Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
VA Nominee's Hearing Postponed As Senators Look Into Unverified Allegations Of Misconduct
Senate lawmakers have postponed the confirmation hearing for Ronny L. Jackson, President Trump鈥檚 nominee to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs, after top Republicans and Democrats raised concerns about his qualifications and oversight of the White House medical staff, White House and other administration officials were told Monday. The development came just two days before Jackson, the White House physician, was scheduled to testify before the Senate Committee on Veterans鈥 Affairs and threw what was looking to be a difficult confirmation process into further jeopardy. (Kim, Rein and Dawsey, 4/23)
Members of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee have reportedly been informed of聽unverified聽allegations of misconduct against Rear Adm. Ronny Jackson, President Trump's pick to the lead the VA, posing a new roadblock for his nomination. The Washington Post聽first reported Monday evening that the Senate panel is delaying a confirmation hearing for Jackson previously scheduled for Wednesday as members look into the new claims. (Manchester, 4/23)
Two Republican sources with direct knowledge of the situation say the White House is aware that both Democratic and Republican lawmakers are looking into potential problems. Republican lawmakers and aides on the committee say they are also grappling with the allegations, trying to assess what they mean for Jackson's nomination to the post. (Summers, Mattingly, Raju, Barrett and Zeleny, 4/24)
Republicans and Democrats alike have been talking over the weekend, and in person on Monday, about the potential for allegations to derail Jackson鈥檚 nomination, senators said. But the nature of discussions now going on about the material is 鈥渃onversational,鈥 said Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.). Tillis suggested that the Jackson confirmation hearing scheduled for Wednesday may be "pushed back pending a review of some of this stuff that, like I said, I've only heard on a conversational basis. I think that's where we'll spend our time this week." (Everett and Schor, 4/23)