Monday, April 29, 2019
Americans Overwhelmingly Want Federal Protections Against Surprise Medical Bills | Kaiser Health News
Americans Overwhelmingly Want Federal Protections Against Surprise Medical Bills | Kaiser Health News: Three-quarters of people urge action to keep patients from facing high medical costs when their insurance doesn’t cover the care, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation poll.
Even Among Kids Who 'Recover' From Autism, Struggles Remain - Disability Scoop
Even Among Kids Who 'Recover' From Autism, Struggles Remain - Disability Scoop: Some children outgrow autism, researchers say, but losing the diagnosis doesn't mean these kids are free of challenges.
Health insurer CEOs score big paychecks despite public scrutiny
Health insurer CEOs score big paychecks despite public scrutiny: CEOs for the eight largest publicly traded insurers saw total compensation climb 14.4% in 2018.
Pharma Lobby Nears Spending Records With Drug Prices Under Fire - Bloomberg
Pharma Lobby Nears Spending Records With Drug Prices Under Fire - Bloomberg: Large drug makers and the industry’s primary trade group neared previous spending records on lobbying in the first three months of the year as President Donald Trump and Congress increased pressure to rein in the cost of medicine.
Families say unnecessary root canals infected kids with bacterium
Families say unnecessary root canals infected kids with bacterium: Another lawsuit has been filed against Dentistry for Children, accused of infecting 23 children with a dangerous bacterium four years ago.
Breast Milk Has Biggest Benefit for Preemies' Brains: Study
Breast Milk Has Biggest Benefit for Preemies' Brains: Study: Another reason breast is best: Breast milk boosts levels of chemicals crucial for brain growth and development in premature babies with a very low birth weight, a new study reveals.
For Kids, Obesity and Mental Health Woes Often Go Hand-in-Hand
For Kids, Obesity and Mental Health Woes Often Go Hand-in-Hand: Starting at age 7, kids can get stuck in a vicious cycle of obesity and emotional problems that is hard to escape, British researchers say.
Grady clinic could be model for Georgia Medicaid waiver
Grady clinic could be model for Georgia Medicaid waiver: Grady’s Chronic Care Clinic could provide a way to bring more federal health care dollars into Georgia through a Medicaid waiver.
Friday, April 26, 2019
Better Food Assistance Programs Might Lower Childhood Obesity Rates
Better Food Assistance Programs Might Lower Childhood Obesity Rates: Changes made to improve nutrition in a U.S. government food assistance program seem to have triggered a drop in obesity rates among young, poor children, a new study finds.
1 in 9 U.S. Women Drink During Pregnancy, and Numbers Are Rising
1 in 9 U.S. Women Drink During Pregnancy, and Numbers Are Rising: Even though the harms to babies are well known, one in nine pregnant women in the United States drinks alcohol, new research shows.
Three new measles cases in Georgia part of spike nationwide
Three new measles cases in Georgia part of spike nationwide: Already this year, 695 people have fallen ill in 22 states, according to the Centers Disease Control and Prevention.
US measles cases hit highest mark in 25 years
US measles cases hit highest mark in 25 years: NEW YORK (AP) — Measles in the U.S. has climbed to its highest level in 25 years, closing in on 700 cases this year in a resurgence largely attributed to misinformation that is turning parents...
Humana, Doctor on Demand launch virtual primary care health plan | FierceHealthcare
Humana, Doctor on Demand launch virtual primary care health plan | FierceHealthcare: Humana is teaming up with telehealth company Doctor on Demand to launch a virtual primary care health plan, called On Hand, that gives patients access to preventive care, urgent care, and behavioral health through video visits with lower monthly premiums.
Verma: Trump administration mulling mandatory payment models | FierceHealthcare
Verma: Trump administration mulling mandatory payment models | FierceHealthcare: Seema Verma said Thursday that while the Trump administration has focused on voluntary payment models to date, that is likely to change.
Medicaid, CHIP enrollment for kids dropped by 861,000 in 2018
Medicaid, CHIP enrollment for kids dropped by 861,000 in 2018: The CMS and outside Medicaid experts disagree over whether enrollment dropped due to an improving economy or other factors.
