Why Seattle's health director is suing HHS

HHS last summer made a move that shocked public health leaders: The Trump administration abruptly canceled $200 million-plus in funding for dozens of teen pregnancy prevention projects around the country. HHS said the projects weren't working, but public health advocates argue that HHS' decision was politically motivated - just the latest round in Republicans' war on Planned Parenthood. One leader who's thrown herself into the fight: Patty Hayes, who oversees public health for 2 million people in Seattle and the surrounding King County - and sued HHS to try to get the money back. Patty joined POLITICO's Dan Diamond to discuss how moves in Washington, D.C., have affected her work in Washington State (starts at the 1:30 mark), how she views the Trump administration and why she's suing HHS (11:00), her local perspective on the opioid fight (19:55), the public health challenges that get overshadowed (26:00), and her own career as nurse-turned-public health leader and why she joined Twitter as @PurpleHayesRN (33:00). We'd appreciate your help: Please share PULSE CHECK and rate us on your favorite podcast app! Have questions, suggestions or feedback? Email [email protected]. Stories and audio referenced on the podcast: DD's story on the conservative leaders on the rise at HHS: https://www.politico.com/story/2018/01/22/trump-religious-activists-hhs-351735 Last week's Pulse Check with Rachel Lazer of Americans United for Separation of Church and State: https://simplecast.com/s/4ed0877f Last summer's Pulse Check with NYC health commissioner Mary Bassett and Chicago health commissioner Julie Morita: https://simplecast.com/s/ab9b9df6 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices