STAT+: As Ebola outbreak grows, Trump administration veers from previous government playbook

STAT PlusPolitics As Ebola outbreak grows, Trump administration veers from previous government playbook The Biden administration prepared hundreds of pages of plans. The Trump administration is opting for its own strategy Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Daniel Payne and Chelsea CirruzzoMay 30, 2026 Daniel Payne[email protected]Daniel covers the intersection of the health industry and the federal government. He reports on corporate influence in government, the health consequences of federal policies, and the politics of health care. Confidential tips can be sent on Signal at danielp.100.Chelsea Cirruzzo[email protected]Chelsea covers the Department of Health and Human Services with a particular focus on power and influence at the top. Confidential tips can be sent via Signal at chelseacirruzzo.42. WASHINGTON — In January 2025, with the Covid-19 pandemic still top of mind, the Biden administration left behind extensive plans for how the federal bureaucracy should work to stop future disease outbreaks. The plans were hundreds of pages long and addressed dozens of specific issues, including the government response to diseases like Ebola and how to move Americans from outbreak zones back to the U.S. for care.Advertisement But weeks later, the Trump administration took Washington by storm — and began disregarding the plans, according to two former Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials who worked in the Trump administration and four people familiar with the Biden-era plans. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus daily intelligence on Capitol Hill and the life sciences industry — by subscribing to STAT+. Already have an account? Log in Monthly $39 Totals $468 per year $39/month Get Started Totals $468 per year Starter $30 for 3 months, then $399/year $30 for 3 months Get Started Then $399/year Annual $399 Save 15% $399/year Get Started Save 15% 11+ Users Custom Savings start at 25%! Request A Quote Request A Quote Savings start at 25%! 2-10 Users $300 Annually per user $300/year Get Started $300 Annually per user View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe Log In Donald Trump, infectious diseases, Joe Biden, Policy, public health, STAT+, White House Submit a correction requestReprints Daniel Payne Washington Correspondent Daniel covers the intersection of the health industry and the federal government. He reports on corporate influence in government, the health consequences of federal policies, and the politics of health care. Confidential tips can be sent on Signal at danielp.100. Chelsea Cirruzzo Washington Correspondent Chelsea covers the Department of Health and Human Services with a particular focus on power and influence at the top. Confidential tips can be sent via Signal at chelseacirruzzo.42. Newsletter The latest updates in federal health agencies, research institutes, and U.S. policy Recommended Politics June 1, 2026 STAT Plus: Medicare still won’t say how much covering obesity drugs will cost Business June 1, 2026 STAT Plus: No Surprises Act arbitration rule could worsen flood of provider disputes Advertisement Biotech May 30, 2026 STAT Plus: China competition, ‘destruction’ at FDA give agency chance to restructure, Rick Pazdur says Politics May 29, 2026 STAT Plus: Trump administration seeks to overhaul federal grantmaking process, alarming researchers D.C. Diagnosis May 28, 2026 STAT Plus: Trump’s pharma deals get tested Subscriber Picks