Thursday, April 25, 2019
Cancer group launches $4.5M campaign to boost Medicaid expansion - POLITICO
Cancer group launches $4.5M campaign to boost Medicaid expansion - POLITICO: The American Cancer Society's campaign, the group's most expensive ever, is targeting states where 1.2 million poor adults could gain coverage.
Many E-Cigs Loaded With Germs, Study Finds
Many E-Cigs Loaded With Germs, Study Finds: You might need to worry about inhaling more than just nicotine when you vape: New research warns that many electronic cigarettes appear to be contaminated with fungi and bacteria.
E. Coli Outbreak Tied to Ground Beef Expands to 10 States
E. Coli Outbreak Tied to Ground Beef Expands to 10 States: Cases appear to be concentrated in Kentucky (65 cases), Tennessee (41) and Georgia (33).
Humana announces virtual primary-care plan
Humana announces virtual primary-care plan: Humana and telehealth company Doctor on Demand are launching a new health plan design centered on delivering virtual primary care.
Wednesday, April 24, 2019
Video Games Don't Hamper Boys' Social Skills, Study Finds
Video Games Don't Hamper Boys' Social Skills, Study Finds: Does playing a lot of video games really jeopardize a boy's ability to make and keep friends?
Physician shortage: The numbers keep climbing, now estimated at 122K by 2032 | FierceHealthcare
Physician shortage: The numbers keep climbing, now estimated at 122K by 2032 | FierceHealthcare: There’s no good news when it comes to predictions of a physician shortage. The estimates continue to climb, as the country will see a shortage of up to nearly 122,000 physicians by 2032, according to a new report from the Association of American Medical Colleges.
Walgreens to increase minimum age for tobacco sales to 21 at its stores | FierceHealthcare
Walgreens to increase minimum age for tobacco sales to 21 at its stores | FierceHealthcare: Pharmacy retail giant Walgreens plans to implement a new minimum age requirement of 21 for its customers seeking to purchase tobacco products in its stores. The new policy will go into effect in September at all of its more than 9,500 stores, the company said in an announcement on Tuesday.
CMS to launch new direct-contracting pay models in 2020
CMS to launch new direct-contracting pay models in 2020: Top HHS officials unveiled sweeping new primary-care pay models to move traditional Medicare reimbursement away from fee for service.
Centene grows Q1 profit as it eyes close of WellCare deal
Centene grows Q1 profit as it eyes close of WellCare deal: Centene Corp. reaped the benefits of its 2018 acquisition of Fidelis Care, grew enrollment in ACA exchanges and participated in new or expanded managed Medicaid contracts.
Feds: Ex-CEO is first drug exec indicted in opioid crisis
Feds: Ex-CEO is first drug exec indicted in opioid crisis: The indictment alleges former Rochester Drug Co-Operative CEO Laurence Doud III ordered subordinates to ignore red flags about certain pharmacy customers to maximize company revenue and his own pay.
Monday, April 22, 2019
Measles Cases in the US Are Almost at Record Numbers
Measles Cases in the US Are Almost at Record Numbers: Measles Cases in the US Are Almost at Record Numbers
Babies Still Dying Due to Unsafe Sleep Practices
Babies Still Dying Due to Unsafe Sleep Practices: The death of a baby is always tragic, but safe sleep practices could have prevented some recent suffocation deaths, new research claims.
Many U.S. Kids Don't Drink Enough Water, and Obesity May Be the Result
Many U.S. Kids Don't Drink Enough Water, and Obesity May Be the Result: On any given day, 1 in 5 American youngsters don't drink any water at all, a new survey shows.
FDA approved ADHD device
FDA approved ADHD device: As diagnosis rates of ADHD among children skyrocket, a new medical device for the treatment of the disorder could soon be hitting the market.
Kaiser Permanente funding gun violence research
Kaiser Permanente funding gun violence research: Kaiser Permanente is investing $2 million toward identifying best practices for clinicians to help prevent injuries and death from guns for up to five research projects
Almost Half of Young Asthma Patients Misuse Inhalers
Almost Half of Young Asthma Patients Misuse Inhalers: Many children with asthma don't use their inhalers properly and don't get a full dose of medicine, researchers report.
