talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-09--Trump’s Latest Twitter Meme Is Music To The Ears Of QAnon Adherents

The supposedly satanic cabal of politicians , bureaucrats , intelligence officials , and other well-connected political players secretly plotting against the President got a warning from the man himself Sunday — “ Nothing can stop what ’ s coming.
” At least , that ’ s how those in “ QAnon ” universe reacted when the President retweeted a meme featuring a favored catchphrase of the movement .
“ My Next Piece Is Called… Nothing Can Stop What ’ s Coming , ” reads a text caption superimposed on an image of Trump playing the fiddle .
Many of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ obvious parallel — Nero fiddled while Rome burned .
But for QAnon followers , the second half of the caption speaks to a central narrative in the conspiracy theory , which is based on years of cryptic online posts from an anonymous self-purported insider whose legion of fans pore over the posts like Talmudic scholars .
Trump , the theory posits , is engaged in a behind-the-scenes war against evil forces intent on his destruction .
The unknown “ Q ” has used the phrase in several unsigned , largely inscrutable missives .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the White House director of social media Dan Scavino , posted the image just past midnight Sunday morning .
When Trump shared it , he added his own comment , “ Who knows what this means , but it sounds good to me !
” As it happens , plenty of inhabitants of the QAnon fever swamps heard the President ’ s message loud and clear .
Scavino has a history of turning to the internet for material .
In December , he posted a picture of Rep. Adam Schiff ( D-CA ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alright , let ’ s see some MEME ’ s for social media !
Ya never know , one could end up on @ realDonaldTrump ’ s Twitter , Facebook , or Instagram.
” On Saturday , he posted a similar call on his Facebook page .
At least one commenter responded with the meme that Scavino — and after him , the President — later posted on Twitter .
View traced the potential path of the meme on Twitter Sunday .
The President sharing the slogan , he said , led to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believers .
“ Whenever Trump or someone close to Trump gives QAnon any sense of validation , they feel very vindicated , ” View said .
This is hardly the first time Trump has dipped into the QAnon well .
He ’ s previously retweeted Twitter users who had references to the conspiracy theory in their usernames or profile photos .
And in August , just after Yahoo News revealed that the FBI considered the fringe conspiracists a potential domestic terror threat , a speaker at a Trump rally made reference to another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ Where we go one , we go all .
”

The supposedly satanic cabal of politicians, bureaucrats, intelligence officials, and other well-connected political players secretly plotting against the President got a warning from the man himself Sunday — “Nothing can stop what’s coming.”
At least, that’s how those in “QAnon” universe reacted when the President retweeted a meme featuring a favored catchphrase of the movement.
“My Next Piece Is Called… Nothing Can Stop What’s Coming,” reads a text caption superimposed on an image of Trump playing the fiddle.
Who knows what this means, but it sounds good to me! https://t.co/rQVA4ER0PV — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 8, 2020
Many of the president’s critics pointed to an obvious parallel — Nero fiddled while Rome burned.
But for QAnon followers, the second half of the caption speaks to a central narrative in the conspiracy theory, which is based on years of cryptic online posts from an anonymous self-purported insider whose legion of fans pore over the posts like Talmudic scholars.
Trump, the theory posits, is engaged in a behind-the-scenes war against evil forces intent on his destruction. The unknown “Q” has used the phrase in several unsigned, largely inscrutable missives.
The phrase is meant to convey that mass arrests and a “great awakening” are inevitable no matter what the “deep state” or mainstream media do, said Travis View, co-host of the “QAnon Anonymous” podcast.
“It’s very fatalist,” View said.
Trump’s personal meme master, the White House director of social media Dan Scavino, posted the image just past midnight Sunday morning. When Trump shared it, he added his own comment, “Who knows what this means, but it sounds good to me!”
As it happens, plenty of inhabitants of the QAnon fever swamps heard the President’s message loud and clear.
Read you 5:5, Sir! pic.twitter.com/s5RKbhKFI6 — Lisa Mei Crowley ? (@LisaMei62) March 8, 2020
HAHAHAHA HERE WE GO FOLKS https://t.co/QdJXr4Icbl — Patriots' SoapBox News Network LIVE 24/7⭐⭐⭐ (@PatriotsSoapbox) March 8, 2020
Anyone else notice the timestamp? Military time: 18:18 That’s RR (Rod Rosenstein) https://t.co/FzykwMYbs1 — Julian's Rum ? (@JuliansRum) March 9, 2020
Scavino has a history of turning to the internet for material. In December, he posted a picture of Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) with a call for submissions: “Alright, let’s see some MEME’s for social media! Ya never know, one could end up on @realDonaldTrump’s Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.”
On Saturday, he posted a similar call on his Facebook page. At least one commenter responded with the meme that Scavino — and after him, the President — later posted on Twitter.
View traced the potential path of the meme on Twitter Sunday. The President sharing the slogan, he said, led to “elation and gloating” among QAnon believers.
“Whenever Trump or someone close to Trump gives QAnon any sense of validation, they feel very vindicated,” View said.
This is hardly the first time Trump has dipped into the QAnon well. He’s previously retweeted Twitter users who had references to the conspiracy theory in their usernames or profile photos. And in August, just after Yahoo News revealed that the FBI considered the fringe conspiracists a potential domestic terror threat, a speaker at a Trump rally made reference to another of the group’s obscure slogans, “Where we go one, we go all.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-09--Working Families Party Now Endorsing Sanders After Warren Drop-Out

The progressive advocacy group Working Families Party ( WFP ) , which had initially endorsed former 2020 presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren ( D-MA ) before she dropped out of the race , endorsed Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I-VT ) on Monday .
The WFP lamented the end of Warren ’ s “ groundbreaking campaign ” in its official endorsement .
“ But with the field narrowing and critical contests coming up in the next few weeks , we believe the choice for working families is clear , ” the group said .
“ Bernie Sanders has been a lifelong champion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make healthcare , housing , childcare and education basic rights , reform our criminal justice system , protect and expand Social Security and take bold action on climate.
” Sanders thanked the WFP shortly after it issued its endorsement .
“ Together , we ’ re going to build a multiracial , multigenerational grassroots movement to sweep Donald Trump out of the White House and transform this country so it works for all of us , ” he said in a statement .
Sanders and Warren had competed in the progressive lane of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her presidential bid last week in the wake of Super Tuesday , in which she failed to win any states .
Since the end of her campaign , Warren has declined to endorse Sanders or 2020 rival Joe Biden .
“ I need some space around this , ” she said during a press conference last week .
“ And I want to take a little time to think a little more .
”

The progressive advocacy group Working Families Party (WFP), which had initially endorsed former 2020 presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) before she dropped out of the race, endorsed Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) on Monday.
The WFP lamented the end of Warren’s “groundbreaking campaign” in its official endorsement.
“But with the field narrowing and critical contests coming up in the next few weeks, we believe the choice for working families is clear,” the group said. “Bernie Sanders has been a lifelong champion for working people. He wants to make healthcare, housing, childcare and education basic rights, reform our criminal justice system, protect and expand Social Security and take bold action on climate.”
Sanders thanked the WFP shortly after it issued its endorsement.
“Together, we’re going to build a multiracial, multigenerational grassroots movement to sweep Donald Trump out of the White House and transform this country so it works for all of us,” he said in a statement.
Sanders and Warren had competed in the progressive lane of the race before the Massachusetts senator dropped her presidential bid last week in the wake of Super Tuesday, in which she failed to win any states.
Since the end of her campaign, Warren has declined to endorse Sanders or 2020 rival Joe Biden.
“I need some space around this,” she said during a press conference last week. “And I want to take a little time to think a little more.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-09--Minimizing Coronavirus Risk, Trump Compares Disease (Again) To Seasonal Flu

President Donald Trump on Monday again compared the novel coronavirus epidemic to the seasonal flu , a comparison that public health experts and doctors have said for weeks minimizes the danger posed by the coronavirus spreading across the globe .
Comparing the annual deaths from the seasonal flu to the 2019 coronavirus disease that has swept across the globe , Trump urged Americans to “ Think about that !
” The comment clashed with Health Secretary Alex Azar , who ’ s said on Fox News earlier Monday , referring to the virus , that “ this is a very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to minimize that.
” For weeks , Trump and some members of his administration have compared coronavirus to the seasonal flu .
Acting DHS Secretary Chad Wolf erroneously claimed during congressional testimony last month that the mortality rate of the two diseases was the same .
Public health officials say conflating the two diseases downplays the severity of the epidemic .
The mortality rate for the seasonal flu is around 0.1 % , while the coronavirus mortality rate — while not known for sure due to variabilities in testing from region to region @ @ @ @ @ @ @ based on current estimates South Korea and China ( excluding the hardest-hit city of Wuhan ) , and perhaps much higher .
And even aside from mortality , differences abound : There is a vaccine for the seasonal flu , while there is none for the novel coronavirus .
Also , the global spread of the seasonal flu is well-established , while the extent to which coronavirus spreads across the world is still an open question .
“ We ’ ve reached a predictable tipping point where there ’ s going to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States , ” said former Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Scott Gottlieb on CNBC Monday morning .
Dr. Michael Ryan , executive director of the World Health Organization ’ s Health Emergencies Program , made a similar point at a press conference Thursday .
The spread of the flu , he said , is a global constant for which vaccines and therapies can play a role in minimizing damage .
He drew a contrast with coronavirus , which he said may still be possible to control or slow down .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chances to save lives , ” Ryan said .
“ If you contain and suppress the virus you save lives by making sure that vulnerable people in your society are not exposed .
And then if they are exposed , you have more time to get your system ready to save their lives .
You get another shot at lifesaving interventions .
”

