in addition to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a jury trial and damages “ in excess of $ 20 trillion.
” According to Klayman , China and the government lab in Wuhan materially supported an act of international terrorism , violated international agreements against biological warfare and conspired to kill Americans .
Neither Klayman nor the Chinese embassy immediately returned TPM ’ s request for comment .
Conspiracies about COVID-19 were first broadcast to mass audiences through since-debunked or speculative articles in publications like the Washington Times and the New York Post , both of which were cited in Klayman ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been buoyed by government officials , like Sen. Tom Cotton ( R-AK ) , who in February noted during an interview , “ we also know that just a few miles away from that food market is China ’ s only biosafety level 4 super laboratory that researches human infectious diseases .
”

Larry Klayman, the co-founder of the conservative groups Judicial Watch and Freedom Watch, has sued the Chinese government, alleging that the COVID-19 pandemic was the result of a Chinese bioweapon that made its way around the world.
The suit relies on tabloid news articles that succeeded in spreading the now-popular conspiracy theory that the disease originated as a man-made biological weapon — a theory that’s been debunked repeatedly for weeks by public health officials and medical experts.
“Although it appears that the COVID-19 virus was released at an unplanned, unexpected time, it was prepared and stockpiled as a biological weapon to be used against China’s perceived enemies, including but not limited to the people of the United States,” the suit reads.
That claim conflicts with epidemiologists and public health officials worldwide who assert the virus that causes COVID-19 came from the natural world, not a Chinese lab.
“We stand together to strongly condemn conspiracy theories suggesting that COVID-19 does not have a natural origin,” an international group of public health scientists wrote in the medical journal Lancet in mid-February, as the conspiracy gained steam.
“Scientists from multiple countries have published and analyzed genomes of the causative agent, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and they overwhelmingly conclude that this coronavirus originated in wildlife, as have so many other emerging pathogens,” the scientists wrote.
Klayman’s suit also lists as plaintiffs his group Freedom Watch and and Buzz Photos, a high school sports photography company in North Texas. It lists the Chinese military and the Wuhan Institute of Virology as defendants, in addition to the Chinese government. The suit demands a jury trial and damages “in excess of $20 trillion.”
According to Klayman, China and the government lab in Wuhan materially supported an act of international terrorism, violated international agreements against biological warfare and conspired to kill Americans.
Neither Klayman nor the Chinese embassy immediately returned TPM’s request for comment.
Conspiracies about COVID-19 were first broadcast to mass audiences through since-debunked or speculative articles in publications like the Washington Times and the New York Post, both of which were cited in Klayman’s suit.
They’ve also been buoyed by government officials, like Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AK), who in February noted during an interview, “we also know that just a few miles away from that food market is China’s only biosafety level 4 super laboratory that researches human infectious diseases.”
Read the suit below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-18--What Census Told Field Workers About Avoiding COVID-19 Before Pausing Operations

The coronavirus outbreak couldn ’ t have come at worst time for the 2020 census , and , to wit @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday that it was pausing field operations through April 1 to protect its workers and @ @ @ @ @ .
Americans can still respond to the survey online , over the phone or by @ @ @ @ @ relies on in-person interactions to encourage participation , follow up with households that haven ’ @ @ @ @ @ and conduct other operations aimed at obtaining information for the survey .
Much of that @ @ @ @ @ full swing yet , and the Bureau said on Wednesday that it “ will continue @ @ @ @ @ operations ” throughout the current suspension .
This guidance that the Bureau provided fieldworkers on @ @ @ @ @ operations were put on pause ) helps illuminate why this outbreak is creating such a @ @ @ @ @ .

The coronavirus outbreak couldn’t have come at worst time for the 2020 census, and, to wit, the Census Bureau announced Wednesday that it was pausing field operations through April 1 to protect its workers and the public in the pandemic.
Americans can still respond to the survey online, over the phone or by mail. But the Bureau relies on in-person interactions to encourage participation, follow up with households that haven’t responded on their own and conduct other operations aimed at obtaining information for the survey.
Much of that activity isn’t in full swing yet, and the Bureau said on Wednesday that it “will continue to evaluate all 2020 Census operations” throughout the current suspension.
This guidance that the Bureau provided fieldworkers on avoiding COVID-19 (before their operations were put on pause) helps illuminate why this outbreak is creating such a challenge for the decennial census.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-18--Conway On WH Staffer Allegedly Calling Coronavirus ‘Kung Flu’: ‘I’m Not Dealing In Hypotheticals’

On Wednesday , White House senior adviser Kellyanne Conway said it was “ wrong ” for a White House staffer to allegedly refer to COVID-19 as “ the Kung Flu , ” but she refused to fully address the allegation when reporters wouldn ’ t give her a name .
“ I ’ m not dealing in hypotheticals , ” Conway said when asked for her response to the comment .
“ Of course it ’ s wrong , but you can ’ t just make an accusation without saying who it is.
” She demanded to know the identity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made the remark to CBS News correspondent Weijia Jian on Tuesday .
When reporters kept pressing her on the issue , Conway pointed to her half-Filipino husband , George Conway .
“ I ’ m not going to engage in hypotheticals , ” the adviser said .
“ I ’ m married to an Asian .
My kids are , partly … my kids are 25 percent Filipino.
” Conway continued to demand for a name , and grew frustrated when the reporters explained that they couldn ’ t reveal their sources .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the source ?
I certainly didn ’ t say it .
I don ’ t believe it , ” she said .
“ So why don ’ t we go to the source and tell them that ’ s very hurtful and unhelpful for what we ’ re all trying to do.
” President Donald Trump has recently taken to calling COVID-19 “ the Chinese virus ” despite warnings that doing so stigmatizes Chinese-Americans .

On Wednesday, White House senior adviser Kellyanne Conway said it was “wrong” for a White House staffer to allegedly refer to COVID-19 as “the Kung Flu,” but she refused to fully address the allegation when reporters wouldn’t give her a name.
“I’m not dealing in hypotheticals,” Conway said when asked for her response to the comment. “Of course it’s wrong, but you can’t just make an accusation without saying who it is.”
She demanded to know the identity of the staffer, who had reportedly made the remark to CBS News correspondent Weijia Jian on Tuesday.
When reporters kept pressing her on the issue, Conway pointed to her half-Filipino husband, George Conway.
“I’m not going to engage in hypotheticals,” the adviser said. “I’m married to an Asian. My kids are, partly … my kids are 25 percent Filipino.”
Conway continued to demand for a name, and grew frustrated when the reporters explained that they couldn’t reveal their sources.
“Why don’t we go to the source? I certainly didn’t say it. I don’t believe it,” she said. “So why don’t we go to the source and tell them that’s very hurtful and unhelpful for what we’re all trying to do.”
President Donald Trump has recently taken to calling COVID-19 “the Chinese virus” despite warnings that doing so stigmatizes Chinese-Americans.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-18--Alabama Governor Pushes Sessions-Tuberville Runoff Election To July

Republicans will have to wait to rally behind a challenger to Sen. Doug Jones ( D-AL ) , as Alabama Gov .
Kay Ivey ( R ) pushed the March 31 Republican primary runoff election to July 14 amid the coronavirus outbreak .
The runoff is between former Senator Jeff Sessions ( R-AL ) and former Auburn University football coach Tommy Tuberville , who finished in the top two spots after the March 3 primary .
The governor ’ s postponement will also delay Republican runoffs for a couple of congressional seats .
“ This too shall pass , folks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ press conference .
“ It truly will pass — but it will only pass by following the doctor ’ s advice , by using a little common sense and by having some patience.
” Echoing her fellow governors who have made similar announcements this week , Ivey expressed concern for poll workers , often older and thus more at-risk to fall seriously ill , and at the idea of flouting guidelines about large groups congregating .
Attorney General Steve Marshall confirmed that Ivey has the unilateral authority to postpone the election under a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ seat as relatively easy pickings , after his major upset in the 2017 special election against a scandal-ridden Roy Moore .
Before that , a Democrat hadn ’ t won statewide in Alabama since 2008 and hadn ’ t won a senatorship since 1997 .
President Donald Trump endorsed Tuberville last week , a blow to the Sessions campaign and evidence of the lingering grudge Trump holds towards his former attorney general .