Measles outbreak: New York City parents face $1,000 fine for violations of emergency vaccination order - The Washington Post
Measles outbreak: New York City parents face $1,000 fine for violations of emergency vaccination order - The Washington Post: Health officials identified three children who were exposed to the severe respiratory virus but were not yet vaccinated – in violation of the mandatory immunization order in four Brooklyn Zip codes.
Faulty state renewal processes blamed for Medicaid coverage declines
Faulty state renewal processes blamed for Medicaid coverage declines: A Families USA report suggests that onerous Medicaid eligibility redetermination processes are at least as big a threat to poor people's coverage as work requirements.
HHS extends comment period for interoperability rules
HHS extends comment period for interoperability rules: The extension for comments on proposed interoperability rules came the same day HHS began taking comments on the second draft of its Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement.
Friday, April 19, 2019
Teen Girls' Online Sex Experiences Set Up Offline Dangers
Teen Girls' Online Sex Experiences Set Up Offline Dangers: The types of sexual experiences girls have on the internet can help predict the kinds of risk they face offline, including HIV infections, physically violent relationships and sexual assault, new research suggests.
HPV Vaccine Driving Down Cervical Pre-Cancer Rates
HPV Vaccine Driving Down Cervical Pre-Cancer Rates: The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is largely responsible for a decline in precancerous cervical lesions among young women in the United States, a new government report shows.
All but 4 states using value-based payment models: report | FierceHealthcare
All but 4 states using value-based payment models: report | FierceHealthcare: Only Georgia, Mississippi, Indiana and West Virginia have yet to launch an official value-based care model, according to a new study from Change Healthcare.
Liver Illness Strikes Latino Children Like A ‘Silent Tsunami’ | Kaiser Health News
Liver Illness Strikes Latino Children Like A ‘Silent Tsunami’ | Kaiser Health News: Potentially deadly fatty liver disease, linked to overconsumption of sugar in drinks and food, often starts in childhood. The goal: Get children to change their habits.
Thursday, April 18, 2019
GOP legislators slap restrictions on voter-approved Medicaid expansion - CNNPolitics
GOP legislators slap restrictions on voter-approved Medicaid expansion - CNNPolitics: Many residents in three deep-red states rejoiced last fall when voters approved Medicaid expansion, circumventing the objections of their elected representatives.
Egg Allergy? Don't Let That Stop You From Getting Vaccinated
Egg Allergy? Don't Let That Stop You From Getting Vaccinated: Allergies to vaccines are extremely rare and even when they do occur, allergists can safely administer vaccines, Canadian experts report.
U.S. task force finds problems with preemptive lead screenings
U.S. task force finds problems with preemptive lead screenings: The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force updated its recommendations for lead screenings, urging clinicians to use their "best judgment" when they call for the tests.
Wednesday, April 17, 2019
Hot-Car Deaths Hit Record High in 2018
Hot-Car Deaths Hit Record High in 2018: Experts say 51 children died in hot cars in the United States last year -- the highest toll on record.
90 New Cases of Measles Reported in U.S. as Outbreak Continues Record Pace - The New York Times
90 New Cases of Measles Reported in U.S. as Outbreak Continues Record Pace - The New York Times: This year’s outbreak is on course to be the worst since measles was eliminated as an endemic disease in 2000.
Georgia women doctors to take over top posts at national physician organizations | Georgia Health News
Georgia women doctors to take over top posts at national physician organizations | Georgia Health News: Sally Goza’s tenure as president of the pediatricians’ organization will begin in January. She will lead the board of directors and be the chief spokesperson for the AAP, which has 67,000 members.
Tuesday, April 16, 2019
Inactive Lifestyle Begins as Early as Age 7: Study
Inactive Lifestyle Begins as Early as Age 7: Study: Kids can start becoming couch potatoes as early as age 7, a new study reveals.
Many Older Adults Keep Guns Unlocked, Loaded at Home
Many Older Adults Keep Guns Unlocked, Loaded at Home: Many older adults, including those who are mentally impaired, don't lock up their guns and ammo, University of Washington researchers report.