President Donald Trump on Monday again compared the novel coronavirus epidemic to the seasonal flu, a comparison that public health experts and doctors have said for weeks minimizes the danger posed by the coronavirus spreading across the globe.
Comparing the annual deaths from the seasonal flu to the 2019 coronavirus disease that has swept across the globe, Trump urged Americans to “Think about that!”
So last year 37,000 Americans died from the common Flu. It averages between 27,000 and 70,000 per year. Nothing is shut down, life & the economy go on. At this moment there are 546 confirmed cases of CoronaVirus, with 22 deaths. Think about that! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 9, 2020
The comment clashed with Health Secretary Alex Azar, who’s said on Fox News earlier Monday, referring to the virus, that “this is a very serious health problem. Nobody is trying to minimize that.”
For weeks, Trump and some members of his administration have compared coronavirus to the seasonal flu. Acting DHS Secretary Chad Wolf erroneously claimed during congressional testimony last month that the mortality rate of the two diseases was the same.
Public health officials say conflating the two diseases downplays the severity of the epidemic.
The mortality rate for the seasonal flu is around 0.1%, while the coronavirus mortality rate — while not known for sure due to variabilities in testing from region to region — is at least .6-.7%, based on current estimates South Korea and China (excluding the hardest-hit city of Wuhan), and perhaps much higher.
And even aside from mortality, differences abound: There is a vaccine for the seasonal flu, while there is none for the novel coronavirus. Also, the global spread of the seasonal flu is well-established, while the extent to which coronavirus spreads across the world is still an open question.
“We’ve reached a predictable tipping point where there’s going to be a rapid acceleration in cases here in the United States,” said former Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Scott Gottlieb on CNBC Monday morning.
Dr. Michael Ryan, executive director of the World Health Organization’s Health Emergencies Program, made a similar point at a press conference Thursday.
The spread of the flu, he said, is a global constant for which vaccines and therapies can play a role in minimizing damage. He drew a contrast with coronavirus, which he said may still be possible to control or slow down.
“In that calculation you now have two chances to save lives,” Ryan said. “If you contain and suppress the virus you save lives by making sure that vulnerable people in your society are not exposed. And then if they are exposed, you have more time to get your system ready to save their lives. You get another shot at lifesaving interventions.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-09--Trump Jr. Dismisses His Coronavirus Comments As ‘Hyperbole’

Donald Trump Jr. isn ’ t sweating the comments he made last month amid growing fears surrounding the coronavirus outbreak .
During an interview on “ Fox and Friends ” last month , Trump Jr. slammed Democrats when asked by co-host Brian Kilmeade about whether he ’ s surprised by the party ’ s reactions to the Trump administration ’ s coronavirus response .
“ Anything that they can use to try to hurt Trump , they will… , ” Trump Jr. said on “ Fox and Friends.
” “ For Democrats to try to take a pandemic and seemingly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ millions of people so that they can end Donald Trump ’ s streak of winning is a new level of sickness.
” In a clip released by Axios on Sunday , Trump Jr. expressed no regrets about his comments .
“ Not at all , not at all , ” Trump Jr. said .
“ I think I can talk about it in hyperbole .
You know , I don ’ t know that they want ‘ millions ’ of people—but you could see them , there was nothing that Trump could do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into , ‘ Hey , he did a good job.
’ ” Trump Jr. also blamed an op-ed in the New York Times titled “ Let ’ s Call It Trumpvirus.
” “ But I was also quoting an article in the NY Times so this isn ’ t some sort of left-wing blog — it ’ s the New York Times that said we should all it the ‘ Trumpvirus , ' ” Trump Jr. said .
“ So I don ’ t want to hear the sanctimony from these people on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Trump Jr. went on to argue that he is “ entitled to speak with hyperbole ” because that “ drives home the point of what I ’ m saying .
”

Donald Trump Jr. isn’t sweating the comments he made last month amid growing fears surrounding the coronavirus outbreak.
During an interview on “Fox and Friends” last month, Trump Jr. slammed Democrats when asked by co-host Brian Kilmeade about whether he’s surprised by the party’s reactions to the Trump administration’s coronavirus response.
“Anything that they can use to try to hurt Trump, they will…,” Trump Jr. said on “Fox and Friends.” “For Democrats to try to take a pandemic and seemingly hope that it comes here and kills millions of people so that they can end Donald Trump’s streak of winning is a new level of sickness.”
In a clip released by Axios on Sunday, Trump Jr. expressed no regrets about his comments.
“Not at all, not at all,” Trump Jr. said. “I think I can talk about it in hyperbole. You know, I don’t know that they want ‘millions’ of people—but you could see them, there was nothing that Trump could do that could turn his response to coronavirus into, ‘Hey, he did a good job.’”
Trump Jr. also blamed an op-ed in the New York Times titled “Let’s Call It Trumpvirus.”
“But I was also quoting an article in the NY Times so this isn’t some sort of left-wing blog — it’s the New York Times that said we should all it the ‘Trumpvirus,'” Trump Jr. said. “So I don’t want to hear the sanctimony from these people on the left saying these sorts of things.”
Trump Jr. went on to argue that he is “entitled to speak with hyperbole” because that “drives home the point of what I’m saying.”
Watch Trump Jr.’s remarks below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-10--Alex Jones Arrested For Alleged Drunken Driving In Texas

Far-right conspiracy theorist and InfoWars owner Alex Jones was arrested on Monday for allegedly driving under the influence .
An @ @ @ @ @ Central Booking office in Austin , Texas confirmed to TPM on Tuesday that Jones had @ @ @ @ @ those charges .
He was released on bond , which was set at $ 3,000 @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday morning , according to the Austin American-Statesman .
InfoWars posted an article on Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ snagged by a “ DWI dragnet ” and that he had admitted to local authorities @ @ @ @ @ drinking a small amount of sake ” before he was pulled over for speeding over @ @ @ @ @ was quite the experience to see what was going on in this country and to @ @ @ @ @ the post quoted Jones as saying during his radio program .

Far-right conspiracy theorist and InfoWars owner Alex Jones was arrested on Monday for allegedly driving under the influence.
An official at the Travis County Central Booking office in Austin, Texas confirmed to TPM on Tuesday that Jones had been taken into custody on those charges.
He was released on bond, which was set at $3,000, at 4:11 AM on Tuesday morning, according to the Austin American-Statesman.
InfoWars posted an article on Tuesday claiming that Jones had been snagged by a “DWI dragnet” and that he had admitted to local authorities that he had been “drinking a small amount of sake” before he was pulled over for speeding over the limit.
The conspiracy theorist blew under Texas’ 0.08 legal blood alcohol content limit, InfoWars claimed.
“It was quite the experience to see what was going on in this country and to experience it myself,” the post quoted Jones as saying during his radio program.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-10--Acting DNI Ditches Congressional Briefing On Foreign Election Interference

Acting Director of National Intelligence Richard Grenell chose not to appear at a congressional briefing on foreign election meddling on Tuesday because he reportedly did not want to discuss issues that make President Donald Trump angry .
Lawmakers were told on Monday that Grenell would participate in the meeting , according to a memo obtained by the Washington Post .
Several unnamed sources told the Post that he declined to attend the briefing because he feared questions from Democrats regarding Russia ’ s efforts to meddle in U.S. elections .
However , an Office of the Director of National Intelligence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s reporting when reached by TPM .
Spokeswoman Maura Beard said in an emailed statement that the office “ did not communicate to Congress at any point ” that Grenell would be there .
The issue of Russian election interference is an infamous source of rage for President Donald Trump , who frequently rails against and attempts to discredit the intelligence community ’ s findings that the Kremlin hacked the 2016 U.S. election on his behalf and plans to do so again in 2020 .
In fact , it ’ s what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maguire , his job in February : The New York Times and Washington Post reported that Trump became livid with Maguire after ODNI staffers informed House lawmakers , including Intelligence Committee Chair Adam Schiff ( D-CA ) , that Russia was trying to fix the election to ensure Trump ’ s victory in November .

Acting Director of National Intelligence Richard Grenell chose not to appear at a congressional briefing on foreign election meddling on Tuesday because he reportedly did not want to discuss issues that make President Donald Trump angry.
Lawmakers were told on Monday that Grenell would participate in the meeting, according to a memo obtained by the Washington Post.
Several unnamed sources told the Post that he declined to attend the briefing because he feared questions from Democrats regarding Russia’s efforts to meddle in U.S. elections.
However, an Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) spokesperson combatted the Post’s reporting when reached by TPM. Spokeswoman Maura Beard said in an emailed statement that the office “did not communicate to Congress at any point” that Grenell would be there.
The issue of Russian election interference is an infamous source of rage for President Donald Trump, who frequently rails against and attempts to discredit the intelligence community’s findings that the Kremlin hacked the 2016 U.S. election on his behalf and plans to do so again in 2020.
In fact, it’s what cost Grenell’s predecessor, Joseph Maguire, his job in February: The New York Times and Washington Post reported that Trump became livid with Maguire after ODNI staffers informed House lawmakers, including Intelligence Committee Chair Adam Schiff (D-CA), that Russia was trying to fix the election to ensure Trump’s victory in November.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-10--Trump Offers Another Baselessly Cheery Take On COVID-19 Epidemic