Republicans will have to wait to rally behind a challenger to Sen. Doug Jones (D-AL), as Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey (R) pushed the March 31 Republican primary runoff election to July 14 amid the coronavirus outbreak.
The runoff is between former Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) and former Auburn University football coach Tommy Tuberville, who finished in the top two spots after the March 3 primary. The governor’s postponement will also delay Republican runoffs for a couple of congressional seats.
“This too shall pass, folks,” Ivey said at a Wednesday press conference. “It truly will pass — but it will only pass by following the doctor’s advice, by using a little common sense and by having some patience.”
Echoing her fellow governors who have made similar announcements this week, Ivey expressed concern for poll workers, often older and thus more at-risk to fall seriously ill, and at the idea of flouting guidelines about large groups congregating.
Attorney General Steve Marshall confirmed that Ivey has the unilateral authority to postpone the election under a state of emergency.
Republicans see Jones’ seat as relatively easy pickings, after his major upset in the 2017 special election against a scandal-ridden Roy Moore. Before that, a Democrat hadn’t won statewide in Alabama since 2008 and hadn’t won a senatorship since 1997.
President Donald Trump endorsed Tuberville last week, a blow to the Sessions campaign and evidence of the lingering grudge Trump holds towards his former attorney general.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-18--Census Suspends 2020 Count’s Field Operations Until April Due To COVID-19

The Census Bureau announced Wednesday that it was suspending until April 1 the field operations involved in the 2020 decennial census , citing the need “ protect the health and safety of the American public , Census Bureau employees , and everyone going through the hiring process for temporary census taker positions.
” The announcement is the biggest move yet the Bureau has had to take to adapt its 2020 count plans to the COVID-19 pandemic .
Over the weekend , the Bureau announced that it was tweaking its programs geared at colleges , emergency shelters and group homes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ability of Americans to respond online , in the mail or over the phone .
According to Wednesday ’ s statement from Census Bureau Director Steven Dillingham , 11 million Americans have responded already .
Even before the outbreak , questions were raised about the Bureau ’ s efforts to reach hard-to-count-populations that may be unlikely or unable to use those methods to participate in the count .
The current health crisis has only exacerbated those concerns , and some local officials — particularly in New York , which has been both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home to traditionally hard-to-count communities — have suggested that that the deadline for complete the 2020 counting operation should be extended .
In a statement Saturday , Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said that for now the Bureau was sticking to its July 31 completion deadline , but that the deadline “ can and will be adjusted if necessary as the situation dictates in order to achieve a complete and accurate count.
” Dillingham ’ s statement didn ’ t explicitly reference that possibility of a deadline extension .
But it noted the Bureau @ @ @ @ @ @ @ door to door to seek the partipcation of people who had not by then responded to the survey .
“ As we continue to monitor the evolving COVID-19 outbreak , we will adjust census taker and survey operations as necessary in order to follow the guidance of federal , state and local health authorities , ” he said .

The Census Bureau announced Wednesday that it was suspending until April 1 the field operations involved in the 2020 decennial census, citing the need “protect the health and safety of the American public, Census Bureau employees, and everyone going through the hiring process for temporary census taker positions.”
The announcement is the biggest move yet the Bureau has had to take to adapt its 2020 count plans to the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the weekend, the Bureau announced that it was tweaking its programs geared at colleges, emergency shelters and group homes.
That and Wednesday’s announcement emphasized the ability of Americans to respond online, in the mail or over the phone.
According to Wednesday’s statement from Census Bureau Director Steven Dillingham, 11 million Americans have responded already.
Even before the outbreak, questions were raised about the Bureau’s efforts to reach hard-to-count-populations that may be unlikely or unable to use those methods to participate in the count. The current health crisis has only exacerbated those concerns, and some local officials — particularly in New York, which has been both hit hard by the virus and is home to traditionally hard-to-count communities — have suggested that that the deadline for complete the 2020 counting operation should be extended.
In a statement Saturday, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said that for now the Bureau was sticking to its July 31 completion deadline, but that the deadline “can and will be adjusted if necessary as the situation dictates in order to achieve a complete and accurate count.”
Dillingham’s statement didn’t explicitly reference that possibility of a deadline extension. But it noted the Bureau’s plans to begin sending enumerators door to door to seek the partipcation of people who had not by then responded to the survey.
“As we continue to monitor the evolving COVID-19 outbreak, we will adjust census taker and survey operations as necessary in order to follow the guidance of federal, state and local health authorities,” he said.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-18--Texas Governor Suspends Provisions Of State Code To Let Local Govs Delay Elections

Texas Gov .
Greg Abbott ( R ) suspended provisions of Texas ’ Election Code Wednesday to allow local governments @ @ @ @ @ elections until November 3 .
He said in a statement that he “ strongly encourages @ @ @ @ @ advantage of the allowance .
Secretary of State Ruth Hughs released corresponding guidance for local @ @ @ @ @ moving back the elections .
Texas already conducted its Democratic presidential primary on March 3 @ @ @ @ @ former Vice President Joe Biden .
The state has over 70 confirmed cases of coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ has already been shuttered .

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) suspended provisions of Texas’ Election Code Wednesday to allow local governments to postpone their May 2 elections until November 3.
Suspending provisions of the Texas Election Code to allow political subdivisions to postpone their 2020 local elections. This means local governments now have the ability to postpone their May 2, 2020 elections until November 3, 2020. https://t.co/VEvUhFxPXT pic.twitter.com/ZbrL6z1M0i — Gov. Greg Abbott (@GovAbbott) March 18, 2020
He said in a statement that he “strongly encourages” local governments to take advantage of the allowance.
Secretary of State Ruth Hughs released corresponding guidance for local governments on the logistics of moving back the elections.
Texas already conducted its Democratic presidential primary on March 3, which was won by former Vice President Joe Biden.
The state has over 70 confirmed cases of coronavirus, and the Texas Capitol has already been shuttered.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-18--READ: What Washington Told The Trump Admin About How Bad Its COVID19 Crisis Is

Washington state asked the Trump administration on Sunday for deep changes to its Medicaid program to address the coronavirus epidemic , describing in stark terms the scale of the threat it faces from the spread of the disease .
It passed somewhat under the radar , but the request lays out in detail not only the resources the state wants to combat the coronavirus pandemic , but how severe the situation has gotten .
The description Gov .
Jay Inslee provides as he pushes for the Trump administration to grant the emergency waiver is sobering .
“ The virus does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Federal and State authorities , ” Inslee wrote .
“ The need for additional prompt action is clear.
” TPM reported last week that Washington state health officials were desperate for President Trump to declare an emergency , which would allow the states to request changes to their Medicaid programs to address the crisis .
Florida was the first state to receive approval for changes , after Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services gave the green light on Wednesday .
Washington says in the waiver application that its health-care system is undergoing “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staffing , supplies , space , and equipment .
The state faces shortages in each , leading to longer ER wait times and forcing doctors and nurses to work overtime and take on additional shifts .
But the problem has been worsened by the fact that a “ significant number of clinical care providers and support staff are currently quarantined.
” The state also faces issues with the supply of respirators and personal protective equipment ( PPE ) necessary to prevent medical staff from contracting COVID-19 .
Washington describes a “ critical shortage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national stockpiles ” of PPE won ’ t meet the state ’ s demand , in part due to reduced supply from China .
But supply shortages in the state extend further : without specifying , the state says that it is running low on some medications , and that its blood stocks are “ critically low.
” The state also notes that it is running low on space to store more patients .
Washington ’ s experience sheds light on the details of what could soon happen in other COVID-19 hot spots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ providers in the state have already had their physical space “ exceeded , ” while some nursing homes won ’ t accept new patients without a negative COVID-19 test .
As of this writing , CMS has yet to approve the virus-stricken state ’ s request .
Read the request here here :