Industry Voices—Nemours Children's CEO calls for CMS to push smarter strategies for children's health | FierceHealthcare
Industry Voices—Nemours Children's CEO calls for CMS to push smarter strategies for children's health | FierceHealthcare: Too often we fail to address the root causes of illness. We are missing the opportunity to provide lifelong health to our children that could ultimately save billions of healthcare dollars and transform the health of the next generation of adults.
One in five physicians use telehealth. Burnout may drive more adoption, survey says | FierceHealthcare
One in five physicians use telehealth. Burnout may drive more adoption, survey says | FierceHealthcare: About one in five physicians currently use telehealth to care for patients up from about 5% in 2015 — and that figure is expected to soar within the next few years, a new survey from telehealth company American Well found. By 2022, more than half of physicians (61%) who are not currently using telehealth indicated they are either very likely or likely to start using telehealth.
Doctors seek effective approaches to persuade parents to vaccinate
Doctors seek effective approaches to persuade parents to vaccinate: Increased concerns among parents over vaccines have highlighted the importance of the approaches physicians use to persuade them to immunize their children.
Monday, April 15, 2019
Why the HPV Vaccine Is More Important Than Ever
Why the HPV Vaccine Is More Important Than Ever: HPV, the human papillomavirus, is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States, with 14 million new cases each year.
Kids' ER Visits for Swallowing Toys, Foreign Objects Have Doubled Since 1990s
Kids' ER Visits for Swallowing Toys, Foreign Objects Have Doubled Since 1990s: About 100 kids a day are rushed to U.S. emergency rooms after accidentally swallowing a toy piece, battery, magnet or other foreign object, according to new research.
Young Athletes Need to Be Sidelined After Bout of Mono
Young Athletes Need to Be Sidelined After Bout of Mono: Young sports buffs recovering from mononucleosis may be itching to return to the game they love. But one expert says the risk of suffering a burst spleen during play means staying on the sideline longer than some would like.
Industry Voices—It’s time to light a fire to stop physician burnout, starting with better EHRs | FierceHealthcare
Industry Voices—It’s time to light a fire to stop physician burnout, starting with better EHRs | FierceHealthcare: An undisputed fact is nearly half of all practicing physicians report feeling burned out. Electronic health record dissatisfaction is one of the biggest drivers.
Lawmakers ask the Trump administration to investigate PBM pricing - STAT
Lawmakers ask the Trump administration to investigate PBM pricing - STAT: Spread pricing is a crucial part of the opaque pharmaceutical pricing system and refers to fees PBMs pay pharmacies and bill back to Medicaid.
Fixing the 'Other' Georgia | Local News | valdostadailytimes.com
Fixing the 'Other' Georgia | Local News | valdostadailytimes.com: ATLANTA – Lawmakers just wrapped up another session where rural Georgia’s economic woes loomed large, with many bills being cast – some more convincingly than others – as a lift
Medicaid panel says give states more power over drug prices
Medicaid panel says give states more power over drug prices: The influential Medicaid policy committee wants to remove a cap on rebates and allow states time to decide whether to cover a new drug.
Thursday, April 11, 2019
Herbals in Pregnancy May Endanger Mom, Baby
Herbals in Pregnancy May Endanger Mom, Baby: During pregnancy, even harmless-sounding "natural" supplements should be avoided, a new research review suggests.
The Blame Game: Everyone And No One Is Raising Insulin Prices | Kaiser Health News
The Blame Game: Everyone And No One Is Raising Insulin Prices | Kaiser Health News: During Wednesday’s House subcommittee hearing on insulin price hikes, drug makers and benefits managers pointed fingers at each other for the last decade’s 300% price increase, frustrating congressional representatives.
Telemedicine visits increase overprescription of antibiotics for children | Health Data Management
Telemedicine visits increase overprescription of antibiotics for children | Health Data Management: Researchers at UPMC Children’s Hospital found that pediatric patients with acute respiratory infections were prescribed antibiotics more often during virtual visits than in-person appointments.
Wednesday, April 10, 2019
Study finds fewer heart disease-related deaths in states with Medicaid expansion | FierceHealthcare
Study finds fewer heart disease-related deaths in states with Medicaid expansion | FierceHealthcare: There are fewer heart disease-related deaths in states that expanded Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act, according to new research.