The President continued to downplay the threat posed by the COVID-19 epidemic Tuesday , falsely saying that testing for the disease was available for all who needed it and asserting that the novel coronavirus would “ go away ” with time .
“ It will go away , ” Trump told reporters of the virus , after a meeting with congressional Republicans Tuesday .
“ Just stay calm , it will go away.
” That clashes with what doctors and scientists say about COVID-19 .
While China and South Korea have shown some success in containing the disease and gradually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each day , the count of confirmed cases continues to accelerate elsewhere around the world , including in the United States .
Some have speculated that warmer weather will help contain the virus , but public health officials have warned that it ’ s not clear this is the case , nor that COVID-19 will become a seasonal presence like the existing seasonal flu .
“ Be calm , it ’ s really working out , ” Trump added , after saying he wanted to “ protect ” the shipping , cruise and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump told reporters that “ when people need a test , they can get a test.
” But that clashes with another stubborn reality of the Trump administration ’ s response : There isn ’ t enough testing capacity to keep up with the virus ’ spread .
“ Any doctor who thinks a patient should be tested should be getting tested , ” former FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb told USA Today ’ s editorial board Monday .
“ That ’ s not happening right now.
” Trump has been consistent with this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ touring the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , he again incorrectly said , “ anybody that needs a test gets a test .
”

The President continued to downplay the threat posed by the COVID-19 epidemic Tuesday, falsely saying that testing for the disease was available for all who needed it and asserting that the novel coronavirus would “go away” with time.
“It will go away,” Trump told reporters of the virus, after a meeting with congressional Republicans Tuesday. “Just stay calm, it will go away.”
That clashes with what doctors and scientists say about COVID-19. While China and South Korea have shown some success in containing the disease and gradually decreasing the number of new cases confirmed each day, the count of confirmed cases continues to accelerate elsewhere around the world, including in the United States.
Some have speculated that warmer weather will help contain the virus, but public health officials have warned that it’s not clear this is the case, nor that COVID-19 will become a seasonal presence like the existing seasonal flu.
“Be calm, it’s really working out,” Trump added, after saying he wanted to “protect” the shipping, cruise and airline industries.
Separately on Tuesday, Trump told reporters that “when people need a test, they can get a test.”
But that clashes with another stubborn reality of the Trump administration’s response: There isn’t enough testing capacity to keep up with the virus’ spread.
“Any doctor who thinks a patient should be tested should be getting tested,” former FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb told USA Today’s editorial board Monday. “That’s not happening right now.”
Trump has been consistent with this false claim. On Friday, while touring the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, he again incorrectly said, “anybody that needs a test gets a test.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-10--EXCLUSIVE: Why Washington State Is Desperate For Trump To Declare A COVID-19 Emergency

Update : This story has been updated to include a response from the HHS ’ Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services .
As Washington state grapples with what may be the country ’ s worst outbreak of novel coronavirus , the absence of a COVID-19 emergency declaration from President Trump has hamstrung its ability to respond to the crisis .
The state would like to apply for a Medicaid waiver that would let Washington give people more options for where to receive care , so that it can lessen the pressure on its already overtaxed health system .
The problem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the types of waivers currently under discussion — a waiver known as 1135 — can be triggered only by the President declaring an emergency or a disaster under the Stafford Act , something he has notably failed to do , despite all signs indicating that the coronavirus outbreak stands to be a major public health crisis .
Sue Birch , director of the Washington State Health Care Authority , told TPM that the state was discussing a 1135 and 1115 waiver with Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services .
While the agency had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1135 waiver comes with a built-in limitation : it can not go through absent an emergency declaration from President Trump .
“ We ’ re having discussions with CMS about all paths forward , ” Birch told TPM .
“ We are looking at how we leverage and optimize all flexible ways of getting funded for this sort of outbreak and the massive impact to our entire system.
” Birch described the waivers as needed to increase capacity , ranging from adding doctors and other health care workers to streamlining procedures to increasing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that what the state wanted to avoid above all else was adding crowds to hospitals that are already overflowing with sick patients .
The waivers , Birch argued , would allow the state to create new options for those recovering from mild cases of COVID-19 or who were sick with other , similar respiratory illnesses .
According to the CDC , 647 cases have been detected in the U.S. since the first patient was diagnosed on Jan. 21 .
That includes 25 total deaths to date .
Washington State has reported 162 cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the country ’ s largest outbreaks .
A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services ’ Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services confirmed to TPM that CMS has been in discussion with Washington state about the “ flexibilities available ” to the state “ through the Medicaid program.
” CMS also confirmed that 1135 waivers would require both an emergency declaration from President Trump and a public health emergency declaration from HHS Secretary Alex Azar .
Azar issued that kind of declaration nationwide in January , the spokesperson noted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lack of a declaration from the President to the White House and HHS .
Neither responded to TPM ’ s inquiry .
Outside health experts told TPM that , by not making the declaration yet , the Trump administration was leaving on the table powerful tools for helping states slow the spread of the virus .
“ It ’ s ridiculous there ’ s no declaration , ” Nicholas Bagley , a professor specializing in health care law at University of Michigan Law School , told TPM .
“ It ’ s unconscionable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a crucial government tool for helping states respond quickly and creatively to emergencies impacting public health .
Because the federal government matches state funding on Medicaid programs — and in the case of states that have expanded Medicaid , under the Affordable Care Act , covers 90 percent for a certain segment of lower income people — it can take the financial burden off of states grappling with a crisis .
Unlike several states , the U.S. government is not required to balance its budget by the end of the year and by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the situation calls for it .
One of the waivers Washington state is interested in , known as a 1135 waiver , is available under a provision of the Social Security Act that gives HHS the authority to modify certain rules about Medicaid once the President declares an emergency or disaster .
The 1135 provision also applies to Medicare and the Children ’ s Health Insurance Program .
Once an emergency is declared , HHS can move quickly to approve waivers states are seeking or even issue its own guidelines on what Medicaid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for those affected by the crisis .
Among the Medicaid rules that can be modified under 1135 is the requirement providers face in order to participate in federal health programs and how they enroll in the programs .
“ 1135 waiver authority allows health care professionals from other states to practice medicine or provide health care services in areas where there is an outbreak and local health care professionals need assistance , ” said Jessica Schubel , a former CMS official now at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities .
Schubel was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s request .
Birch , the Washington State health care official , told TPM the state was looking at providing resources outside of hospitals and facility-type settings for its residents to go to seek information about how to deal with their health issues .
Birch added that the waivers were being sought to create “ relief valves ” that would divert people who would otherwise go to overcrowded hospitals .
These would allow the state to fund stations for people recovering from COVID-19 who did not require hospitalization , or people suffering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flu .
That , Birch argued , would take the pressure off of overflowing hospitals and other medical facilities .
“ They are pretty inundated as we speak , ” she told TPM .
“ If we can negotiate with our federal partners , that ’ s the hope , to get the kinds of flexibilities that are needed.
” But before the state can start considering taking these steps , it needs the President to declare an emergency so that it can start going formally through the waiver process .
“ This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the potential options to be on the table , ” Bagley said .
“ An emergency declaration gives states and federal policymakers more options , and right now , you want all options on the table.
” ‘ It ’ s Up to the White House to Declare an Emergency.
” Washington state health officials told TPM that discussions with HHS were ongoing .
But without an emergency declaration from the President , the state can ’ t move forward with applying for any Medicaid waiver .
According to Bagley , the HHS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states can help states draft waiver requests that the department be willing to approve once a declaration is issued .
Bagley was skeptical that those lower level officials could give Washington any guidance on when the President would declare an emergency triggering the process .
“ Do the line folk know when the White House is going to declare an emergency ?
Does Secretary Azar ?
I frankly doubt it.
” Bagley said .
“ I am not surprised that parts of the bureaucracy are trying to think around corners here , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House to declare an emergency.
” Whether the President issues the declaration that would open up federal funding is one of several tests facing the administration as it grapples with the outbreak .
There are other ways Trump ’ s HHS , if it wanted to , could encourage states to seek Medicaid waivers that would boost federal funding for coronavirus-related coverage .
While CMS did release a fact sheet last week about Medicaid coverage , the release was notably lacking in any guidance for states on how they could seek waivers to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to step in to increase the match rate the federal government is willing to pay for Medicaid coverage , health care experts told TPM .
A CMS spokesperson told TPM it was in the process of preparing a “ frequently asked questions ” release and said that it has been “ in ongoing discussions with all states about the flexibilities available to them through the Medicaid program.
” In past emergencies , Medicaid waivers , which could also be issued under 1115 , have been useful tools for helping states to react @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approved Medicaid waivers to expand health coverage for New Yorkers after the 9/11 attacks and , after Hurricane Katrina , to streamline the process for Gulf coast states to cover people who had to evacuate from Louisiana .
But for now , declaring an emergency , either on the national level , or at minimum , in the states hardest hit by the outbreak , is a crucial next step , experts told TPM .
It ’ s not just Washington that may find such waivers useful .
A spokeswoman for New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TPM that the state was “ taking proactive steps to clarify Medicaid coverage policies.
” It noted in the statement that a 1135 waiver would only be possible “ when the President issues a declaration of emergency or disaster and the Secretary of HHS declares a public health emergency.
” “ The dithering that we ’ re seeing is enormously harmful , ” Bagley said .

