Multiple Planned Parenthood affiliates are suing the Trump administration over changes to a federal grant program geared toward cutting teen pregnancy rates. The changes, issued through a funding opportunity announcement (FOA) in April, emphasize abstinence education and programs that have not been rigorously tested. Planned Parenthood argues in its lawsuit that the FOA goes against congressional intent for the program because it does not require the use of programs that have been "proven effective through rigorous evaluation." Why it matters: Planned Parenthood said the lawsuit seeks to protect the future of the program. "If successful, the lawsuit will ensure that the TPP program maintains its evidence-based principles and that new grantees are not forced to push dangerous [abstinence only until marriage] curriculums," Planned Parenthood said in a statement. We have more here. States are rethinking their approach to parental drug addiction, creating programs that keep parents with their children during treatment. The opioid crisis gripping states and communities across the country has spawned a new focus on the way child and family welfare agencies think about addiction, and whether mothers and fathers should be allowed to keep custody of their children as they undergo treatment. Many states have seen a surge in the number of children entering foster care systems, an increase likely tied to the prevalence of opioids. In the past, those states considered substance abuse a form of neglect, sufficient to remove children from dangerous homes. The new strategy: Some states are creating programs aimed at keeping children with their parents during treatment. They hope that approach will encourage parents to seek the help they need, without adding the trauma caused by removing children from their homes. Read more here. Next week, Azar faces senators amid child migrant crisis: Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar will face the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday. The hearing is supposed to be about drug prices, but Azar is sure to also be pressed on the fate of over 2,000 migrant children in his department's care who the government separated from their parents. It remains unclear when and how the children will be reunited with their parents. President Trump's drug pricing plan, the scheduled topic of the hearing, could also provide some fireworks. Democrats have consistently said that the plan is far too soft on drug companies. Azar has been trying to defend the plan, arguing that he is serious about bringing down prices. Many details remain to be filled in on the plan, though. Azar could be pressed again about President Trump's claim at the end of May that drug companies would be announcing "massive drops in prices" that would come "in two weeks." More than two weeks have passed without any such price drops. Other events next week Tuesday at 2:30 pm: The Senate Health Committee will mark up a bill aimed at addressing high maternal mortality rates in the U.S. Tuesday at 3:30 pm: Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar will speak at the Heritage Foundation about the importance of free-market principles in health care. The Senate health committee will also hold a hearing Wednesday at 10 am on "how to reduce health care costs: understanding the cost of health care in America." |
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