Washington state asked the Trump administration on Sunday for deep changes to its Medicaid program to address the coronavirus epidemic, describing in stark terms the scale of the threat it faces from the spread of the disease.
It passed somewhat under the radar, but the request lays out in detail not only the resources the state wants to combat the coronavirus pandemic, but how severe the situation has gotten.
The description Gov. Jay Inslee provides as he pushes for the Trump administration to grant the emergency waiver is sobering.
“The virus does not respect geographical boundaries or distinguish between Federal and State authorities,” Inslee wrote. “The need for additional prompt action is clear.”
TPM reported last week that Washington state health officials were desperate for President Trump to declare an emergency, which would allow the states to request changes to their Medicaid programs to address the crisis.
Florida was the first state to receive approval for changes, after Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services gave the green light on Wednesday.
Washington says in the waiver application that its health-care system is undergoing “severe stress” in the areas of staffing, supplies, space, and equipment.
The state faces shortages in each, leading to longer ER wait times and forcing doctors and nurses to work overtime and take on additional shifts.
But the problem has been worsened by the fact that a “significant number of clinical care providers and support staff are currently quarantined.”
The state also faces issues with the supply of respirators and personal protective equipment (PPE) necessary to prevent medical staff from contracting COVID-19.
Washington describes a “critical shortage,” saying that “regional and national stockpiles” of PPE won’t meet the state’s demand, in part due to reduced supply from China.
But supply shortages in the state extend further: without specifying, the state says that it is running low on some medications, and that its blood stocks are “critically low.”
The state also notes that it is running low on space to store more patients.
Washington’s experience sheds light on the details of what could soon happen in other COVID-19 hot spots around the country. Some health care providers in the state have already had their physical space “exceeded,” while some nursing homes won’t accept new patients without a negative COVID-19 test.
As of this writing, CMS has yet to approve the virus-stricken state’s request.
Read the request here here:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-18--Progressive Candidate Marie Newman Unseats Anti-LGBTQ, Anti-Abortion Dem Lipinski

Marie Newman , the progressive candidate in Illinois ’ Democratic primary , beat incumbent conservative Democrat Rep. Dan Lipinski ( D-IL ) during the state ’ s elections on Tuesday night .
“ I am bursting with pride and gratitude for the amazing coalition that helped bring about much needed change in our district , ” Newman said in a statement .
“ We are going to work together to lower health care costs , to fight climate change , and to build an economy that works for everyone.
” She will face off against GOP candidate Mike Fricilone in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seat secured in Illinois ’ reliably blue 3rd congressional district , Newman ’ s victory on Tuesday almost certainly guarantees that she will be the district ’ s new representative come 2021 .
Lipinski , who has been in office since 2005 , often bucked his party ’ s left-leaning stances , having voted against abortion rights , the Affordable Care Act and LGBTQ rights .
He also declined to endorse President Barack Obama in the 2012 election .
But despite the Illinois congressman ’ s conservative record , the Democratic establishment has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee ( DCCC ) , the party ’ s top fundraising arm , boosted Lipinski ’ s reelection campaign .
DCCC chair Rep. Cheri Bustos ( D-IL ) had planned to attend one of his fundraising events last year , then cancelled her scheduled appearance after receiving backlash for the move .
Bustos stood by her support for Lipinski , however , citing the DCCC ’ s mission of backing all incumbents to “ protect our big tent Democratic caucus.
” House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer ( D-MD ) made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lipinski , saying that anti-abortion lawmakers are “ absolutely ” welcome in the pro-choice party .
The conservative Democrat also benefited from the DCCC ’ s new policy of blacklisting vendors who work with Democratic primary challengers , which Newman claimed had cost her several campaign staffers .
On Wednesday , Bustos issued a response thanking Lipinski for his “ tireless service ” and stating that she had reached out to Newman to congratulate her .
“ I know Marie will be a strong voice on behalf of working people in her community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with her to deliver results for families in our state , ” the DCCC chair said .
In her fight against Lipinski , Newman enjoyed the support of high-profile progressive advocacy groups and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D-NY ) , who similarly defeated a party establishment favorite in an upset primary race in 2018 .
This post has been updated with Bustos ’ statement .

Marie Newman, the progressive candidate in Illinois’ Democratic primary, beat incumbent conservative Democrat Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-IL) during the state’s elections on Tuesday night.
“I am bursting with pride and gratitude for the amazing coalition that helped bring about much needed change in our district,” Newman said in a statement. “We are going to work together to lower health care costs, to fight climate change, and to build an economy that works for everyone.”
She will face off against GOP candidate Mike Fricilone in November. But with Lipinski’s seat secured in Illinois’ reliably blue 3rd congressional district, Newman’s victory on Tuesday almost certainly guarantees that she will be the district’s new representative come 2021.
Lipinski, who has been in office since 2005, often bucked his party’s left-leaning stances, having voted against abortion rights, the Affordable Care Act and LGBTQ rights. He also declined to endorse President Barack Obama in the 2012 election.
But despite the Illinois congressman’s conservative record, the Democratic establishment has thrown its support behind him.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), the party’s top fundraising arm, boosted Lipinski’s reelection campaign. DCCC chair Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-IL) had planned to attend one of his fundraising events last year, then cancelled her scheduled appearance after receiving backlash for the move.
Bustos stood by her support for Lipinski, however, citing the DCCC’s mission of backing all incumbents to “protect our big tent Democratic caucus.” House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) made a similar comment amid the controversy over Lipinski, saying that anti-abortion lawmakers are “absolutely” welcome in the pro-choice party.
The conservative Democrat also benefited from the DCCC’s new policy of blacklisting vendors who work with Democratic primary challengers, which Newman claimed had cost her several campaign staffers.
On Wednesday, Bustos issued a response thanking Lipinski for his “tireless service” and stating that she had reached out to Newman to congratulate her.
“I know Marie will be a strong voice on behalf of working people in her community, and I look forward to working with her to deliver results for families in our state,” the DCCC chair said.
In her fight against Lipinski, Newman enjoyed the support of high-profile progressive advocacy groups and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), who similarly defeated a party establishment favorite in an upset primary race in 2018.
This post has been updated with Bustos’ statement.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-18--Sanders Is Assessing His Campaign After Another Disappointing Primary Finish

Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I-VT ) is assessing his campaign after former Vice President Joe Biden swept all three primaries Tuesday night .
On Tuesday night , it didn ’ t take long after polls closed for networks to project Biden as the winner in Florida and Illinois .
Arizona was still too early to call at the end of Tuesday night , but the former VP was projected to win the state ’ s Democratic primary the next morning .
Although Ohio was originally scheduled to hold its primaries Tuesday , the state postponed its in-person contest to June @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In a statement shared with TPM , Sanders campaign manager Faiz Shakir said that the Vermont senator will have “ conversations with supporters to assess his campaign.
” Acknowledging that the next primaries are at least three weeks away , Shakir also mentioned in the statement that Sanders will focus his attention on the government ’ s response to the coronavirus outbreak and taking care of working people as well as “ the most vulnerable.
” Sanders ’ latest setback came just a few days after his first Democratic primary debate narrowing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week , after Biden scored major wins in the Michigan , Missouri , Mississippi and Idaho Democratic primaries , Sanders admitted that it was “ not a good night for our campaign from a delegate point of view ” but that he ’ d continue his campaign .

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) is assessing his campaign after former Vice President Joe Biden swept all three primaries Tuesday night.
On Tuesday night, it didn’t take long after polls closed for networks to project Biden as the winner in Florida and Illinois. Arizona was still too early to call at the end of Tuesday night, but the former VP was projected to win the state’s Democratic primary the next morning. Although Ohio was originally scheduled to hold its primaries Tuesday, the state postponed its in-person contest to June 2 in light of the COVID-19 outbreak.
In a statement shared with TPM, Sanders campaign manager Faiz Shakir said that the Vermont senator will have “conversations with supporters to assess his campaign.”
Acknowledging that the next primaries are at least three weeks away, Shakir also mentioned in the statement that Sanders will focus his attention on the government’s response to the coronavirus outbreak and taking care of working people as well as “the most vulnerable.”
Sanders’ latest setback came just a few days after his first Democratic primary debate narrowing down to a two-man race.
Last week, after Biden scored major wins in the Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi and Idaho Democratic primaries, Sanders admitted that it was “not a good night for our campaign from a delegate point of view” but that he’d continue his campaign.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-19--Trump Campaign, RNC Switch To Virtual Fundraising Events Due To Coronavirus

President Trump ’ s re-election campaign and the Republican National Committee have suspended in-person fundraising events , opting instead to fundraise through a digital platform in light of the coronavirus pandemic .
According to a CNBC report Thursday , Trump ’ s campaign and the RNC have signaled to their allies that in-person events are no longer in their plans now that the coronavirus outbreak has impacted all 50 states and Washington , D.C. Trump campaign spokesperson Tim Murtaugh told CNBC that both the President and the RNC are in an “ incredibly strong position ” given how their existing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ While we are temporarily suspending in-person fundraising events , we will still be able to gather support from Americans who fully support President Trump , his accomplishments , and his leadership , ” Murtaugh told CNBC , confirming plans to hold virtual fundraising events .
Striking a similar tone , RNC spokesperson Mandi Merritt said the committee will also use digital and direct mail platforms to engage with voters .
“ We have a variety of tools that allow us to continue to succeed even without holding in person events .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mail platforms that allow us to engage with voters and talk to our supporters about the issues they care most about , ” Merritt told CNBC .
“ Those tools will continue to produce strong responses.
” The move comes on the heels of former Vice President Joe Biden ’ s campaign moving to virtual events as a precautionary measure in light of the coronavirus outbreak .
Last week , Trump began canceling events and rallies that were previously scheduled for later this month , which White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an abundance of caution from the coronavirus outbreak .
”

President Trump’s re-election campaign and the Republican National Committee have suspended in-person fundraising events, opting instead to fundraise through a digital platform in light of the coronavirus pandemic.
According to a CNBC report Thursday, Trump’s campaign and the RNC have signaled to their allies that in-person events are no longer in their plans now that the coronavirus outbreak has impacted all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
Trump campaign spokesperson Tim Murtaugh told CNBC that both the President and the RNC are in an “incredibly strong position” given how their existing digital operations give them an advantage.
“While we are temporarily suspending in-person fundraising events, we will still be able to gather support from Americans who fully support President Trump, his accomplishments, and his leadership,” Murtaugh told CNBC, confirming plans to hold virtual fundraising events.
Striking a similar tone, RNC spokesperson Mandi Merritt said the committee will also use digital and direct mail platforms to engage with voters.
“We have a variety of tools that allow us to continue to succeed even without holding in person events. We have invested in robust digital and direct mail platforms that allow us to engage with voters and talk to our supporters about the issues they care most about,” Merritt told CNBC. “Those tools will continue to produce strong responses.”
The move comes on the heels of former Vice President Joe Biden’s campaign moving to virtual events as a precautionary measure in light of the coronavirus outbreak.
Last week, Trump began canceling events and rallies that were previously scheduled for later this month, which White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said was a decision made “out of an abundance of caution from the coronavirus outbreak.”
Read CNBC’s report here.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-19--How COVID-19 Has Policy Makers, Experts And Reporters Scrambling

The chaos of the coronavirus is scrambling all levels of health-care policymaking and analysis right now .
It ’ s been just a few weeks since we started putting significant — and now total — attention on how medical providers , states and the federal government are responding to the crisis .
Every day , the channels of information we ’ re working through are getting more convoluted and confusing .
For instance , there was a time early on when we could get officials from a state ’ s health department on the phone in a matter of minutes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to an inquiry can take hours , if not days .
The delay in response reflects not just how overwhelming the situation has now gotten in certain parts of the county , but also how fluid the circumstances are in the health care policy decisions experts are making .
What could be true one day might not be true the next .
State officials in both Washington and North Carolina have bemoaned the “ inundation ” that has befallen them in conversations with TPM , saying that it has been difficult to manage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while anticipating what is to come .
For instance , a California doctor told us he saw no need for his emergency room to get relief from a federal mandate on which patients his hospital must treat , as other states are now trying to do .
But he said that within a few days for that to change .
That ’ s a far shorter time period than it usually takes for states to get such exemptions to federal health-care requirements approved .
And the outside experts who help us analyze what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are facing their own challenges in digesting the firehose of information coming out .
Those experts have been giving us insight on what changes states want to make to their Medicaid programs to adapt to the crisis .
But they ’ re having a harder and harder time keeping up with the slew of proposals .
Right now , about a handful of states have filed waiver applications , some of them including dozens of proposed changes to health-care systems .
Experts are expecting that number to grow significantly in the days to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all the requests organized in a centralized place .
Likewise , the guidance that the Trump administration has issued to assist states in getting those changes approved has come at a rapid pace , and not all of the guidance documents fit neatly together .
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services director Seema Verma is holding regular phone calls with Medicaid administrators .
One person who participated in a Wednesday evening call with Verma told TPM that she told the states , “ tell us what you need , and we ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there hasn ’ t really been a template offered for what states can ask for in the case of a national catastrophe like a pandemic , and how they can ask for it .
CMS has said it plans to put out a checklist states can use to streamline their efforts to change their programs .
States , it appears , don ’ t feel they have time to wait for that clarity about how they should be filing their requests .
Instead , some are filing waiver applications citing multiple laws that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grant them the approvals they ’ re seeking .
The effect of this COVID-19 crush is also apparent in our dealings with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services , and specifically CMS .
There too , spokespeople have had trouble responding to our questions in time for our deadlines , and have acknowledged that their staff are facing a high volume of inquiries related to COVID-19 and the policies that CMS is rolling out .

The chaos of the coronavirus is scrambling all levels of health-care policymaking and analysis right now. It’s been just a few weeks since we started putting significant — and now total — attention on how medical providers, states and the federal government are responding to the crisis. Every day, the channels of information we’re working through are getting more convoluted and confusing.
For instance, there was a time early on when we could get officials from a state’s health department on the phone in a matter of minutes. Now even getting an emailed response to an inquiry can take hours, if not days.
The delay in response reflects not just how overwhelming the situation has now gotten in certain parts of the county, but also how fluid the circumstances are in the health care policy decisions experts are making. What could be true one day might not be true the next.
State officials in both Washington and North Carolina have bemoaned the “inundation” that has befallen them in conversations with TPM, saying that it has been difficult to manage constantly changing situations in their own states while anticipating what is to come.
For instance, a California doctor told us he saw no need for his emergency room to get relief from a federal mandate on which patients his hospital must treat, as other states are now trying to do. But he said that within a few days for that to change. That’s a far shorter time period than it usually takes for states to get such exemptions to federal health-care requirements approved.
And the outside experts who help us analyze what policies states and medical providers are pushing are facing their own challenges in digesting the firehose of information coming out.
Those experts have been giving us insight on what changes states want to make to their Medicaid programs to adapt to the crisis. But they’re having a harder and harder time keeping up with the slew of proposals. Right now, about a handful of states have filed waiver applications, some of them including dozens of proposed changes to health-care systems. Experts are expecting that number to grow significantly in the days to come, and are struggling to keep all the requests organized in a centralized place.
Likewise, the guidance that the Trump administration has issued to assist states in getting those changes approved has come at a rapid pace, and not all of the guidance documents fit neatly together.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services director Seema Verma is holding regular phone calls with Medicaid administrators. One person who participated in a Wednesday evening call with Verma told TPM that she told the states, “tell us what you need, and we’ll get you what you need.”
But there hasn’t really been a template offered for what states can ask for in the case of a national catastrophe like a pandemic, and how they can ask for it. CMS has said it plans to put out a checklist states can use to streamline their efforts to change their programs.
States, it appears, don’t feel they have time to wait for that clarity about how they should be filing their requests. Instead, some are filing waiver applications citing multiple laws that could give the administration the authority to grant them the approvals they’re seeking.
The effect of this COVID-19 crush is also apparent in our dealings with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and specifically CMS.
There too, spokespeople have had trouble responding to our questions in time for our deadlines, and have acknowledged that their staff are facing a high volume of inquiries related to COVID-19 and the policies that CMS is rolling out.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-19--Burr Dumped Up To $1.6 Million Of Stock After Reassuring Public About Coronavirus Preparedness