Update: This story has been updated to include a response from the HHS’ Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
As Washington state grapples with what may be the country’s worst outbreak of novel coronavirus, the absence of a COVID-19 emergency declaration from President Trump has hamstrung its ability to respond to the crisis.
The state would like to apply for a Medicaid waiver that would let Washington give people more options for where to receive care, so that it can lessen the pressure on its already overtaxed health system.
The problem for the state is that one of the types of waivers currently under discussion — a waiver known as 1135 — can be triggered only by the President declaring an emergency or a disaster under the Stafford Act, something he has notably failed to do, despite all signs indicating that the coronavirus outbreak stands to be a major public health crisis.
Sue Birch, director of the Washington State Health Care Authority, told TPM that the state was discussing a 1135 and 1115 waiver with Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. While the agency had been receptive, Birch said, the 1135 waiver comes with a built-in limitation: it cannot go through absent an emergency declaration from President Trump.
“We’re having discussions with CMS about all paths forward,” Birch told TPM. “We are looking at how we leverage and optimize all flexible ways of getting funded for this sort of outbreak and the massive impact to our entire system.”
Birch described the waivers as needed to increase capacity, ranging from adding doctors and other health care workers to streamlining procedures to increasing those eligible for treatment.
Birch added that what the state wanted to avoid above all else was adding crowds to hospitals that are already overflowing with sick patients. The waivers, Birch argued, would allow the state to create new options for those recovering from mild cases of COVID-19 or who were sick with other, similar respiratory illnesses.
According to the CDC, 647 cases have been detected in the U.S. since the first patient was diagnosed on Jan. 21. That includes 25 total deaths to date. Washington State has reported 162 cases so far with 22 deaths, in one of the country’s largest outbreaks.
A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services’ Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services confirmed to TPM that CMS has been in discussion with Washington state about the “flexibilities available” to the state “through the Medicaid program.” CMS also confirmed that 1135 waivers would require both an emergency declaration from President Trump and a public health emergency declaration from HHS Secretary Alex Azar. Azar issued that kind of declaration nationwide in January, the spokesperson noted.
The spokesperson deferred questions about the lack of a declaration from the President to the White House and HHS. Neither responded to TPM’s inquiry.
Outside health experts told TPM that, by not making the declaration yet, the Trump administration was leaving on the table powerful tools for helping states slow the spread of the virus.
“It’s ridiculous there’s no declaration,” Nicholas Bagley, a professor specializing in health care law at University of Michigan Law School, told TPM. “It’s unconscionable at this stage.”
Creating ‘Relief Valves’
Medicaid funding is a crucial government tool for helping states respond quickly and creatively to emergencies impacting public health. Because the federal government matches state funding on Medicaid programs — and in the case of states that have expanded Medicaid, under the Affordable Care Act, covers 90 percent for a certain segment of lower income people — it can take the financial burden off of states grappling with a crisis. Unlike several states, the U.S. government is not required to balance its budget by the end of the year and by design, can ramp up spending when the situation calls for it.
One of the waivers Washington state is interested in, known as a 1135 waiver, is available under a provision of the Social Security Act that gives HHS the authority to modify certain rules about Medicaid once the President declares an emergency or disaster.
The 1135 provision also applies to Medicare and the Children’s Health Insurance Program.
Once an emergency is declared, HHS can move quickly to approve waivers states are seeking or even issue its own guidelines on what Medicaid rules it’s willing to relax for those affected by the crisis.
Among the Medicaid rules that can be modified under 1135 is the requirement providers face in order to participate in federal health programs and how they enroll in the programs.
“1135 waiver authority allows health care professionals from other states to practice medicine or provide health care services in areas where there is an outbreak and local health care professionals need assistance,” said Jessica Schubel, a former CMS official now at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Schubel was not aware of the specifics of Washington’s request.
Birch, the Washington State health care official, told TPM the state was looking at providing resources outside of hospitals and facility-type settings for its residents to go to seek information about how to deal with their health issues.
Birch added that the waivers were being sought to create “relief valves” that would divert people who would otherwise go to overcrowded hospitals. These would allow the state to fund stations for people recovering from COVID-19 who did not require hospitalization, or people suffering from illnesses with similar symptoms like the flu.
That, Birch argued, would take the pressure off of overflowing hospitals and other medical facilities.
“They are pretty inundated as we speak,” she told TPM. “If we can negotiate with our federal partners, that’s the hope, to get the kinds of flexibilities that are needed.”
But before the state can start considering taking these steps, it needs the President to declare an emergency so that it can start going formally through the waiver process.
“This is the time when you want all the potential options to be on the table,” Bagley said. “An emergency declaration gives states and federal policymakers more options, and right now, you want all options on the table.”
‘It’s Up to the White House to Declare an Emergency.”
Washington state health officials told TPM that discussions with HHS were ongoing. But without an emergency declaration from the President, the state can’t move forward with applying for any Medicaid waiver.
According to Bagley, the HHS officials on the frontline of dealing with states can help states draft waiver requests that the department be willing to approve once a declaration is issued. Bagley was skeptical that those lower level officials could give Washington any guidance on when the President would declare an emergency triggering the process.
“Do the line folk know when the White House is going to declare an emergency? Does Secretary Azar? I frankly doubt it.” Bagley said. “I am not surprised that parts of the bureaucracy are trying to think around corners here, but it’s up to the White House to declare an emergency.”
Whether the President issues the declaration that would open up federal funding is one of several tests facing the administration as it grapples with the outbreak. There are other ways Trump’s HHS, if it wanted to, could encourage states to seek Medicaid waivers that would boost federal funding for coronavirus-related coverage. While CMS did release a fact sheet last week about Medicaid coverage, the release was notably lacking in any guidance for states on how they could seek waivers to address the crisis. Congress might also need to step in to increase the match rate the federal government is willing to pay for Medicaid coverage, health care experts told TPM.
A CMS spokesperson told TPM it was in the process of preparing a “frequently asked questions” release and said that it has been “in ongoing discussions with all states about the flexibilities available to them through the Medicaid program.”
In past emergencies, Medicaid waivers, which could also be issued under 1115, have been useful tools for helping states to react to evolving situations.
The Bush administration approved Medicaid waivers to expand health coverage for New Yorkers after the 9/11 attacks and, after Hurricane Katrina, to streamline the process for Gulf coast states to cover people who had to evacuate from Louisiana.
But for now, declaring an emergency, either on the national level, or at minimum, in the states hardest hit by the outbreak, is a crucial next step, experts told TPM.
It’s not just Washington that may find such waivers useful. A spokeswoman for New York State’s Department of Health told TPM that the state was “taking proactive steps to clarify Medicaid coverage policies.” It noted in the statement that a 1135 waiver would only be possible “when the President issues a declaration of emergency or disaster and the Secretary of HHS declares a public health emergency.”
“The dithering that we’re seeing is enormously harmful,” Bagley said.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-10--NYT: Russians Seek To Influence Extremist Groups To Sow 2020 Election Division

Russian intelligence services have attempted to sow division in the United States ahead of the 2020 election by fueling racial division , including by influencing extremist groups , American officials told The New York Times .
The Russian government ’ s methods to divide Americans are broader than what the country used 2016 , the Times reported , citing multiple unnamed American officials briefed on recent intelligence .
In 2016 , Russian activity was meant to reach a wide number of Americans and included spreading disinformation to suppress voter turnout and creating fake Black Lives Matter Facebook pages .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Times .
Efforts reportedly include pushing extremist groups to spread hate messages and inciting violence .
Unlike in 2016 , unnamed intelligence officials told the Times , Russian operatives have taken to using private Facebook groups and message boards like 4chan .
Per the Times , Russian intelligence services observed the fallout of the 2017 white supremacist rally in Charlottesville , Virginia — which ended with the white supremacist James Fields Jr. murdering counter-protester Heather Heyer — and determined that promoting hate groups would effectively sow discord in the United States .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ s , per The Times , is the founder of the neo-Nazi group The Base , which has been rocked by a string of arrests in recent months .
The Guardian and BBC identified Rinaldo Nazzaro as the previously anonymous founder of the violent neo-Nazi group in January , reporting that he was living in Russia and that he had previously advertised his services as an intelligence and security expert .
Four Base members told the Guardian they were suspicious that Nazzaro was really a law enforcement agent or “ honeypot ” meant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and Times reported that the FBI is looking for potential ties between Russian intelligence and Nazzaro .
Specifically , the Times reported that the FBI has zeroed in on Nazzaro ’ s purchase of property in Washington State in 2018 , which the anti-fascist group Eugene Antifa said in August was meant as a training “ hate camp.
” Base members across the country have been arrested in recent months , including in Virginia , Wisconsin and Georgia .
The three members charged in Georgia were accused of plotting the murder of @ @ @ @ @

Russian intelligence services have attempted to sow division in the United States ahead of the 2020 election by fueling racial division, including by influencing extremist groups, American officials told The New York Times.
The Russian government’s methods to divide Americans are broader than what the country used 2016, the Times reported, citing multiple unnamed American officials briefed on recent intelligence.
In 2016, Russian activity was meant to reach a wide number of Americans and included spreading disinformation to suppress voter turnout and creating fake Black Lives Matter Facebook pages.
In 2020, things have changed, per the Times. Efforts reportedly include pushing extremist groups to spread hate messages and inciting violence. Unlike in 2016, unnamed intelligence officials told the Times, Russian operatives have taken to using private Facebook groups and message boards like 4chan.
Per the Times, Russian intelligence services observed the fallout of the 2017 white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia — which ended with the white supremacist James Fields Jr. murdering counter-protester Heather Heyer — and determined that promoting hate groups would effectively sow discord in the United States.
One specific interest of the FBI’s, per The Times, is the founder of the neo-Nazi group The Base, which has been rocked by a string of arrests in recent months.
The Guardian and BBC identified Rinaldo Nazzaro as the previously anonymous founder of the violent neo-Nazi group in January, reporting that he was living in Russia and that he had previously advertised his services as an intelligence and security expert. Four Base members told the Guardian they were suspicious that Nazzaro was really a law enforcement agent or “honeypot” meant to lure neo-Nazis out into the open, and Times reported that the FBI is looking for potential ties between Russian intelligence and Nazzaro.
Specifically, the Times reported that the FBI has zeroed in on Nazzaro’s purchase of property in Washington State in 2018, which the anti-fascist group Eugene Antifa said in August was meant as a training “hate camp.”
Base members across the country have been arrested in recent months, including in Virginia, Wisconsin and Georgia. The three members charged in Georgia were accused of plotting the murder of a local anti-fascist couple.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-10--Circuit Court Upholds Decision That Congress Can See Mueller Grand Jury Evidence