Tuesday, April 9, 2019
More Evidence HPV Vaccine Cuts Cervical Cancer Rate
More Evidence HPV Vaccine Cuts Cervical Cancer Rate: Scotland is already seeing a payoff for vaccinating adolescent girls for human papillomavirus (HPV).
Suicidal Behavior Nearly Doubles Among U.S. Kids
Suicidal Behavior Nearly Doubles Among U.S. Kids: Suicide attempts and talk about suicide are rising alarmingly among America's kids, with emergency departments seeing a near doubling of cases over less than a decade, a new study reveals.
Federal Judge to hear witness testimony in review of Aetna and CVS merger DOJ approval | TheHill
Federal Judge to hear witness testimony in review of Aetna and CVS merger DOJ approval | TheHill: A federal judge said Friday that he wants to hear from witnesses opposed to a Justice Department ruling that approved a merger between CVS and health care company Aetna.
Telemedicine tied to more antibiotics for kids, study finds
Telemedicine tied to more antibiotics for kids, study finds: Kids with cold symptoms seen via telemedicine visits were far more likely to be prescribed antibiotics than those who went to a doctor's office or clinic, researchers found.
Monday, April 8, 2019
Trump seeks funding for data resource to support pediatric cancer research | Health Data Management
Trump seeks funding for data resource to support pediatric cancer research | Health Data Management: President’s FY 2020 budget requests initial $50 million to jumpstart the 10-year, $500 million effort.
Georgia Legislature's impact on health care 'pretty big'
Georgia Legislature's impact on health care 'pretty big': Georgia lawmakers made a big impact on health care during their 2019 session dealing with insurance coverage, hospital competition and prescriptions.
Majority of Parents Polled Would Support Age Limits for Tackling in Youth Football
Majority of Parents Polled Would Support Age Limits for Tackling in Youth Football: Parents surveyed reported they would support age restrictions for tackling in youth football, similar to limits already in place in soccer and hockey.
AAP and AHA Endorse Suite of Policies to Reduce Kids' Consumption of Sugary Drinks
AAP and AHA Endorse Suite of Policies to Reduce Kids' Consumption of Sugary Drinks: Leading health organizations call for excise taxes and limits on marketing to children, among other measures; cite strong evidence of association between added sugars and increased risk of heart disease and other long-term health problems.
Baby-Led Eating: A Healthier Approach
Baby-Led Eating: A Healthier Approach: With childhood obesity rates soaring, prevention should start at a very early age. One approach gaining in popularity is baby-led weaning.
Georgia Legislature still has plenty on health care table
Georgia Legislature still has plenty on health care table: Georgia's Legislature had a big year for health care, but it still didn't address issues such as surprise billing.
Friday, April 5, 2019
6 states and D.C. sue over changes to school lunch rules - CBS News
6 states and D.C. sue over changes to school lunch rules - CBS News: The government "significantly weakened" nutritional standards for sodium and whole grains, says the lawsuit
Exemptions Surge As Parents And Doctors Do ‘Hail Mary’ Around Vaccine Laws | Kaiser Health News
Exemptions Surge As Parents And Doctors Do ‘Hail Mary’ Around Vaccine Laws | Kaiser Health News: In California, medical exemptions to skip childhood vaccinations are on the rise. The trend underlines how hard it is to get parents to comply with vaccination laws meant to protect public safety when a small but adamant population of families and physicians seems determined to resist.
Departing FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb heads to AEI
Departing FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb heads to AEI: Dr. Scott Gottlieb, who resigned last month from the top post at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, is heading back to the American Enterprise Institute to work on drug pricing.
Thursday, April 4, 2019
Assessing Disease Severity in Obese Children: Is BMI Enough? | Medpage Today
Assessing Disease Severity in Obese Children: Is BMI Enough? | Medpage Today: Body mass index classification may over- or under-estimate health risk in some children, study shows
Even Amid Measles Outbreaks, Oregon Model Offers Easy Vaccine ExemptionsKaiser Health News
Even Amid Measles Outbreaks, Oregon Model Offers Easy Vaccine ExemptionsKaiser Health News: About 95% of parents in Oregon who skip vaccines opt to use the state’s online education tool to print their own exemption certificates.
UnitedHealthcare, AMA unveil more medical codes for social determinants
UnitedHealthcare, AMA unveil more medical codes for social determinants: UnitedHealthcare and the American Medical Association have recommended expanding the ICD-10 family of diagnostic codes to include specific diagnoses related to the social determinants of health.
Georgia General Assembly Legalizes In-State Medical Marijuana Cultivation | 90.1 FM WABE
Georgia General Assembly Legalizes In-State Medical Marijuana Cultivation | 90.1 FM WABE: While the Georgia Legislature made it legal to use medical marijuana products, like low THC oil, back in 2015, Georgians have had no legal way to access it. A compromise on that bill passed both chambers of the Legislature late Tuesday, to applause in the House of Representatives upon final passage. It came through
Senate passes health homes bill for chronically ill kids
Senate passes health homes bill for chronically ill kids: The long-controversial bill backed by children's hospitals has finally passed Congress and will head to the White House for signing.
House panel puts hospitals and specialists on the spot for surprise bills
House panel puts hospitals and specialists on the spot for surprise bills: The first House hearing on surprise medical bills scrutinized providers' roles, and spurred a joint letter from major hospital trade groups and the American Medical Association.
FDA is investigating reports of seizures after vaping - STAT
FDA is investigating reports of seizures after vaping - STAT: “While 35 cases may not seem like much compared to the total number of people using e-cigarettes, we are nonetheless concerned,” FDA leaders said.
Wednesday, April 3, 2019
Federal Fix Needed for Surprise Billing, House Panel Told | Medpage Today
Federal Fix Needed for Surprise Billing, House Panel Told | Medpage Today: Self-insured health plans are exempt from state fixes
Trump's Reversal Delays GOP's Obamacare Replacement to 2021 - Bloomberg
Trump's Reversal Delays GOP's Obamacare Replacement to 2021 - Bloomberg: President Donald Trump said Republicans would wait until after the 2020 election to vote on a replacement for Obamacare, abruptly halting a push he began just last week and guaranteeing that the issue will take center stage in his re-election campaign.
Trump Drug Proposal Relies on Health Care Law He Wants to End
Trump Drug Proposal Relies on Health Care Law He Wants to End
March 29, 2019 – 1:02 p.m. Emily Kopp, CQ
President Donald Trump's support for the wholesale repeal of the 2010 health care law could undermine his own plan on prescription drug prices and his messaging on an important issue ahead of the 2020 election: the climbing cost of medicines.
Less than two weeks before the midterm elections last year, Trump delivered a proposal to rein in the costs of outpatient drugs by pegging them to the lower prices paid by foreign countries.
The policy was endorsed by advocates for lower drug prices and denounced by the powerful lobby for drugmakers, appearing to fulfill a promise Trump made in a speech in the Rose Garden earlier that year to take on the Big Pharma “gravy train.”
Majorities in both parties support the move, according to Kaiser Family Foundation pollingthis month.
One little-noticed aspect of the proposal, dubbed the International Pricing Index Model, is that officials have begun implementing the plan by drawing on the authority granted by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation. The CMMI, also known as the Innovation Center, is a vehicle for testing new payment models to lower health costs and was established by the 2010 law (PL 111-148, PL 111-152).
So by doing away with the law — as Trump endorsed Monday by directing the Justice Department to affirm the ruling of a conservative judge that the entire law is unconstitutional — the White House could undercut its own drug pricing proposal.
“The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation has pushed a number of payment reforms and is at the center of any approach to test new approaches to paying for drugs,” said Nicholas Bagley, an expert in health law at the University of Michigan. “Losing it would circumscribe the administration's ability to tackle the problem.”
Some health care advocates say they would be disappointed if the proposal were nullified.
“As an organization, our focus remains on drug prices set by manufacturers and solutions for Congress, states and the administration to lower prices. The [International Pricing Index Model] is certainly one of those solutions and we’d be disappointed to see it come off the table,” said David Mitchell, the president of Patients for Affordable Drugs, an advocacy group whose campaign arm mounted a $1 million ad campaign in support of the policy.
The reversal could also open up the Trump campaign to criticisms that it has failed to act on a priority that polls show a wide swath of voters care about.
“Drug prices will be a top issue in 2020,” Mitchell said.