Soon after he offered public assurances that the government was ready to battle the coronavirus , the powerful chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee , Richard Burr , sold off a significant percentage of his stocks , unloading between $ 582,029 and $ 1.56 million of his holdings on Feb. 13 in 29 separate transactions .
As the head of the intelligence committee , Burr , a North Carolina Republican , has access to the government ’ s most highly classified information about threats to America ’ s security .
His committee was receiving daily coronavirus briefings around this time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A week after Burr ’ s sales , the stock market began a sharp decline and has lost about 30 % since .
On Thursday , Burr came under fire after NPR obtained a secret recording from Feb. 27 , in which the lawmaker gave a VIP group at an exclusive social club a much more dire preview of the economic impact of the coronavirus than what he had told the public .
“ Senator Burr filed a financial disclosure form for personal transactions made several weeks before the U.S. and financial markets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ growing coronavirus outbreak , ” his spokesperson said .
“ As the situation continues to evolve daily , he has been deeply concerned by the steep and sudden toll this pandemic is taking on our economy.
” Burr is not a particularly wealthy member of the Senate : Roll Call estimated his net worth at $ 1.7 million in 2018 , indicating that the February sales significantly shaped his financial fortunes and spared him from some of the pain that many Americans are now facing .
He was one of the authors of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which shapes the nation ’ s response to public health threats like the coronavirus .
Burr ’ s office did not respond to requests for comment about what sort of briefing materials , if any , on the coronavirus threat Burr may have seen as chair of the intelligence committee before his selling spree .
According to the NPR report , Burr told attendees of the luncheon held at the Capitol Hill Club : “ There ’ s one thing that I can tell you about this : It is much more aggressive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have seen in recent history … It is probably more akin to the 1918 pandemic.
” He warned that companies might have to curtail their employees ’ travel , that schools could close and that the military might be mobilized to compensate for overwhelmed hospitals .
The luncheon was organized by the Tar Heel Circle , a club for businesses and organizations in North Carolina that are charged up to $ 10,000 for membership and are promised “ interaction with top leaders and staff from Congress , the administration , and the private @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been considerably less dire .
In a Feb. 7 op-ed that he co-authored with another senator , he assured the public that “ the United States today is better prepared than ever before to face emerging public health threats , like the coronavirus.
” He wrote , “ No matter the outbreak or threat , Congress and the federal government have been vigilant in identifying gaps in its readiness efforts and improving its response capabilities.
” Members of Congress are required by law to disclose their securities transactions .
Burr was one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opposed the bill that explicitly barred lawmakers and their staff from using nonpublic information for trades and required regular disclosure of those trades .
In opposing the bill , Burr argued at the time that insider trading laws already applied to members of Congress .
President Barack Obama signed the bill , known as the STOCK Act , that year .
Stock transactions of lawmakers are reported in ranges .
Burr ’ s Feb. 13 selling spree was his largest stock selling day of at least the past 14 months , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Unlike his typical disclosure reports , which are a mix of sales and purchases , all of the transactions were sales .
His biggest sales included companies that are among the most vulnerable to an economic slowdown .
He dumped up to $ 150,000 worth of shares of Wyndham Hotels and Resorts , a chain based in the United States that has lost two-thirds of its value .
And he sold up to $ 100,000 of shares of Extended Stay America , an economy hospitality chain .
Shares of that company are now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did at the time Burr sold .
The assets come from accounts that are held by Burr , belong to his spouse or are jointly held .

Soon after he offered public assurances that the government was ready to battle the coronavirus, the powerful chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Richard Burr, sold off a significant percentage of his stocks, unloading between $582,029 and $1.56 million of his holdings on Feb. 13 in 29 separate transactions.
As the head of the intelligence committee, Burr, a North Carolina Republican, has access to the government’s most highly classified information about threats to America’s security. His committee was receiving daily coronavirus briefings around this time, according to a Reuters story.
A week after Burr’s sales, the stock market began a sharp decline and has lost about 30% since.
On Thursday, Burr came under fire after NPR obtained a secret recording from Feb. 27, in which the lawmaker gave a VIP group at an exclusive social club a much more dire preview of the economic impact of the coronavirus than what he had told the public.
“Senator Burr filed a financial disclosure form for personal transactions made several weeks before the U.S. and financial markets showed signs of volatility due to the growing coronavirus outbreak,” his spokesperson said. “As the situation continues to evolve daily, he has been deeply concerned by the steep and sudden toll this pandemic is taking on our economy.”
Burr is not a particularly wealthy member of the Senate: Roll Call estimated his net worth at $1.7 million in 2018, indicating that the February sales significantly shaped his financial fortunes and spared him from some of the pain that many Americans are now facing.
He was one of the authors of the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act, which shapes the nation’s response to public health threats like the coronavirus. Burr’s office did not respond to requests for comment about what sort of briefing materials, if any, on the coronavirus threat Burr may have seen as chair of the intelligence committee before his selling spree.
According to the NPR report, Burr told attendees of the luncheon held at the Capitol Hill Club: “There’s one thing that I can tell you about this: It is much more aggressive in its transmission than anything that we have seen in recent history … It is probably more akin to the 1918 pandemic.”
He warned that companies might have to curtail their employees’ travel, that schools could close and that the military might be mobilized to compensate for overwhelmed hospitals.
The luncheon was organized by the Tar Heel Circle, a club for businesses and organizations in North Carolina that are charged up to $10,000 for membership and are promised “interaction with top leaders and staff from Congress, the administration, and the private sector.”
Burr’s public comments had been considerably less dire. In a Feb. 7 op-ed that he co-authored with another senator, he assured the public that “the United States today is better prepared than ever before to face emerging public health threats, like the coronavirus.” He wrote, “No matter the outbreak or threat, Congress and the federal government have been vigilant in identifying gaps in its readiness efforts and improving its response capabilities.”
Members of Congress are required by law to disclose their securities transactions.
Burr was one of just three senators who in 2012 opposed the bill that explicitly barred lawmakers and their staff from using nonpublic information for trades and required regular disclosure of those trades. In opposing the bill, Burr argued at the time that insider trading laws already applied to members of Congress. President Barack Obama signed the bill, known as the STOCK Act, that year.
Stock transactions of lawmakers are reported in ranges. Burr’s Feb. 13 selling spree was his largest stock selling day of at least the past 14 months, according to a ProPublica review of Senate records. Unlike his typical disclosure reports, which are a mix of sales and purchases, all of the transactions were sales.
His biggest sales included companies that are among the most vulnerable to an economic slowdown. He dumped up to $150,000 worth of shares of Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, a chain based in the United States that has lost two-thirds of its value. And he sold up to $100,000 of shares of Extended Stay America, an economy hospitality chain. Shares of that company are now worth less than half of what they did at the time Burr sold.
The assets come from accounts that are held by Burr, belong to his spouse or are jointly held.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-19--Trump Replaced ‘Corona’ With ‘Chinese’ In His Briefing Notes On COVID-19

President Donald Trump had a physical reminder to refer to COVID-19 , aka the coronavirus , as “ the Chinese virus ” in his notes for his press conference on Thursday .
A photo taken by Washington Post photographer Jabin Botsford shows that Trump or a White House staffer had crossed out “ Corona ” and replaced it with “ Chinese ” in his notes prior to the presser , during which Trump repeatedly used the phrase “ Chinese virus.
” “ I don ’ t think it ’ s racist at all , ” he said of the term @ @ @ @ @ @ @ referring to COVID-19 as “ the Chinese virus ” in recent days , ignoring concerns that doing so stigmatizes Chinese-Americans and makes them targets for racial discrimination .
Trump denied on Wednesday that his phrasing was racist and claimed that he has “ great love for all of the people from our country.
” He asserted that his use of the term was a response to a Chinese diplomat claiming without evidence that U.S. soldiers had started the virus outbreak in Wuhan , China .
“ It ’ s not gon na happen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ m president , ” Trump said .
“ It comes from China.
” That was the same day Dr. Mike Ryan , the executive director of the World Health Organization ( WHO ) , warned against using that term .
“ Viruses know no borders and they don ’ t care about your ethnicity , the color of your skin or how much money you have in the bank , ” he said during a press conference .
“ So it ’ s really important we be careful in the language we use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ individuals associated with the virus.
” In fact , WHO deliberately chose the term “ COVID-19 ” back in February because the organization wanted a label that “ did not refer to a geographical location , an animal , an individual or group of people.
” “ Having a name matters to prevent the use of other names that can be inaccurate or stigmatizing , ” said WHO Director General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus .

President Donald Trump had a physical reminder to refer to COVID-19, aka the coronavirus, as “the Chinese virus” in his notes for his press conference on Thursday.
A photo taken by Washington Post photographer Jabin Botsford shows that Trump or a White House staffer had crossed out “Corona” and replaced it with “Chinese” in his notes prior to the presser, during which Trump repeatedly used the phrase “Chinese virus.”
“I don’t think it’s racist at all,” he said of the term.
The President has taken to pointedly referring to COVID-19 as “the Chinese virus” in recent days, ignoring concerns that doing so stigmatizes Chinese-Americans and makes them targets for racial discrimination.
Trump denied on Wednesday that his phrasing was racist and claimed that he has “great love for all of the people from our country.” He asserted that his use of the term was a response to a Chinese diplomat claiming without evidence that U.S. soldiers had started the virus outbreak in Wuhan, China.
“It’s not gonna happen, not as long as I’m president,” Trump said. “It comes from China.”
That was the same day Dr. Mike Ryan, the executive director of the World Health Organization (WHO), warned against using that term.
“Viruses know no borders and they don’t care about your ethnicity, the color of your skin or how much money you have in the bank,” he said during a press conference. “So it’s really important we be careful in the language we use lest it lead to the profiling of individuals associated with the virus.”
In fact, WHO deliberately chose the term “COVID-19” back in February because the organization wanted a label that “did not refer to a geographical location, an animal, an individual or group of people.”
“Having a name matters to prevent the use of other names that can be inaccurate or stigmatizing,” said WHO Director General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-19--Connecticut Governor Delays Late April Presidential Primary

Connecticut Gov .
Ned Lamont ( D ) announced Thursday that he is moving the state ’ s April 28 @ @ @ @ @ to help stop the spread of the coronavirus outbreak .
Connecticut has 96 confirmed cases @ @ @ @ @ The state ’ s neighbor , New York , has the most cases in the @ @ @ @ @ Thursday that he is shuttering hair and nail salons , after closing bars and restaurants @ @ @ @ @ Louisiana , Georgia , Kentucky , Ohio and Maryland in delaying their primaries .
Some @ @ @ @ @ their primaries , like Alabama , have announced delays of other races .

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont (D) announced Thursday that he is moving the state’s April 28 presidential primary to June 2 to help stop the spread of the coronavirus outbreak.
In coordination with other states and our Secretary of the State, and in an effort to carry out Democracy while keeping public health a top priority, I have decided to move our presidential primary to June 2nd. I will provide more information later today. #COVID19 #2020Primaries — Governor Ned Lamont (@GovNedLamont) March 19, 2020
Connecticut has 96 confirmed cases of coronavirus so far. The state’s neighbor, New York, has the most cases in the country.
Lamont also announced Thursday that he is shuttering hair and nail salons, after closing bars and restaurants last week.
Connecticut joins Louisiana, Georgia, Kentucky, Ohio and Maryland in delaying their primaries. Some states who have already held their primaries, like Alabama, have announced delays of other races.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-19--There’ve Been At Least 5,000 Cases Of Price Gouging At US Stores Amid COVID-19 Outbreak

One store advertised hand sanitizer at $ 60 a bottle .
Another was accused of hawking it at $ 1 a squirt .
Chain stores were accused of selling $ 26 thermometers and face masks at the “ everyday low price ” of $ 39.95 a pair , while a convenience store offered toilet paper at $ 10 a roll next to a sign reading : “ This is not a joke.
” Across a country where lines are long , some shelves are empty and patience thin , authorities are receiving a surge of reports about people trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outrageous prices , phony cures and other scams .
An Associated Press survey of state attorneys general or consumer protection agencies across the country found the number exceeded 5,000 , with hundreds more coming in every day .
“ Greed is a powerful motivator for some people , ” said Josh Stein , the attorney general of North Carolina , where the number of reports jumped from 72 to 131 in a day .
“ It is inexcusable to prey on people in a vulnerable time to make a quick buck.
” AP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ look so far at the emerging problem .
In all , 40 states responded with numbers that included both tips and formally filed complaints against everything from individuals and mom-and-pop stores to big-box retailers .
The count is certainly low because it only includes cases in which someone went online or called to register a grievance .
Many others merely went to the court of social media to vent their outrage .
“ STOP SHOPPING HERE !
!
” one woman blared on Facebook next to cellphone photos of a Southern California grocery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ milk and $ 14.99 for cheddar cheese .
“ There are families out there who really need groceries and they ’ re overcharging.
” Beyond AP ’ s state count , efforts to prevent exploitation are also being carried out by individual cities , such as New York , which alone has received more than 1,000 complaints , issued 550 violations and imposed $ 275,000 in fines for gouging , including one case in which a store was accused of selling bottles of Purell at $ 79 each .
Among the items the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the prices on : aloe vera and rubbing alcohol , the ingredients that can be combined to make hand sanitizer .
States are still checking out many of the claims .
While some have gone to court against sellers , others have determined cases didn ’ t meet their legal standard for price-gouging , which generally involves an increase of more than 10 percent .
About 10 states have no such law .
States typically try to resolve reports not by pursuing fines or criminal charges but by confronting the retailer , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In Maine , investigators had photographic evidence from a shopper to back up the convenience store sale of the $ 10 rolls of toilet paper .
In Tennessee , where state lawyers forced two brothers to stop selling the more than 17,000 bottles of hand sanitizer they had hoarded , investigators checked out a tip that a store was charging $ 1 for a squirt of sanitizer .
There were reports of overpriced rice in Wisconsin and potatoes in Idaho .
In Connecticut , a seller was reportedly hawking medical masks at more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ One couple in Ohio reported that a thermometer they bought for $ 8 at a national chain store cost $ 26 two days later .
“ This is so wrong at a time of crisis , ” the wife wrote in her report about the thermometer .
“ Contact them and tell them they can ’ t do this.
” Some rural states reported no complaints .
A small slice of reports involved not high prices but false claims that products or services can test for or even cure the virus , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moderate symptoms but can be deadly for some .
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved no treatments or vaccines , and the National Institutes of Health says no scientific evidence exists to suggest alternative remedies can prevent or cure the illness .
That hasn ’ t stopped the likes of televangelist Jim Bakker pushing treatments with tiny silver particles and conspiracy theorist and Infowars host Alex Jones advertising toothpastes , creams and other products on his radio show .
Both were targets last week of cease-and-desist letters from New York ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government has sent warning letters to seven companies over false claims .
Pennsylvania , which with more than 1,200 reports had the most in the nation , created an email address dedicated to complaints .
Oregon launched a price-gouging hotline this week .
Oklahoma ’ s attorney general is shifting agents to its consumer protection unit .
In Michigan , where reports spiked from 363 on Tuesday morning to 572 by Wednesday afternoon , Attorney General Dana Nessel ’ s office issued cease-and-desist letters instructing businesses and online sellers to correct their pricing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to an Ann Arbor cleaning store that used its Twitter account to advertise Purell at prices that soared from $ 7.50 for one large bottle to $ 60 in mere days .
After customer backlash , the retailer called the tweeted advertisement a “ false post ” and lowered the prices .
Another warning letter went to the home improvement chain Menards .
Some of its stores doubled the price of a gallon of Clorox bleach to $ 8.99 and offered two types of 3M respirator masks for an “ everyday low price @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than four times what Home Depot advertised .
“ I ’ m very disappointed with Menards ’ choice of actions during this uneasy time , ” one man who believed he was overcharged for bleach wrote in an affidavit .
Menards spokesman Jeff Abbott said in a statement that the Wisconsin-based chain considered the Clorox price reasonable because the product had a higher bleach concentration that would last customers twice as long .
The statement didn ’ t address the respirator masks .
“ We are disappointed and are taking this very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in states including Florida were forwarding to the nation ’ s online retail giants — including Amazon , Walmart and eBay — reports that third-party sellers on their sites were overcharging .
In a statement , Walmart spokesman Kevin Gardner said the company is “ taking a firm stance ” against possible price-gouging on its Marketplace site .
Walmart ’ s policy calls for removing listings that are unfairly priced .
On Wednesday , a bipartisan group of House lawmakers urged the Justice Department — which has so far focused on false claims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ price gouging so that people “ have access to the items they need to protect themselves , their families , and their communities.
” In an AP interview this week , Attorney General William Barr pledged that the Justice Department would “ come down hard ” on profiteers so they are not “ taking advantage to further hurt the American people.
” Dunklin reported from Dallas and Pritchard from Los Angeles .
Michael Balsamo contributed reporting from Washington .

