The White House’s proposed budget includes funding for a small children’s health program sought by one of President Donald Trump’s golfing buddies: Jack Nicklaus.
Under the administration’s fiscal 2020 funding plan released Monday, HHS would steer $20 million toward a mobile children’s hospital project at Miami’s Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, named for the legendary golfer.
Nicklaus had lobbied Trump on the golf course in Florida, and he met with HHS Secretary Alex Azar and then-OMB Director Mick Mulvaney in Washington, D.C., to request funds, say two individuals with knowledge. Trump personally directed HHS to earmark the funds to help Nicklaus develop mobile children’s hospitals, one individual said.
While HHS has supported the use of mobile hospitals after disasters, like devastating hurricanes that have hit the Gulf Coast and the Caribbean, health officials haven’t previously seen the need for specialized mobile hospitals for children.
The Trump-backed plan is referenced in a single sentence in the 162-page HHS budget proposal that mentions a funding infusion for the National Disaster Medical System. “The $20 million increase will continue support for the pediatric disaster care pilot initiative which aims to improve pediatric care during emergencies,” the budget proposal reads. The two individuals confirmed that the funding would be for the Nicklaus project.
…….
- Discussion
-
Trump's proposed budget would steer $20,000,000 to a hospital project backed by golfer Jack Nicklaus. Nicklaus lobbied Trump on the golf course in Florida. Trump personally directed HHS to earmark the funds, Politico reports. https://t.co/KcQN4gVxkK
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) March 12, 2019
Everyone loves American icon Jack Nicklaus.
This, however, is the most petty kind of third-world kleptocratic garbage.
"I golfed with the Dear Leader and now I get $20 million." https://t.co/pVjR9zdRPD
— Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) March 12, 2019
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.