FEMA to overhaul its disaster aid system after decades of criticism

...

The agency announced on Friday that it will fundamentally overhaul the way it delivers aid to survivors, launching new programs to provide quick cash payments to those in need and eliminating much of the bureaucracy that hampers aid access. 

“This is really a transformational, deeply impactful, meaningful, and historic change in our provision of individual assistance to survivors of natural disasters,” said Alejandro Mayorkas, the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees FEMA. “For too long, in the face of too many natural disasters and extreme weather events, survivors have had to overcome many barriers to access to federal assistance.”

...

US and UK announce biosecurity alliance to counter pandemics and bioterrorism The two nations have entered into a new strategic dialogue on biological security. Sophie Wingate The Independent

The UK and US have agreed to work together to counter growing biological threats such as pandemics, antimicrobial resistance and bioterrorism.

The two nations announced a new strategic dialogue on biosecurity on Tuesday.

...

Health care negotiations on Capitol Hill are clear as mud As Congress hurtles toward another government funding deadline, lawmakers are struggling to fund important health programs and other add-ons. Sarah Owermohle STAT

...

As Congress hurtles toward another government funding deadline, conversations between the House and Senate over a package to fund important health programs and other add-ons providers want haven’t reached a conclusion

Governors from 15 states reject summer food assistance program - UPI.com Children in more than a dozen states like Iowa and Nebraska will not be getting food assistance this summer after 15 governors recently rejected a new federally funded food aid program. UPI

An estimated 8 million youngsters would be affected across Mississippi, Alabama, Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Louisiana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Vermont and Wyoming.

...