White House statement: President Trump takes action on healthcare

Earlier today, President Trump took another groundbreaking action to put American patients back in charge of their healthcare. The new rule will require ALL healthcare systems to provide Americans secure access and control of their own health records.

Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham released a statement, which reads in part:

Patients will be empowered to share their record with family members and care providers and more easily choose the doctor and treatment that is right for them. No longer will Americans spend hundreds of dollars on redundant medical tests or countless hours collecting copies of their medical record, which are often still transferred using a fax machine or CD-ROM. Americans will finally be able to control their health record.

. . . The Obama/Biden Administration spent $36 billion of stimulus dollars to achieve widespread use of Electronic Health Records, yet Americans are still largely unable to access their full health record more than a decade later. President Trump is correcting this problem and building an American healthcare system where patients are in charge.

Read Press Secretary Grisham’s full statement.

MORE: Access to medical records can be the difference between life and death

Coronavirus update: A whole-of-America approach

Protecting American communities from the global Coronavirus outbreak remains the top priority for President Trump and his Administration.

Vice President Mike Pence and the White House Coronavirus Task Force have been tapped by President Trump to lead the federal response. Over the weekend, the Vice President held a briefing with cruise industry leaders in Ft. Lauderdale, joined by Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf and CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield.

Watch VP Pence hold briefing with cruise ship executives

“As evidenced here today, it’s not just the whole-of-government approach, bringing the full resources of the federal government; it’s really a whole-of-America approach,” Vice President Pence said.

On Friday, President Trump signed an $8.3 billion funding bill to combat Coronavirus, support local responders, and defend the health and safety of the American people.

WATCH LIVE at 5:30 p.m. ET: White House Coronavirus Task Force briefing

Press Secretary Grisham: Now is not the time for partisan politics

Video of the day: First Lady honors women of courage!

First Lady Melania Trump took part in a ceremony last week to honor the winners of the 2020 International Women of Courage Awards.

Each year, the State Department recognizes women around the globe who advocate for peace, human rights, and women’s empowerment. The recipients often pursue these causes despite great personal risk. This year’s 12 honorees were no exception.

“In my fourth year attending this ceremony, I continue to be inspired by the personal stories that accompany each of these extraordinary women,” the First Lady said.

Photo of the Day

President Trump, joined by Health & Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, signs Coronavirus preparedness & response supplemental appropriations | March 6, 2020