A federal appeals court on Tuesday upheld a lower court ’ s ruling that the House of Representatives can see information from the grand jury former special counsel Robert Mueller empaneled to investigate Russian election meddling .
The fight over the Mueller evidence focused on the rules surrounding grand jury secrecy , which include an exception to provide materials for a judicial proceeding .
Lawyers for the House of Representatives argued that the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump constituted such a proceeding .
In October , District Judge Beryl Howell ordered the DOJ to give the House portions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ redacted due to the secrecy rules , as well as “ any underlying transcripts or exhibits referenced in the portions of the Mueller Report that were redacted ” under the same rules .
D.C .
Circuit Court Judge Judith W. Rogers wrote in her opinion that the House Judiciary Committee “ has established a particularized need for the redacted grand jury materials it seeks.
” Judge Thomas B. Griffith wrote a concurring opinion and Judge Neomi Rao , a Trump appointee , dissented .
“ The Committee ’ s request for the grand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ directly linked to its need to evaluate the conclusions reached and not reached by the Special Counsel , ” Rogers wrote separately , adding : “ Courts must take care not to second-guess the manner in which the House plans to proceed with its impeachment investigation or interfere with the House ’ s sole power of impeachment.
” Rao , in her dissent , brought up another case before the circuit court concerning the testimony of former White House Counsel Don McGahn .
The House Judiciary Committee sought McGahn ’ s testimony and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late last month the D.C .
Circuit Court refused to enforce the congressional subpoena issued to the former White House counsel .
The court decided it lacked the authority to make a call on the matter .
( The committee on Friday petitioned for the full appeals court to rehear the case . )
“ The reasoning of McGahn means that the [ House Judiciary ] Committee also lacks standing to seek a cumpulsory order in a Rule 6 ( e ) proceeding , ” Rao wrote , referring to the rule governing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] uch relief presents an interbranch dispute not traditionally cognizable to the judiciary.
” But Griffith wrote the opinion in the McGahn case .
And now , he stood with the House of Representatives , rather than against it .
“ Unlike McGahn , ” he wrote , “ this case does not involve a suit between the political branches over executive-branch documents or testimony .
Instead , it involves an application for access to records of the grand jury , whose disclosure the district court has traditionally controlled.
” This post has @ @ @

A federal appeals court on Tuesday upheld a lower court’s ruling that the House of Representatives can see information from the grand jury former special counsel Robert Mueller empaneled to investigate Russian election meddling.
The fight over the Mueller evidence focused on the rules surrounding grand jury secrecy, which include an exception to provide materials for a judicial proceeding.
Lawyers for the House of Representatives argued that the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump constituted such a proceeding. In October, District Judge Beryl Howell ordered the DOJ to give the House portions of Mueller’s report that had been redacted due to the secrecy rules, as well as “any underlying transcripts or exhibits referenced in the portions of the Mueller Report that were redacted” under the same rules.
D.C. Circuit Court Judge Judith W. Rogers wrote in her opinion that the House Judiciary Committee “has established a particularized need for the redacted grand jury materials it seeks.” Judge Thomas B. Griffith wrote a concurring opinion and Judge Neomi Rao, a Trump appointee, dissented.
“The Committee’s request for the grand jury materials in the Mueller Report is directly linked to its need to evaluate the conclusions reached and not reached by the Special Counsel,” Rogers wrote separately, adding: “Courts must take care not to second-guess the manner in which the House plans to proceed with its impeachment investigation or interfere with the House’s sole power of impeachment.”
Rao, in her dissent, brought up another case before the circuit court concerning the testimony of former White House Counsel Don McGahn.
The House Judiciary Committee sought McGahn’s testimony and went to court over it, but late last month the D.C. Circuit Court refused to enforce the congressional subpoena issued to the former White House counsel. The court decided it lacked the authority to make a call on the matter. (The committee on Friday petitioned for the full appeals court to rehear the case.)
“The reasoning of McGahn means that the [House Judiciary] Committee also lacks standing to seek a cumpulsory order in a Rule 6(e) proceeding,” Rao wrote, referring to the rule governing grand jury secrecy. “[S]uch relief presents an interbranch dispute not traditionally cognizable to the judiciary.”
But Griffith wrote the opinion in the McGahn case. And now, he stood with the House of Representatives, rather than against it.
“Unlike McGahn,” he wrote, “this case does not involve a suit between the political branches over executive-branch documents or testimony. Instead, it involves an application for access to records of the grand jury, whose disclosure the district court has traditionally controlled.”
This post has been updated.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-10--Biden Dodges When Asked If He’d Sign Medicare For All Into Law

On Monday night , 2020 candidate Joe Biden wouldn ’ t say whether he ’ d veto Medicare for All , which aims to provide free health care to every American , if he were elected president .
During a pre-taped interview , MSNBC host Lawrence O ’ Donnell presented Biden with a hypothetical in which 2020 rival Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I-VT ) manages to pass his proposed Medicare for All bill in the Senate while House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-CA ) passes a similar one in the House after Biden wins the presidency .
“ It comes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ?
” O ’ Donnell asked .
“ I would veto anything that delays providing the security and the certainty of health care being available now , ” the former vice president responded .
“ If they got that through by some miracle and there was an epiphany that occurred and some miracle occurred that said okay , it ’ s passed , then you got ta look at the cost.
” He asserted that the estimated $ 32 trillion price tag ( which he erroneously stated as being $ 35 trillion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years would be a problem .
“ Look , my opposition isn ’ t to the principle that you should have Medicare .
Everybody…health care should be a right in America , ” Biden told O ’ Donnell .
“ My opposition relates to whether or not A , it ’ s doable , two , what the cost is and the consequences for the rest of the budget are.
” “ How are you going to find $ 35 trillion dollars over the next ten years without having profound impacts on everything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ class people as well as the impact on the rest of the budget ?
” he asked .
Per Vox , economists at the libertarian-leaning think tank Mercatus Center have found that while federal spending would increase substantially under Medicare for All , overall spending on health care would actually go down slightly even as coverage expands .
Biden has argued against Sanders ’ signature universal health care proposal on the grounds that it would “ get rid ” of the Affordable Care Act .
The former vice president ’ s campaign proposal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obamacare instead .

On Monday night, 2020 candidate Joe Biden wouldn’t say whether he’d veto Medicare for All, which aims to provide free health care to every American, if he were elected president.
During a pre-taped interview, MSNBC host Lawrence O’Donnell presented Biden with a hypothetical in which 2020 rival Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) manages to pass his proposed Medicare for All bill in the Senate while House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) passes a similar one in the House after Biden wins the presidency.
“It comes to your desk. Do you veto it?” O’Donnell asked.
“I would veto anything that delays providing the security and the certainty of health care being available now,” the former vice president responded. “If they got that through by some miracle and there was an epiphany that occurred and some miracle occurred that said okay, it’s passed, then you gotta look at the cost.”
He asserted that the estimated $32 trillion price tag (which he erroneously stated as being $35 trillion) on Medicare for All over ten years would be a problem.
“Look, my opposition isn’t to the principle that you should have Medicare. Everybody…health care should be a right in America,” Biden told O’Donnell. “My opposition relates to whether or not A, it’s doable, two, what the cost is and the consequences for the rest of the budget are.”
“How are you going to find $35 trillion dollars over the next ten years without having profound impacts on everything from taxes for middle class and working class people as well as the impact on the rest of the budget?” he asked.
Per Vox, economists at the libertarian-leaning think tank Mercatus Center have found that while federal spending would increase substantially under Medicare for All, overall spending on health care would actually go down slightly even as coverage expands.
Biden has argued against Sanders’ signature universal health care proposal on the grounds that it would “get rid” of the Affordable Care Act. The former vice president’s campaign proposal on health care seeks to build on Obamacare instead.
Watch Biden below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-10--DOJ Faces Backlash For Ordering COVID-19 Posters Out Of Immigration Courts

The Justice Department on Monday ordered immigration courts to remove posters on stopping the spread of COVID-19 , prompting public outcry .
The department ultimately walked back the order after a judges union publicized it .
The posters in question , according to the National Association of Immigration Judges , were produced by the Centers for Disease Control and laid out basic COVID-19 symptoms and simple steps on how to avoid spreading germs .
( See the posters below . )
But within hours of the union distributing the posters to immigration judges nationwide and encouraging them to post them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meant to combat the virus , the Justice Department ’ s top immigration judge struck back with an email of his own .
( Immigration judges are housed in the Justice Department ’ s Executive Office for Immigration Review , not the Judicial Branch . )
“ This is just a reminder that immigration judges do not have the authority to post , or ask you to post , signage for their individual courtrooms or the waiting areas , ” acting chief immigration judge Christopher A. Santoro told court administrators , The Miami @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the CDC flyer is not authorized for posting in the immigration courts .
If you see one ( attached ) , please remove it .
Thank you.
” The judges union went public with the order , announcing that court staff had been ordered to remove the information and adding , “ No , this is not a parody account.
” As public pressure intensified , the DOJ appeared to walk back its position , BuzzFeed News and the Herald reported .
“ [ T ] he signs shouldn ’ t have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told the Herald .
“ It ’ s now being rectified.
” The episode is part of a years-long struggle between the judges union and the Justice Department , one that ’ s grown more bitter as the Trump-era DOJ pressures judges to review more immigration cases in less time .
The union ’ s letter to judges , and its prior communications with EOIR , made clear that the ill will has spread to virus response .
On March 9 , ahead of its letter to members , the union ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the acting chief judge , expressing frustration with the COVID-19 response in immigration courts .
“ I write to follow up and expand on prior communications the National Association of Immigration Judges ( NAIJ ) has had with EOIR regarding guidance and resources related to COVID-19 , ” Tabaddor wrote .
“ We have received almost none of either.
” See the posters the judges union says the Justice Department ordered removed , below :