Two top polling candidates in the Democratic primary, Sens. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, have both put forward sweeping changes to the pharmaceutical industry.
“If the Supreme Court rules that Obamacare is out, we’ll have a plan that is far better than Obamacare,” Trump told reporters this week. But such a plan does not yet exist.
Neither the White House nor the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which oversees the Innovation Center, replied to questions submitted to them.
An ad campaign by the American Conservative Union has already touted the president’s actions on drug pricing to “end foreign free-loading,” including a Twitter video that has accrued nearly 2 million views. The conservative group opposes the International Pricing Index Model, but backs the president’s actions to strengthen patent protections abroad, an action with uncertain benefits at home.
If the midterms are any guide, Republicans will tout drug pricing plans to deflect from criticism that they have not put forward counterproposals on health care to rival the health care law or Medicare for all coverage expansion plans.
Last year’s unveiling of the White House proposal on drug prices came as congressional Republicans on the campaign trail faced an onslaught of criticism for their health care votes.
Democrats hit Republicans in competitive districts for voting to repeal the ACA without replacement legislation that retained its protections for people with pre-existing health conditions; Republican leaders in Congress have privately acknowledged that their positions on health care may have cost the party control of the House.
During the election, Republican National Committee spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany defended Republican votes on health care on Fox Business in part by citing the International Pricing Index model.
McEnany said that Trump “is taking care of our seniors, taking care of American consumers, and bringing down drug costs.”
Tuesday, April 2, 2019
CMS, states face difficult choices on Medicaid expansion, work requirements
CMS, states face difficult choices on Medicaid expansion, work requirements: Some fear GOP state leaders will reject Medicaid expansion if the courts block them from imposing work requirements.
Why Medicaid and ACA kingpin Centene wants to buy rival WellCare
Why Medicaid and ACA kingpin Centene wants to buy rival WellCare: Buying WellCare would help Centene dramatically boost its position in Medicare Advantage at a time when uncertainty is again surrounding ACA exchanges.
Obamacare, Trump and a lawsuit: How industry is reacting
Obamacare, Trump and a lawsuit: How industry is reacting: Experts don't think the lawsuit to overturn Obamacare will ultimately succeed, but the firestorm has started.
Monday, April 1, 2019
US measles cases at second highest since disease was eliminated in 2000 - CNN
US measles cases at second highest since disease was eliminated in 2000 - CNN: A total of 387 individual cases of measles have been confirmed in 15 states from January 1 to March 28, 2019. This is the second greatest number of cases reported in the US since measles was eliminated in 2000.
Kids Who Specialize in One Sport Too Early Are Likely to Get Hurt: Study
Kids Who Specialize in One Sport Too Early Are Likely to Get Hurt: Study: For young athletes, focusing on only one sport at an early age ups their odds for injury, a new study warns.
Health Officials’ Plug For Next FDA Chief: Go Big On E-Cig Regulation | Kaiser Health News
Health Officials’ Plug For Next FDA Chief: Go Big On E-Cig Regulation | Kaiser Health News: With Scott Gottlieb making his exit from the Food and Drug Administration’s top spot, city and country health officials call for backup in the fight to curb teen use of e-cigarettes.
CMS Ignores Federal Judge Ruling To Approve Medicaid Work Rules in Utah | Kaiser Health News
CMS Ignores Federal Judge Ruling To Approve Medicaid Work Rules in Utah | Kaiser Health News: Work helps make people healthier, CMS chief Seema Verma said in approving Utah’s waiver request to tie government health benefits to employment or volunteer work. But Judge James Boasberg has said that isn’t the goal of Medicaid.
Suicide Risk Grew After Missouri Medicaid Kids Shifted To Managed Care, Hospitals Say | Kaiser Health News
Suicide Risk Grew After Missouri Medicaid Kids Shifted To Managed Care, Hospitals Say | Kaiser Health News: Psychiatric treatment for children in Medicaid managed-care plans in Missouri has declined and suicide risks are up, reveals a study sponsored by the state hospital association.
One senator blocks bill to coordinate care for sickest kids
One senator blocks bill to coordinate care for sickest kids: Despite pressure to pass several Medicaid provisions, one senator prevented the chamber from passing a measure to help states fund integrated health homes for chronically ill children.
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