Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Biden Aims A Shot At The Unvaxxed, Lays Blame For Ongoing Crisis
President Biden is done pussy-footing around on COVID-19 vaccination. And he鈥檚 betting most Americans are too. The pugnacious speech Biden delivered late Thursday afternoon marked an abrupt change of tone. It could be a political turning point. Biden, in the past, has favored a patient nudging of people toward vaccination. That鈥檚 gone now. In its place is a willingness to hammer vaccine skeptics for their irresponsibility. (Stanage, 9/9)
President Biden says he's met the enemy 鈥 and it's America's unvaccinated. The majority of U.S. sentiment may be with him. But Biden's still taking a major political risk, and he and his team know it. He's testing business leaders' resolve, putting Democrats' standing in swing states and districts on the line ahead of 2022's midterm elections and tempting a tsunami of litigation over new requirements that could touch 100 million Americans. (Nichols and Talev, 9/9)
They鈥檙e a source of frustration. A risk to their fellow citizens. A threat to the nation鈥檚 economic recovery. President Joe Biden is trying to concentrate the anger of the nation鈥檚 inoculated majority against the stubborn 25% of eligible Americans who remain unvaccinated against COVID-19. Nearly 8 months after declaring 鈥渨ar鈥 on the coronavirus as he took office, Biden on Friday announced far-reaching new federal requirements that could force millions to get shots. In doing so, he embraced those who haven鈥檛 rolled up their sleeves as a new foe amid a devastating surge in cases that is straining the nation鈥檚 health system and constricting its economy. (Miller, 9/10)