Health Care — Presented by Emergent — Can COVID-19 spikes help DeSantis?

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View Online Health Care Health Care PRESENTED BY   The Big Story  Could rising COVID-19 cases give DeSantis a lifeline? COVID-19 infections are steadily rising across the country, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) appears to be eagerly weaponizing the issue as he tries to gain ground in the GOP presidential primary against former President Trump. © The Hill/Greg Nash While infections and hospitalizations are rising, the numbers are far below where they were at the height of the pandemic; infections are not surging, and hospitals are far from being overwhelmed like they were at the pandemic's zenith   So, even though federal health officials have given no indication that they will recommend a return to mandatory masks or vaccine mandates, DeSantis is pushing back hard, as he tries to run to the right of Trump on COVID-19 issues.   DeSantis gained prominence on the national stage by publicly feuding with the Biden administration's top health officials over COVID-19 policy. In 2021, a DeSantis-aligned PAC made headlines by selling merchandise featuring slogans like "Don't Fauci My Florida," in reference to Anthony Fauci, then a top health official and frequent target of the GOP.    COVID-19 generally, and Fauci specifically, have been a sore spot for Trump.    During an interview with Megyn Kelly on SiriusXM, she seemed dubious of Trump's reasons for not firing Fauci as the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases while in office.   "You made him a star … This is the criticism of you, that you made him the face of the White House Coronavirus Task Force," Kelly said.   Before Trump left office, he gave Fauci a presidential commendation. In a Fox News Radio interview, DeSantis contended that Trump "would do the same thing all over again, if put in that position, and that would be disastrous for our country."   Trump leads DeSantis by about 40 points in the current national weighted polling average maintained by data site FiveThirtyEight. That is a far wider gap than Trump enjoyed earlier in the year, before the Florida governor launched his White House campaign.   This week, DeSantis and his handpicked surgeon general urged anyone under the age of 65 to not get vaccinated — a move that directly countered what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended for the updated vaccines.    DeSantis asserted that he was not going to let public health bodies "use healthy Floridians as guinea pigs for new booster shots that have not been proven to be safe or effective."   Read more on TheHill.com Welcome to The Hill's Health Care newsletter, we're Nathaniel Weixel and Joseph Choi — every week we follow the latest moves on how Washington impacts your health. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here. Essential Reads  How policy will be impacting the health care sector this week and beyond: Partisan divide persists over updated COVID shots A heavy partisan divide is looming over the new COVID-19 vaccines, underscoring the deep political schism over the shots, according to a new poll. The poll, from Morning Consult and Politico, finds that a majority of Americans are willing to consider getting new COVID-19 vaccines, but that a large minority are solidly against receiving the shots. Predictably, it is Democrats who will generally get the shots, per the poll, and …  Full Story Half of Americans interested in updated COVID vaccine, poll finds A new Reuters/Ipsos poll shows about half of Americans are interested in getting a new COVID-19 shot. The poll found almost 30 percent of respondents are "very interested" and 24 percent "somewhat interested" in an updated vaccine, according to the survey.  Full Story Despite strong support for Medicare drug negotiations, Biden sees little boost: poll A new poll finds three-quarters of Americans favor Medicare's new powers to negotiate prices for some prescription drugs, but President Biden isn’t getting a huge political boost for executing the policy. According to a recent Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll, 86 percent of Democrats and 66 percent of Republicans support the updated abilities for Medicare. One in 5 Americans are neutral on …  Full Story On Our Radar  Upcoming news themes and events we're watching: The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health will hold a hearing Tuesday looking into improving seniors' access to medical devices and technology. The House Committee on Oversight and Accountability has another hearing on pharmacy benefit managers and the role they play in the prescription drug market, scheduled for next Tuesday A MESSAGE FROM EMERGENT   Public health preparedness is how we protect American lives.  From new viruses to the risk of chemical or biological attacks, public health threats can emerge anywhere. At any time. Now is the time to protect us all against things we hope never happen — just in case they ever do. Learn more. In Other News  Branch out with a different read from The Hill: Big wins for organized labor and progressive causes as California lawmakers wrap for the year SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — When health care workers in California asked the state Legislature for a raise earlier this year, it seemed like the longest of long shots — especially after lawmakers in May had to loan hospitals in financial distress $150 million just to stay open. But on Thursday, just before the Legislature adjourned for the … Full Story Around the Nation  Local and state headlines on health care: "Where is there to go?" He needs gender-affirming surgery, but his state is fighting to deny coverage (ProPublica) Most Floridians see COVID vaccines as safe. But many also believe conspiracy theories — including microchips (South Florida Sun-Sentinel) Is housing a form of health care? A Washington program says it is (Crosscut) What We're Reading  Health news we've flagged from other outlets: Republicans soften on federal marijuana reform in a shift that could make it a reality (NBC) Troops reject abortion travel policy fueling Tuberville blockade (Politico) VA threatened with subpoena if it doesn't turn over abortion data to House committee (Military.com) A MESSAGE FROM EMERGENT   Public health preparedness is how we protect American lives.  From new viruses to the risk of chemical or biological attacks, public health threats can emerge anywhere. At any time. Now is the time to protect us all against things we hope never happen — just in case they ever do. Learn more. What Others are Reading  Most read stories on The Hill right now: Judge asked to impose narrow gag order on Trump in Jan. 6 case; prosecutors cite witness intimidation Special counsel Jack Smith on Friday asked a judge to limit the extent former President Trump can discuss his looming trial on charges related to his … Read more Special counsel warned Trump could 'precipitate violence' if told of Twitter search warrant Newly unsealed court records indicate special counsel Jack Smith's team warned that former President Trump could “precipitate violence” … Read more What People Think  Opinions related to health submitted to The Hill: The GOP's deafening silence on access to contraception We need action on the youth mental health crisis, not more talk   You're all caught up. See next week!  Check out The Hill's Health Care page for the latest coverage. 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