The Justice Department on Monday ordered immigration courts to remove posters on stopping the spread of COVID-19, prompting public outcry. The department ultimately walked back the order after a judges union publicized it.
The posters in question, according to the National Association of Immigration Judges, were produced by the Centers for Disease Control and laid out basic COVID-19 symptoms and simple steps on how to avoid spreading germs. (See the posters below.)
But within hours of the union distributing the posters to immigration judges nationwide and encouraging them to post them in public areas, among other steps meant to combat the virus, the Justice Department’s top immigration judge struck back with an email of his own. (Immigration judges are housed in the Justice Department’s Executive Office for Immigration Review, not the Judicial Branch.)
“This is just a reminder that immigration judges do not have the authority to post, or ask you to post, signage for their individual courtrooms or the waiting areas,” acting chief immigration judge Christopher A. Santoro told court administrators, The Miami Herald reported.
“Per our leadership, the CDC flyer is not authorized for posting in the immigration courts. If you see one (attached), please remove it. Thank you.”
The judges union went public with the order, announcing that court staff had been ordered to remove the information and adding, “No, this is not a parody account.”
EOIR has ordered immigration court staff to remove CDC posters designed to slow spread of coronavirus. No, this is not a parody account. — Immigration Judges (NAIJ) (@Imm_Judges_NAIJ) March 9, 2020
As public pressure intensified, the DOJ appeared to walk back its position, BuzzFeed News and the Herald reported.
“[T]he signs shouldn’t have been removed,” a DOJ spokesperson told the Herald. “It’s now being rectified.”
The episode is part of a years-long struggle between the judges union and the Justice Department, one that’s grown more bitter as the Trump-era DOJ pressures judges to review more immigration cases in less time.
The union’s letter to judges, and its prior communications with EOIR, made clear that the ill will has spread to virus response.
On March 9, ahead of its letter to members, the union’s president Judge Ashley Tabaddor wrote to Santoro, the acting chief judge, expressing frustration with the COVID-19 response in immigration courts.
“I write to follow up and expand on prior communications the National Association of Immigration Judges (NAIJ) has had with EOIR regarding guidance and resources related to COVID-19,” Tabaddor wrote. “We have received almost none of either.”
See the posters the judges union says the Justice Department ordered removed, below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-10--Fox Host Claims Coronavirus Is ‘Another Attempt To Impeach’ Trump In Unhinged Rant

Fox Business host Trish Regan had a full-blown meltdown on Monday night while accusing “ the liberal media ” and Democrats of conspiring to take down President Donald Trump with the fallout of COVID-19 .
Regan opened her program with a graphic that said “ CORONAVIRUS IMPEACHMENT SCAM ” as she blamed Democrats for the plummeting stock market that came as a result of the coronavirus outbreak , which has killed 26 and infected over 700 Americans as it ripples across the nation .
“ The chorus of hate being leveled at the President is nearing a crescendo as Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ originated halfway around the world !
” the anchor near-shouted .
“ This is yet another attempt to impeach the President , and sadly it seems they care very little for any of the destruction they are leaving in their wake –losses in stock market.
” “ This is impeachment all over again , ” she said after playing clips of various Democrats and commentators criticizing Trump ’ s response to the virus .
“ And like with the Mueller investigation , like with Ukraine-gate , they don ’ t care who they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toll of the coronavirus in the U.S. to that of the swine flu that emerged in 2009 .
“ And was there any criticism ?
No .
Because why ?
Because the media didn ’ t want to insult their precious President Obama , I suppose , ” she said with a snort .
Fox Business ’ media office did not respond to TPM ’ s request for comment .
Trump himself and other members of his administration have accused the President ’ s critics and the media of hyping the deadly virus @ @ @ @ @

Fox Business host Trish Regan had a full-blown meltdown on Monday night while accusing “the liberal media” and Democrats of conspiring to take down President Donald Trump with the fallout of COVID-19.
Regan opened her program with a graphic that said “CORONAVIRUS IMPEACHMENT SCAM” as she blamed Democrats for the plummeting stock market that came as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, which has killed 26 and infected over 700 Americans as it ripples across the nation.
“The chorus of hate being leveled at the President is nearing a crescendo as Democrats blame him—and only him—for a virus that originated halfway around the world!” the anchor near-shouted. “This is yet another attempt to impeach the President, and sadly it seems they care very little for any of the destruction they are leaving in their wake –losses in stock market.”
“This is impeachment all over again,” she said after playing clips of various Democrats and commentators criticizing Trump’s response to the virus. “And like with the Mueller investigation, like with Ukraine-gate, they don’t care who they hurt.”
Regan also compared the death toll of the coronavirus in the U.S. to that of the swine flu that emerged in 2009.
“And was there any criticism? No. Because why? Because the media didn’t want to insult their precious President Obama, I suppose,” she said with a snort.
Fox Business’ media office did not respond to TPM’s request for comment.
Trump himself and other members of his administration have accused the President’s critics and the media of hyping the deadly virus to hurt him politically.
Watch Regan below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-10--Trump Hasn’t Been Tested For Coronavirus Despite Contact With Self-Quarantining GOPers

The White House confirmed on late Monday night that President Donald Trump has not undergone a test for COVID-19 even though he has made contact with several Republican lawmakers who are now under self-quarantine due to exposure to a coronavirus patient .
“ The President has not received COVID-19 testing because he has neither had prolonged close contact with any known confirmed COVID-19 patients , nor does he have any symptoms , ” White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham said in a statement .
“ President Trump remains in excellent health , and his physician will continue to closely monitor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , medical professionals should base testing decisions on patient symptoms and exposure history , ” she continued .
Reps. Paul Gosar ( R-AZ ) , Doug Collins ( R-GA ) , Matt Gaetz ( R-FL ) , and Sen. Ted Cruz ( R-TX ) are quarantining themselves after making contact with an individual at the Conservative Political Action Conference ( CPAC ) less than two weeks ago who is now hospitalized for the coronavirus .
Even Matt Schlapp , the CPAC chair , made contact with the attendee and is also under self-quarantine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with several of those conservatives : He shook hands with Schlapp on the last day of CPAC on February 29 , he flew on Air Force One with Gaetz on Monday , and he shook hands with Collins on Friday during a tour of the Centers for Disease Control ( CDC ) facility in Atlanta , Georgia .
Vice President Mike Pence , whom Trump appointed to lead the administration ’ s response to the coronavirus , said during a press conference on Monday night that he did not know whether the President @ @ @ @ @ @ @

The White House confirmed on late Monday night that President Donald Trump has not undergone a test for COVID-19 even though he has made contact with several Republican lawmakers who are now under self-quarantine due to exposure to a coronavirus patient.
“The President has not received COVID-19 testing because he has neither had prolonged close contact with any known confirmed COVID-19 patients, nor does he have any symptoms,” White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham said in a statement. “President Trump remains in excellent health, and his physician will continue to closely monitor him.”
“Per current CDC guidelines, medical professionals should base testing decisions on patient symptoms and exposure history,” she continued.
Reps. Paul Gosar (R-AZ), Doug Collins (R-GA), Matt Gaetz (R-FL), and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) are quarantining themselves after making contact with an individual at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) less than two weeks ago who is now hospitalized for the coronavirus. Even Matt Schlapp, the CPAC chair, made contact with the attendee and is also under self-quarantine.
Trump has been in close contact with several of those conservatives: He shook hands with Schlapp on the last day of CPAC on February 29, he flew on Air Force One with Gaetz on Monday, and he shook hands with Collins on Friday during a tour of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) facility in Atlanta, Georgia.
Vice President Mike Pence, whom Trump appointed to lead the administration’s response to the coronavirus, said during a press conference on Monday night that he did not know whether the President had been tested for the disease.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-12--Fauci Won’t Say Whether Trump Should Be Tested For Coronavirus

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director and coronavirus task force member Anthony Fauci refused to comment on whether President Trump should be tested for coronavirus while speaking to reporters on the White House driveway Thursday afternoon .
Over the weekend , Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and his press aide Fabio Wajngarten met with Trump and Vice President Mike Pence in South Florida .
On Thursday morning , Brazilian newspapers reported that Wajngarten tested positive for coronavirus after returning to Brazil from the U.S .
Both the Brazilian Health Ministry and Bolsonaro ’ s office confirmed Thursday that Wajngarten @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him standing close to Trump and Pence at Mar-a-Lago — tested positive for COVID-19 .
When asked about how anyone could make the argument that Trump should not be tested given how he ’ s recently been in contact with someone who tested positive , Fauci declined to comment on whether the President should undergo coronavirus testing .
“ I am not going to comment on an individual who has a very competent physician , ” Fauci said , before adding that the White House physician is “ very competent.
” On Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he is “ not concerned ” about Bolsonaro ’ s press aide contracting the coronavirus .
White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham issued a statement Thursday afternoon saying that given how both Trump and Pence barely interacted with Wajngarten , they “ do not require being tested at this time .
”

