Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Postmaster General Backs Off Changes But Union Leaders Say Damage Is Already Done
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy said the U.S. Postal Service is suspending operational changes, such as removal of mail processing equipment and collection boxes, until after the November election, as the agency tries to reassure Americans that it can handle the anticipated surge in mail-in voting. Calling the timely delivery of the nation鈥檚 election mail a 鈥渟acred duty,鈥 Mr. DeJoy said the agency won鈥檛 change retail hours at post offices across the country or close any mail-sorting facilities. (Andrews, Corse and Ziobro, 8/18)
Miriam Bell, general president of a local chapter of the American Postal Workers Union in North Carolina, said seven sorting machines at a Charlotte postal facility have been either separated out, dismantled or entirely removed in recent weeks. Asked if she expects them to return, Bell said, "We truthfully do not know," adding, "it is highly unlikely they will be put back in place." (Devine and Murphy, 8/19)
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Tuesday credited public pressure for spurring Postmaster General Louis DeJoy's decision to roll back reforms at the U.S. Postal Service that prompted fears of election interference. The news that the Postal Service was suspending its 鈥渙perational initiatives鈥 broke moments before Pelosi鈥檚 interview with POLITICO Playbook authors Anna Palmer and Jake Sherman. (Cohen, 8/18)
In other news about voting 鈥
President Donald Trump's reelection campaign sued New Jersey Tuesday over the state's decision to use a hybrid voting model for November's election in which all residents will be mailed a ballot, leaving it up to them to decide if they would like to vote by mail or in person. (Grise, 8/19)
The Election Super Centers Project has four NBA teams participating so far 鈥 the Indiana Pacers (Indianapolis), Los Angeles Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks and Washington Wizards 鈥 as well as the NFL鈥檚 Pittsburgh Steelers, MLB鈥檚 Boston Red Sox and the NHL鈥檚 New Jersey Devils (Newark) and Washington Capitals (who share an arena and owner with the Wizards). The Golden State Warriors are also in discussions to join the program. (Montellaro, 8/18)