Cassidy declines to comment to reporters after Overton's hearing on whether he was reassured, saying he needs to review what she said

FDA nominee Heidi Overton says MMR vaccine is "not lethal" and is "safe and effective." Under questioning from Cassidy

Cassidy tells me ahead of FDA hearing, "I’m trying to be neutral in my preconception.” Says it would "certainly start to be a good sign" if Overton answers vaccine questions the way Surgeon general nominee Nicole Saphier did last week punchbowl.news/article/senat…

Vice President JD Vance reignited the battle over Obamacare on Tuesday, with less than two months until the midterms. @PeterSullivan4 has more: punchbowl.news/article/healt…

🚨News: Collins says any attempt by the administration to politicize grant making at the NIH is “contrary to congressional intent.” Statement comes after reports in WaPo & Politico that Trump admin is looking to use an EO to overhaul NIH grants PBN text subs had it first.

Breaking: Iran military operations have cost $43.6B as of Sept. 3, according to a new estimate Central Command provided to congressional defense committees this week. That includes: ~11.2B for ops ~$28.1B to replace expended munitions ~$4.3B for replacing lost equipment

New: House Dem healthcare working group has sent its report to Jeffries, looking ahead to next year Medicare for All is included as one option among an array of proposals. Also out of pocket caps, dental/vision/hearing, health workforce punchbowl.news/article/healt…

Cassidy told me he had a "very cordial" meeting with FDA nom Heidi Overton But when asked if he is ruling out voting for her, he said "I'd rather not comment." He did say she will have a hearing and that timing is being worked out.

"Unquestionably the MMR vaccine is the single most effective public health tool that we have against measles" says Chris Klomp, deputy HHS sec nominee, at his hearing

Shaheen says she has talked to the White House who has "some interest" in the $35 insulin bill

🚨DeLauro says she's learned DOD is trying to use NIH money to supplement the Pentagon's budget. This is the kind of thing Approps Dems will surely be investigating/going after if Dems take the majority next Congress

Photo that captures the vibes of today 👀📸 MGP testified Wednesday before Rules Committee The Dem Rules ranking member Jim McGovern turned his back on her during her testimony

Guthrie pushing health care price transparency, a contender if year-end health package comes together “I would love to see it pass the House floor before we break in October, but if not I certainly would want it by the end of the year,” he told me

News: Bipartisan group of senators unveiling bill today to reform 340B drug pricing program Result of years-long working group. Moran, Baldwin, Capito, Kaine, Boozman, Hickenlooper Story: punchbowl.news/article/healt… Bill text: punchbowl.news/56ea0919a4eeb…

Today is my first day @PunchbowlNews covering health care! Please add me to your Congress or health care related email lists: peter@punchbowl.news For tips etc also on Signal at petersu.98

HELP committee plans to hold CDC director and surgeon general confirmation hearings in July, spox tells me Cassidy said on CBS he thinks they’ll be confirmed