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director and coronavirus task force member Anthony Fauci refused to comment on whether President Trump should be tested for coronavirus while speaking to reporters on the White House driveway Thursday afternoon.
Over the weekend, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and his press aide Fabio Wajngarten met with Trump and Vice President Mike Pence in South Florida. On Thursday morning, Brazilian newspapers reported that Wajngarten tested positive for coronavirus after returning to Brazil from the U.S. Both the Brazilian Health Ministry and Bolsonaro’s office confirmed Thursday that Wajngarten — who posted an Instagram photo of him standing close to Trump and Pence at Mar-a-Lago — tested positive for COVID-19.
When asked about how anyone could make the argument that Trump should not be tested given how he’s recently been in contact with someone who tested positive, Fauci declined to comment on whether the President should undergo coronavirus testing.
“I am not going to comment on an individual who has a very competent physician,” Fauci said, before adding that the White House physician is “very competent.”
On Thursday morning, Trump told White House reporters that he is “not concerned” about Bolsonaro’s press aide contracting the coronavirus.
White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham issued a statement Thursday afternoon saying that given how both Trump and Pence barely interacted with Wajngarten, they “do not require being tested at this time.”
Watch Fauci’s remarks below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-12--NY AG Orders Alex Jones To Stop Selling Unapproved ‘Fake Coronavirus Treatments’

The New York Attorney General Leticia James on Thursday ordered Alex Jones to cease and desist selling and marketing products as treatments for the coronavirus .
The notice to Jones came after the conspiracist and pitch man sold his products as effective against the novel coronavirus disease , COVID-19 , that is now considered a pandemic .
“ As the coronavirus continues to pose serious risks to public health , Alex Jones has spewed outright lies and has profited off of New Yorkers ’ anxieties , ” James said in a statement .
“ Mr .
Jones ’ public platform @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to shout inflammatory rhetoric , but his latest mistruths are incredibly dangerous and pose a serious threat to the public health of New Yorkers and individuals across the nation.
” James said she could take legal action against Jones if he didn ’ t stop the “ unlawful violations.
” “ Within the next ten business days , please contact the undersigned to confirm that you have so complied , ” wrote Lisa Landau , chief of the attorney general ’ s office ’ s health care bureau , in a letter to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with this directive may result in further action by this office.
” James cited a specific claim from Jones about his “ Superblue Toothpaste , ” which Jones ’ InfoWarsStore.com advertises “ is infused with high quality Nano Silver.
” James accused Jones of fraudulently claiming “ that the United States government has said his Superblue Toothpaste ‘ kills the whole SARS-corona family at point-blank range . '
” She pointed out that the FDA has not approved any vaccines or treatments for COVID-19 .
Jones said Tuesday that “ The patented nanosilver @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out and documented and Homeland Security has said this stuff kills the whole SARS-corona family at point-blank range.
” “ They ’ re still discounted despite all the hell breaking loose , ” Jones added .
As TPM and others have reported , Jones has pitched several of the products at his show ’ s store as helpful in fighting COVID-19 .
“ We sell great anti-virals like DNAForce plus , or our great other systems out there that empower the mitochondrial DNA , ” he said during a broadcast last week .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Super Blue toothpaste and other products .
That is literally a stopgap against this.
” Asked about Jones ’ pitches to consumers Wednesday , a Federal Trade Commission spokesperson told TPM the agency “ does not comment on whether it will , or if it is currently , conducting any particular investigation.
” The FTA and Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday warned several companies , including the program hosted by fringe televangelist Jim Bakker , against falsely advertising products like herbal remedies and colloidal silver as effective against COVID-19 .
That warning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s attorney general to Bakker .

The New York Attorney General Leticia James on Thursday ordered Alex Jones to cease and desist selling and marketing products as treatments for the coronavirus.
The notice to Jones came after the conspiracist and pitch man sold his products as effective against the novel coronavirus disease, COVID-19, that is now considered a pandemic.
“As the coronavirus continues to pose serious risks to public health, Alex Jones has spewed outright lies and has profited off of New Yorkers’ anxieties,” James said in a statement.
“Mr. Jones’ public platform has not only given him a microphone to shout inflammatory rhetoric, but his latest mistruths are incredibly dangerous and pose a serious threat to the public health of New Yorkers and individuals across the nation.”
James said she could take legal action against Jones if he didn’t stop the “unlawful violations.”
“Within the next ten business days, please contact the undersigned to confirm that you have so complied,” wrote Lisa Landau, chief of the attorney general’s office’s health care bureau, in a letter to Jones. “Your failure to comply with this directive may result in further action by this office.”
James cited a specific claim from Jones about his “Superblue Toothpaste,” which Jones’ InfoWarsStore.com advertises “is infused with high quality Nano Silver.”
James accused Jones of fraudulently claiming “that the United States government has said his Superblue Toothpaste ‘kills the whole SARS-corona family at point-blank range.'” She pointed out that the FDA has not approved any vaccines or treatments for COVID-19.
Jones said Tuesday that “The patented nanosilver we have, the Pentagon has come out and documented and Homeland Security has said this stuff kills the whole SARS-corona family at point-blank range.”
“They’re still discounted despite all the hell breaking loose,” Jones added.
As TPM and others have reported, Jones has pitched several of the products at his show’s store as helpful in fighting COVID-19.
“We sell great anti-virals like DNAForce plus, or our great other systems out there that empower the mitochondrial DNA,” he said during a broadcast last week. “And our SilverSol products like the Super Blue toothpaste and other products. That is literally a stopgap against this.”
Asked about Jones’ pitches to consumers Wednesday, a Federal Trade Commission spokesperson told TPM the agency “does not comment on whether it will, or if it is currently, conducting any particular investigation.”
The FTA and Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday warned several companies, including the program hosted by fringe televangelist Jim Bakker, against falsely advertising products like herbal remedies and colloidal silver as effective against COVID-19. That warning followed a similar letter from New York’s attorney general to Bakker.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-12--Medical Community Demands Trump Declare COVID-19 A National Emergency

In an unprecedented move , three of the country ’ s largest medical organizations demanded on Thursday that President Trump declare the coronavirus outbreak a national emergency .
The letter to Vice President Mike Pence from associations representing the country ’ s hospitals , nurses , and doctors asked that Trump declare a national emergency under the 1988 Stafford Act , which frees up resources and cash for states to more effectively respond to the crisis .
Trump ’ s ongoing refusal to make the declaration has stunned and frustrated state officials either struggling to contain or planning for inevitable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Politico reported on Wednesday that Trump did not want to declare an emergency for fear of contradicting his earlier statements that the virus was similar to the seasonal flu , and that he had instructed son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner to research the issue .
The fact that health care providers felt that it was necessary to send the letter underscores the need for a declaration .
The letter emphasizes that an emergency declaration is needed to to allow states to petition the Department of Health and Human Services to make changes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreaks , known as section 1135 waivers .
Washington State ’ s top public health official told TPM on Tuesday that the state needed a 1135 waiver to alleviate hospitals overflowing with coronavirus patients , while North Carolina ’ s Medicaid director told TPM on Thursday that the state ’ s plans for responding to an outbreak hinged on receiving a 1135 waiver .
The medical associations said in the letter that issuing a declaration would “ provide the support we need in our collective mission to support the well-being , health and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a time when it is needed most.
” The American Hospital Association , American Nurses Association , and the American Medical Association authored the letter .
“ It is of upmost importance that any concerns about costs for testing and care be removed so that individuals can be screened and if necessary treated , ” the letter reads .
“ Medicare and Medicaid programs , as well as commercial payers , have agreed to cover screening and treatment for COVID-19 .
While not part of waivers that can be implemented by HHS , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ costs for the uninsured , consistent with responses to several previous emergencies and natural disasters .
”

In an unprecedented move, three of the country’s largest medical organizations demanded on Thursday that President Trump declare the coronavirus outbreak a national emergency.
The letter to Vice President Mike Pence from associations representing the country’s hospitals, nurses, and doctors asked that Trump declare a national emergency under the 1988 Stafford Act, which frees up resources and cash for states to more effectively respond to the crisis.
Trump’s ongoing refusal to make the declaration has stunned and frustrated state officials either struggling to contain or planning for inevitable outbreaks of the highly contagious respiratory disease. Politico reported on Wednesday that Trump did not want to declare an emergency for fear of contradicting his earlier statements that the virus was similar to the seasonal flu, and that he had instructed son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner to research the issue.
The fact that health care providers felt that it was necessary to send the letter underscores the need for a declaration.
The letter emphasizes that an emergency declaration is needed to to allow states to petition the Department of Health and Human Services to make changes to their Medicaid programs to respond to outbreaks, known as section 1135 waivers.
Washington State’s top public health official told TPM on Tuesday that the state needed a 1135 waiver to alleviate hospitals overflowing with coronavirus patients, while North Carolina’s Medicaid director told TPM on Thursday that the state’s plans for responding to an outbreak hinged on receiving a 1135 waiver.
The medical associations said in the letter that issuing a declaration would “provide the support we need in our collective mission to support the well-being, health and safety of patients by allowing flexibility at a time when it is needed most.”
The American Hospital Association, American Nurses Association, and the American Medical Association authored the letter.
“It is of upmost importance that any concerns about costs for testing and care be removed so that individuals can be screened and if necessary treated,” the letter reads. “Medicare and Medicaid programs, as well as commercial payers, have agreed to cover screening and treatment for COVID-19. While not part of waivers that can be implemented by HHS, we ask for federal assistance in covering costs for the uninsured, consistent with responses to several previous emergencies and natural disasters.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-12--States Clamor For Trump Emergency Declaration

