HHS lawyer: Trump's drug cards could violate election law

[brooklynite]

Source: Politico

The health department’s top lawyer is warning in an internal memo that President Donald Trump's plan to give seniors $200 discount cards to buy prescription drugs could violate election law, according to three officials with knowledge of those legal concerns.

The lawyer’s objection, coupled with his advice to seek approval from the Department of Justice, is a significant blow to Trump’s hope to promote the hastily devised plan before Election Day.

Robert Charrow, a political appointee who serves as the Health and Human Services department's general counsel, warned in the memo that the plan's timing and design could invite legal challenges, those officials said. For instance, Charrow cautioned health officials that moving forward with the proposed $7.9 billion plan — which would be paid for by dipping into one of Medicare's trust funds, and which senior Trump appointees had hoped to tout in letters sent to millions of seniors this week — would spark concerns about inappropriately using federal funds so close to the election.

Meanwhile, Charrow and his office late last week instructed administration officials to seek guidance from the DOJ's public integrity section, which deals with election crimes, before moving forward with the drug-discount plan. That has further stalled the plan as the health department waits for DOJ review, said two officials.

Read more: https://www.politico.com/news/2020/10/16/hhs-lawyer-trump-drug-cards-election-law-429989

[underpants]

1. Myrtle is going to be pissed off - she thought she had some free weed coming

Myrtle don’t play games either

[mobeau69]

2. Killer Con is so fucking desperate it's funny! nt

[magicarpet]

3. TrDump is prepared to give away the store to get reelected,...

... then he intends to send out a love letter to voters to say trDumpie knows how hard they are struggling to make ends meet. Uncle Donald feels your pain and sent you this money to help you out. Just don't forget to vote for your rich Uncle Donald who gives you all the money.

The quid pro quo scheme. I give you tax payer money,... (but make you think I gave you the money from my pocket)..you give me your vote.

* California fires federal relief/assistance.
Now give trDumpie your damn vote.

* New Corvid $1,200.00 check to everyone one again.
Now give trDumpie your damn vote.

* $200.00 check for seniors prescriptions.
Now give trDumpie your damn vote.

* federal money for farmers to provide food to low income,.. with a trDump love letter in the food box explaining how trDumpie made the free food possible,... now give him your damn vote for reelection.

[Bayard]

4. Desperate

He knows he's losing the senior vote. And apparently also thinks they're stupid.

[OldBaldy1701E]

5. Hysterical...

Now, I use generic brands whenever possible. Were I forced to use the name brands for my scripts, that $200 would cover exactly half of one month's supply of one medication. The orange gibbon has no concept of just how insulting that idea is, especially coming from someone as gaudy as he is. VOTE NOV. 3RD IF NOT BEFORE! THEY ALL MUST GO!

[marie999]

6. If my husband and I had to pay for our medications,

the cost would be over $100,000. Thankfully we are covered under the VA healthcare system as are 9 million veterans. They treat 6 million veterans each year. I don't know why all veterans don't apply for it. Even if they don't need it, we know many that are in HMOs and say they don't need it. I ask them what if you have a healthcare problem while traveling but it isn't an emergency. They say they have to go home. I tell them to get into the system. They only have to see the primary care doctor once a year to stay covered and they don't have to worry about being out of their HMO's area. They can even be in many foreign countries. And that is why we need single-payer healthcare.