One store advertised hand sanitizer at $60 a bottle. Another was accused of hawking it at $1 a squirt. Chain stores were accused of selling $26 thermometers and face masks at the “everyday low price” of $39.95 a pair, while a convenience store offered toilet paper at $10 a roll next to a sign reading: “This is not a joke.”
Across a country where lines are long, some shelves are empty and patience thin, authorities are receiving a surge of reports about people trying to cash in on the coronavirus crisis with outrageous prices, phony cures and other scams. An Associated Press survey of state attorneys general or consumer protection agencies across the country found the number exceeded 5,000, with hundreds more coming in every day.
“Greed is a powerful motivator for some people,” said Josh Stein, the attorney general of North Carolina, where the number of reports jumped from 72 to 131 in a day. “It is inexcusable to prey on people in a vulnerable time to make a quick buck.”
AP’s survey is the most comprehensive look so far at the emerging problem. In all, 40 states responded with numbers that included both tips and formally filed complaints against everything from individuals and mom-and-pop stores to big-box retailers. The count is certainly low because it only includes cases in which someone went online or called to register a grievance.
Many others merely went to the court of social media to vent their outrage.
“STOP SHOPPING HERE!!” one woman blared on Facebook next to cellphone photos of a Southern California grocery charging $6.98 for a gallon of milk and $14.99 for cheddar cheese. “There are families out there who really need groceries and they’re overcharging.”
Beyond AP’s state count, efforts to prevent exploitation are also being carried out by individual cities, such as New York, which alone has received more than 1,000 complaints, issued 550 violations and imposed $275,000 in fines for gouging, including one case in which a store was accused of selling bottles of Purell at $79 each. Among the items the city is preventing stores from jacking up the prices on: aloe vera and rubbing alcohol, the ingredients that can be combined to make hand sanitizer.
States are still checking out many of the claims. While some have gone to court against sellers, others have determined cases didn’t meet their legal standard for price-gouging, which generally involves an increase of more than 10 percent. About 10 states have no such law.
States typically try to resolve reports not by pursuing fines or criminal charges but by confronting the retailer, which typically apologizes and lowers the price.
In Maine, investigators had photographic evidence from a shopper to back up the convenience store sale of the $10 rolls of toilet paper. In Tennessee, where state lawyers forced two brothers to stop selling the more than 17,000 bottles of hand sanitizer they had hoarded, investigators checked out a tip that a store was charging $1 for a squirt of sanitizer.
There were reports of overpriced rice in Wisconsin and potatoes in Idaho. In Connecticut, a seller was reportedly hawking medical masks at more than 10 times the normal value. One couple in Ohio reported that a thermometer they bought for $8 at a national chain store cost $26 two days later.
“This is so wrong at a time of crisis,” the wife wrote in her report about the thermometer. “Contact them and tell them they can’t do this.”
Some rural states reported no complaints. A small slice of reports involved not high prices but false claims that products or services can test for or even cure the virus, which in most people causes only mild or moderate symptoms but can be deadly for some. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved no treatments or vaccines, and the National Institutes of Health says no scientific evidence exists to suggest alternative remedies can prevent or cure the illness.
That hasn’t stopped the likes of televangelist Jim Bakker pushing treatments with tiny silver particles and conspiracy theorist and Infowars host Alex Jones advertising toothpastes, creams and other products on his radio show. Both were targets last week of cease-and-desist letters from New York’s attorney general, and the federal government has sent warning letters to seven companies over false claims.
Pennsylvania, which with more than 1,200 reports had the most in the nation, created an email address dedicated to complaints. Oregon launched a price-gouging hotline this week. Oklahoma’s attorney general is shifting agents to its consumer protection unit.
In Michigan, where reports spiked from 363 on Tuesday morning to 572 by Wednesday afternoon, Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office issued cease-and-desist letters instructing businesses and online sellers to correct their pricing or risk further action.
One went to an Ann Arbor cleaning store that used its Twitter account to advertise Purell at prices that soared from $7.50 for one large bottle to $60 in mere days. After customer backlash, the retailer called the tweeted advertisement a “false post” and lowered the prices.
Another warning letter went to the home improvement chain Menards. Some of its stores doubled the price of a gallon of Clorox bleach to $8.99 and offered two types of 3M respirator masks for an “everyday low price” of $39.95 a pair — more than four times what Home Depot advertised.
“I’m very disappointed with Menards’ choice of actions during this uneasy time,” one man who believed he was overcharged for bleach wrote in an affidavit.
Menards spokesman Jeff Abbott said in a statement that the Wisconsin-based chain considered the Clorox price reasonable because the product had a higher bleach concentration that would last customers twice as long. The statement didn’t address the respirator masks.
“We are disappointed and are taking this very seriously,” Abbott said.
Authorities in states including Florida were forwarding to the nation’s online retail giants — including Amazon, Walmart and eBay — reports that third-party sellers on their sites were overcharging.
In a statement, Walmart spokesman Kevin Gardner said the company is “taking a firm stance” against possible price-gouging on its Marketplace site. Walmart’s policy calls for removing listings that are unfairly priced.
On Wednesday, a bipartisan group of House lawmakers urged the Justice Department — which has so far focused on false claims rather than high prices — to police price gouging so that people “have access to the items they need to protect themselves, their families, and their communities.”
In an AP interview this week, Attorney General William Barr pledged that the Justice Department would “come down hard” on profiteers so they are not “taking advantage to further hurt the American people.”
___
Dunklin reported from Dallas and Pritchard from Los Angeles. Michael Balsamo contributed reporting from Washington.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-19--COVID-19’s Frontline Fighters Face Wrenching Decisions On Who To Treat