States are scrambling to prepare and respond to the coronavirus outbreak , petitioning Washington for changes to federal health insurance programs that could help them save lives .
And there ’ s a way to do it , but it requires one thing : an emergency declaration from President Trump .
Known in the dense legalese that surrounds government insurance programs as a section 1135 waiver , the option allows states to adjust elements of their Medicaid heath insurance programs to respond to an emergency .
States can apply for the waivers only once a President has declared an emergency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump has yet to do , reportedly in part to avoid contradicting himself after he downplayed the severity of the virus .
Dave Richard , deputy secretary for North Carolina Medicaid , told TPM that the state was only considering applying for Medicaid changes that would be possible following an emergency declaration .
“ We ’ re talking to CMS , ” Richard told TPM .
“ This is much more about long-term care services , trying to look at things that would help for as extended a period of time as we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ changes would help the state create surge capacity at medical facilities in the event of a serious outbreak , while also ensure that health-care workers who treat the elderly in long-term facilities — prime candidates for serious infection — themselves have adequate care .
With thousands of Americans infected and dozens dead , the Trump administration has yet to find a way to effectively test for the presence of the novel coronavirus .
But it ’ s the President ’ s ongoing refusal to declare an emergency over the disaster — which would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — which continues to hamper state-level planning .
Medicaid Health Plans of America , the program ’ s trade association , issued a statement on Wednesday demanding that CMS set consistent guidance for state departments of health that would include waiving cost sharing for people who are testing for or have been diagnosed with COVID-19 .
The trade association reportedly met with CMS representatives late Wednesday to discuss how Medicaid could be used to address the crisis .
“ People served by Medicaid include populations that are especially vulnerable to the spread of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ individuals with chronic , underlying health conditions , ” the statement reads .
Different states have addressed the crisis differently .
Florida Medicaid announced on Monday that it would cover testing and treatment of the novel coronavirus .
The state did not return a request for comment about whether it would seek a 1135 waiver , but CMS told TPM that it ’ s in contact with all the states about potential waivers .
Washington State ’ s top public health official told TPM on Tuesday that the state was discussing the potential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and holding out for the President to declare an emergency .
With eight documented cases , North Carolina has something of a head start on other states .
As tested , the outbreak has taken longer to reach the state , giving authorities more time to prepare .
And yet , officials are already anxious about what may come without a declaration .
“ If it appears that we need one .
If they haven ’ t done so , and we haven ’ t had that guidance , we ’ ll be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Richard said .
He said that the state had divided its response into phases , with the first array of policies focused on what could be done “ without federal authority.
” But the second phase , for which a 1135 waiver is necessary , remains the subject of discussion with CMS officials .
Richard said that the state ’ s biggest concern dealt with people in long-term care – either the elderly or people who otherwise require medical treatment over an extended period of time .
The changes , Richard said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ changes that covered more services in long-term care , allowing people to either stay at home or in the existing facility .
The focus would also be a shift towards “ keeping people on the program , ” allowing the state to remove requirements that would have seen people removed from Medicaid coverage .

States are scrambling to prepare and respond to the coronavirus outbreak, petitioning Washington for changes to federal health insurance programs that could help them save lives.
And there’s a way to do it, but it requires one thing: an emergency declaration from President Trump.
Known in the dense legalese that surrounds government insurance programs as a section 1135 waiver, the option allows states to adjust elements of their Medicaid heath insurance programs to respond to an emergency.
States can apply for the waivers only once a President has declared an emergency under the 1988 Stafford Act — which Trump has yet to do, reportedly in part to avoid contradicting himself after he downplayed the severity of the virus.
Dave Richard, deputy secretary for North Carolina Medicaid, told TPM that the state was only considering applying for Medicaid changes that would be possible following an emergency declaration.
“We’re talking to CMS,” Richard told TPM. “This is much more about long-term care services, trying to look at things that would help for as extended a period of time as we’re in this crisis.”
The changes would help the state create surge capacity at medical facilities in the event of a serious outbreak, while also ensure that health-care workers who treat the elderly in long-term facilities — prime candidates for serious infection — themselves have adequate care.
With thousands of Americans infected and dozens dead, the Trump administration has yet to find a way to effectively test for the presence of the novel coronavirus. But it’s the President’s ongoing refusal to declare an emergency over the disaster — which would unleash aid, funds, and FEMA — which continues to hamper state-level planning.
Medicaid Health Plans of America, the program’s trade association, issued a statement on Wednesday demanding that CMS set consistent guidance for state departments of health that would include waiving cost sharing for people who are testing for or have been diagnosed with COVID-19.
The trade association reportedly met with CMS representatives late Wednesday to discuss how Medicaid could be used to address the crisis.
“People served by Medicaid include populations that are especially vulnerable to the spread of viral diseases, particularly older adults and individuals with chronic, underlying health conditions,” the statement reads.
Different states have addressed the crisis differently. Florida Medicaid announced on Monday that it would cover testing and treatment of the novel coronavirus. The state did not return a request for comment about whether it would seek a 1135 waiver, but CMS told TPM that it’s in contact with all the states about potential waivers.
Washington State’s top public health official told TPM on Tuesday that the state was discussing the potential Medicaid change with the Trump administration, and holding out for the President to declare an emergency.
With eight documented cases, North Carolina has something of a head start on other states. As tested, the outbreak has taken longer to reach the state, giving authorities more time to prepare.
And yet, officials are already anxious about what may come without a declaration.
“If it appears that we need one. If they haven’t done so, and we haven’t had that guidance, we’ll be lobbying them to do that,” Richard said.
He said that the state had divided its response into phases, with the first array of policies focused on what could be done “without federal authority.”
But the second phase, for which a 1135 waiver is necessary, remains the subject of discussion with CMS officials.
Richard said that the state’s biggest concern dealt with people in long-term care – either the elderly or people who otherwise require medical treatment over an extended period of time.
The changes, Richard said, would allow the state to make rules changes that covered more services in long-term care, allowing people to either stay at home or in the existing facility.
The focus would also be a shift towards “keeping people on the program,” allowing the state to remove requirements that would have seen people removed from Medicaid coverage.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-12--NCAA Cancels March Madness Tournaments Amid Coronavirus Fears

The NCAA announced Thursday afternoon that it is canceling the rest of its men ’ s and women ’ s @ @ @ @ @ statement , the NCAA said that president Mark Emmert and the Board of Governors took @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 poses into account when deciding to cancel the remainder of its winter and spring @ @ @ @ @ statement said canceling the tournaments ensures that the NCAA is doing its part to “ @ @ @ @ @ spread of COVID-19 and that it saves the “ impracticality of hosting such events.
” @ @ @ @ @ day after the NCAA announced that it would hold its March Madness tournaments without fans @ @ @ @ @ essential staff and limited family.
” The NCAA ’ s Wednesday statement also said that @ @ @ @ @ the virus ’ “ fluidity ” and “ its impact on hosting events in a @ @ @ @ @ is far from the only sports organization to cancel or curtail its events .
The @ @ @ @ @ their seasons , and the MLB is delaying the start of its season .

The NCAA announced Thursday afternoon that it is canceling the rest of its men’s and women’s basketball tournaments.
In a statement, the NCAA said that president Mark Emmert and the Board of Governors took the public health threat that COVID-19 poses into account when deciding to cancel the remainder of its winter and spring tournaments and championships.
The statement said canceling the tournaments ensures that the NCAA is doing its part to “not contribute” to the spread of COVID-19 and that it saves the “impracticality of hosting such events.”
The move came just a day after the NCAA announced that it would hold its March Madness tournaments without fans and restrict attendance to “essential staff and limited family.” The NCAA’s Wednesday statement also said that its COVID-19 Advisory panel recognizes the virus’ “fluidity” and “its impact on hosting events in a public space.”
The NCAA is far from the only sports organization to cancel or curtail its events. The NBA and NHL have suspended their seasons, and the MLB is delaying the start of its season.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-12--White House, Supreme Court Closes To The Public As A Safety Measure Against Coronavirus

White House tours have been cancelled amid the COVID-19 epidemic , and the Supreme Court will be closed to the public indefinitely beginning late Thursday afternoon .
“ Out of an abundance of caution and until further notice , White House tours have been canceled , ” White House spokesperson Judd Deere told TPM in an email .
“ Out of concern for the health and safety of the public and Supreme Court employees , the Supreme Court Building will be closed to the public from 4:30 p.m. on March 12 , 2020 , until further notice , ” a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The building will still be open “ for official business , ” according to the site , and case filing deadlines will not be extended .
The U.S. Capitol was also closed to the public on Thursday .
“ We are taking this temporary action out of concern for the health and safety of congressional employees as well as the public , ” House Sergeant-at-Arms Paul Irving and Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Michael Stenger said in a statement .
“ We appreciate the understanding of those with planned visits interrupted by this necessary , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large non-government institutions in the U.S. have shut down in response to the rapid spread of the coronavirus ; the NBA and the NHL have suspended their seasons , and New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo ( D ) ordered the shutdown of Broadway theater shows and other events holding more than 500 people .

White House tours have been cancelled amid the COVID-19 epidemic, and the Supreme Court will be closed to the public indefinitely beginning late Thursday afternoon.
“Out of an abundance of caution and until further notice, White House tours have been canceled,” White House spokesperson Judd Deere told TPM in an email.
“Out of concern for the health and safety of the public and Supreme Court employees, the Supreme Court Building will be closed to the public from 4:30 p.m. on March 12, 2020, until further notice,” a notice on the Supreme Court website read.
The building will still be open “for official business,” according to the site, and case filing deadlines will not be extended.
The U.S. Capitol was also closed to the public on Thursday.
“We are taking this temporary action out of concern for the health and safety of congressional employees as well as the public,” House Sergeant-at-Arms Paul Irving and Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Michael Stenger said in a statement. “We appreciate the understanding of those with planned visits interrupted by this necessary, but prudent, decision.”
Additionally, large non-government institutions in the U.S. have shut down in response to the rapid spread of the coronavirus; the NBA and the NHL have suspended their seasons, and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) ordered the shutdown of Broadway theater shows and other events holding more than 500 people.