Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Obama Orders Government Contractors To Give Workers Paid Sick Leave
President Obama signed an executive order on Monday requiring federal contractors to provide up to seven days of paid sick leave a year, even as he accused Republican congressional leaders of endangering the economy and Republican presidential candidates of undercutting American workers. ... He also chastised abortion opponents in Congress for threatening to shut down the federal government in an effort to cut off taxpayer financing for Planned Parenthood, saying such a move could damage the economy at a time of global volatility. A shutdown would be completely irresponsible, Mr. Obama said. It would be an unforced error, a fumble on the goal line. (Baker, 9/7)
President Obama rallied union workers here Monday, unveiling a new executive order that will require federal contractors to offer employees up to seven days of paid sick leave, a move he sought to contrast with Republican economic policies. Obama announced the new directive, which the White House said could benefit more than 300,000 workers, during a Labor Day speech in Boston. It was the latest in the White Houses year-long effort to pressure Congress to approve legislation that would provide similar benefits for millions of private-sector workers. (Nakamura, 9/7)
Obama addressed the order during a Labor Day speech at a Boston breakfast and rally, where he also called on Congress to extend paid leave to millions more Americans by passing the Healthy Families Act, which would mandate that all employers with more than 15 employees would have to grant at least seven sick days annually. In addition, Obama pointed to Massachusetts as an example of a state that has passed similar sick leave laws, calling on other cities and states to do the same. (Gass, 9/7)
Business groups said Obamas order would make it harder for small businesses to retain federal contractors and could hinder economic growth. Once again President Obama is using the federal procurement system to do something it was never been designed to do: usurp the legislative authority of Congress to determine appropriate workplace policies, said Randy Johnson, senior vice president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. (Ebbert, 9/7)
According to the White House, the order will give roughly 300,000 workers under federal contracts up to seven paid sick days per year. Workers will earn one hour of leave for every 30 hours worked. The rules will start with new federal contracts signed starting in 2017. (Jamieson, 9/7)
The Hillalso examines regulatory changes that the administration may be looking at.
The window is already closing on President Obamas regulatory agenda, and agencies across the federal government are moving to crank out a slew of new rules before election year politics bring business in Washington to a virtual standstill. ... Here are ten of the most highly anticipated rules likely to come down the pipeline in the remainder of 2015: Tobacco: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is expected to finalize its tobacco deeming rule to regulate all tobacco products under the Tobacco Control Act, including electronic cigarettes and cigars. ... Food safety: The Food and Drug Administration has signed off on final rules to protect people and animals from foodborne illnesses. ... Electronic records: Final rules from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to simplify requirements for its new electronic health record system could come this fall. (Wheeler, 9/6)