Hospital emergency rooms are preparing for the possibility that the COVID-19 epidemic will get so bad that they may need to turn people away , forcing emergency doctors to make wrenching triage decisions about who can be treated and who can not .
With that possibility looming , health care groups and states afflicted by the outbreak are petitioning the government to stop enforcing a federal law which mandates that emergency rooms screen and stabilize anyone who shows up at their doors .
The law sets strict limitations on when and how a hospital can transfer unstable patients to other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ growing push to let hospitals divert those people elsewhere .
The need to relax the mandate on who hospitals must treat was sparked by discussions among emergency physicians , health insurers , and hospitals anticipating a looming tsunami of COVID-19 patients .
As hospital emergency rooms get inundated , the thinking goes , doctors will need the freedom to make grim decisions about who needs immediate treatment and who to turn away for testing .
The request would be unthinkable in normal circumstances .
That a change to hospital requirements of this scope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extremely dire situation facing medical providers who are overwhelmed by the COVID-19 outbreak .
“ In a pandemic , if an emergency department gets overwhelmed , they can ’ t possibly see everybody , ” Robert Bitterman , a health law consultant , told TPM .
“ Instead of screening everybody who shows up at our doors , we want to be able , in times of true emergencies , to redirect them to another location away from the hospital that might be able to provide the screening.
” The discussion reflects a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not just in Washington , where the outbreak has hit hardest — may be headed to an Italy-like scenario where tough decisions must be made about triage and rationing care .
Some virus-stricken Italian cities have seen overburdened hospitals make horrifying decisions about who to treat .
The peak of the epidemic in Wuhan saw patients being treated in hospital hallways as emergency rooms were converted into COVID-19 wards .
“ It ’ s maybe the toughest of all the issues , ” Sara Rosenbaum , a health law and policy professor at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the other federal requirements that state health departments and hospitals are seeking leniency from .
“ In the sense this is the sort of bottom-line protection for people in the United States.
” But now federal hospital requirements may prove to be an obstacle for providers who need to make quick decisions about where to screen and stabilize patients , while protecting their facilities from further spread of the virus .
Because of the law , “ hospitals have no way to control volume , ” Bitterman said .
“ What we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ true emergencies is to be able to send [ patients ] somewhere else ; so maybe the state preparedness body sets up a screening site in a mall parking lot — they want to send people to that screening site as opposed to coming into the emergency department.
” The law — the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act — was passed in 1986 to force hospital emergency departments to provide stabilizing care regardless of a patient ’ s economic situation or citizenship status .
“ People were bleeding to death , moms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Bitterman , the health law consultant , told TPM .
But the idea of changing the law to allow emergency rooms to triage care — and to potentially turn away patients for both screening and treatment — has gained steam among states , doctors , and medical associations .
Washington state pushed for the change on Sunday in a wide-ranging request to the federal government for emergency changes to its state Medicaid program , asking the Trump administration to suspend enforcement of the law , known by its acronym as EMTALA .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal government to waive the law ’ s requirement so that hospitals can redirect patients to “ alternative ” locations to be screened .
That kind of shuffling people around would normally be prohibited , but could be allowed in an extraordinary case like a pandemic .
The American Hospital Association told TPM in a statement that the group supported relaxing the requirements — a change that will need to be approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services ( CMS ) , which implements the federal government ’ s major health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TPM , AHA vice president Nancy Foster said that getting “ flexibility ” from the federal government “ will allow health systems to designate a specific facility to treat patients presenting with suspected COVID-19 cases.
” That will slow the spread of the infection and conserve the “ scarce ” equipment medical professionals use to protect themselves , her statement said .
CMS administrator Seema Verma acknowledged the request on a call with providers Tuesday evening , call participants told TPM , and said the idea was under discussion .
CMS confirmed that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the discussions , but did not provide a response in time for publication .
CMS earlier this week released guidance on EMTALA , but it continued to specify that hospitals “ may not tell individuals who have already come to their [ emergency department ] to go to the off-campus locations ” for screening .
“ To the extent they want patients who have corona not to infect the entire emergency room , if I were at CMS , I ’ d ask the hospitals , ‘ what ’ s your alternative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health care policy expert at the Urban Institute and former CMS staffer told TPM .
The outbreak hasn ’ t yet spread everywhere , noted Dr. Mark Langdorf , a professor at UC-Irvine ’ s Department of Emergency Medicine who ’ s studied EMTALA enforcement .
He warned against eroding “ a 50 year history of the ER serving as a true social safety net for medical illness.
” He said at this point , waiving the law would be appropriate on “ almost a case-by-case basis , or maybe a county-or-county basis.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ EMTALA to be relaxed in times of crisis .
However , those previous instances have been for national disasters like Hurricanes Irma and Dorian , where the geographic area where enforcement was being suspended was relatively small , Rosenbaum said .
When policy makers were debating in the early 2000s whether to change the law to allow for EMTALA to be waived in times of emergency declarations , Rosenbaum said , the argument for doing so was focused on situations of these localized disasters that overwhelmed hospitals well beyond the point of capacity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ phenomena , but we ’ re seeing it nationwide — and it ’ s much scarier to look at it nationwide , ” Rosenbaum said .
Correction : A previous version of this story inaccurately described Mark Langdorf as the chair of UC Irvine ’ s Department of Emergency Medicine .
He no longer holds that position .

Hospital emergency rooms are preparing for the possibility that the COVID-19 epidemic will get so bad that they may need to turn people away, forcing emergency doctors to make wrenching triage decisions about who can be treated and who cannot.
With that possibility looming, health care groups and states afflicted by the outbreak are petitioning the government to stop enforcing a federal law which mandates that emergency rooms screen and stabilize anyone who shows up at their doors.
The law sets strict limitations on when and how a hospital can transfer unstable patients to other hospitals, and there’s a growing push to let hospitals divert those people elsewhere.
The need to relax the mandate on who hospitals must treat was sparked by discussions among emergency physicians, health insurers, and hospitals anticipating a looming tsunami of COVID-19 patients. As hospital emergency rooms get inundated, the thinking goes, doctors will need the freedom to make grim decisions about who needs immediate treatment and who to turn away for testing.
The request would be unthinkable in normal circumstances. That a change to hospital requirements of this scope is even being considered speaks to the extremely dire situation facing medical providers who are overwhelmed by the COVID-19 outbreak.
“In a pandemic, if an emergency department gets overwhelmed, they can’t possibly see everybody,” Robert Bitterman, a health law consultant, told TPM. “Instead of screening everybody who shows up at our doors, we want to be able, in times of true emergencies, to redirect them to another location away from the hospital that might be able to provide the screening.”
The discussion reflects a growing recognition that the U.S. — and not just in Washington, where the outbreak has hit hardest — may be headed to an Italy-like scenario where tough decisions must be made about triage and rationing care.
Some virus-stricken Italian cities have seen overburdened hospitals make horrifying decisions about who to treat. The peak of the epidemic in Wuhan saw patients being treated in hospital hallways as emergency rooms were converted into COVID-19 wards.
“It’s maybe the toughest of all the issues,” Sara Rosenbaum, a health law and policy professor at George Washington University said, comparing it to the other federal requirements that state health departments and hospitals are seeking leniency from. “In the sense this is the sort of bottom-line protection for people in the United States.”
But now federal hospital requirements may prove to be an obstacle for providers who need to make quick decisions about where to screen and stabilize patients, while protecting their facilities from further spread of the virus.
Because of the law, “hospitals have no way to control volume,” Bitterman said. “What we want to be able to do in true emergencies is to be able to send [patients] somewhere else; so maybe the state preparedness body sets up a screening site in a mall parking lot — they want to send people to that screening site as opposed to coming into the emergency department.”
The law — the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act — was passed in 1986 to force hospital emergency departments to provide stabilizing care regardless of a patient’s economic situation or citizenship status.
“People were bleeding to death, moms were having babies on the road,” Bitterman, the health law consultant, told TPM.
But the idea of changing the law to allow emergency rooms to triage care — and to potentially turn away patients for both screening and treatment — has gained steam among states, doctors, and medical associations.
Washington state pushed for the change on Sunday in a wide-ranging request to the federal government for emergency changes to its state Medicaid program, asking the Trump administration to suspend enforcement of the law, known by its acronym as EMTALA.
North Carolina on Wednesday also asked the federal government to waive the law’s requirement so that hospitals can redirect patients to “alternative” locations to be screened.
That kind of shuffling people around would normally be prohibited, but could be allowed in an extraordinary case like a pandemic.
The American Hospital Association told TPM in a statement that the group supported relaxing the requirements — a change that will need to be approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), which implements the federal government’s major health spending programs.
In a statement to TPM, AHA vice president Nancy Foster said that getting “flexibility” from the federal government “will allow health systems to designate a specific facility to treat patients presenting with suspected COVID-19 cases.” That will slow the spread of the infection and conserve the “scarce” equipment medical professionals use to protect themselves, her statement said.
CMS administrator Seema Verma acknowledged the request on a call with providers Tuesday evening, call participants told TPM, and said the idea was under discussion.
CMS confirmed that it had received TPM’s inquiry about the discussions, but did not provide a response in time for publication.
CMS earlier this week released guidance on EMTALA, but it continued to specify that hospitals “may not tell individuals who have already come to their [emergency department] to go to the off-campus locations” for screening.
“To the extent they want patients who have corona not to infect the entire emergency room, if I were at CMS, I’d ask the hospitals, ‘what’s your alternative?’” Rob Berenson, a health care policy expert at the Urban Institute and former CMS staffer told TPM.
The outbreak hasn’t yet spread everywhere, noted Dr. Mark Langdorf, a professor at UC-Irvine’s Department of Emergency Medicine who’s studied EMTALA enforcement. He warned against eroding “a 50 year history of the ER serving as a true social safety net for medical illness.”
He said at this point, waiving the law would be appropriate on “almost a case-by-case basis, or maybe a county-or-county basis.”
It’s not unprecedented for EMTALA to be relaxed in times of crisis. However, those previous instances have been for national disasters like Hurricanes Irma and Dorian, where the geographic area where enforcement was being suspended was relatively small, Rosenbaum said.
When policy makers were debating in the early 2000s whether to change the law to allow for EMTALA to be waived in times of emergency declarations, Rosenbaum said, the argument for doing so was focused on situations of these localized disasters that overwhelmed hospitals well beyond the point of capacity.
“We’re seeing these phenomena, but we’re seeing it nationwide — and it’s much scarier to look at it nationwide,” Rosenbaum said.
Correction: A previous version of this story inaccurately described Mark Langdorf as the chair of UC Irvine’s Department of Emergency Medicine. He no longer holds that position.