Many drugmakers have introduced value will increase with the beginning of the brand new 12 months. The new Congress desires to do one thing about that. And despite the fact that each Republicans and Democrats need to tackle the politically potent problem of drug costs, it’s unclear what they may have the ability to agree on.
Battle traces are forming between the House and Senate on the matter of abortion. The House is led by abortion-rights supporters and, for the reason that election, the Senate has grow to be barely extra towards abortion.
And despite the fact that the vast majority of the Department of Health and Human Services stays unaffected by the partial authorities shutdown, the lapse of funding for different businesses is having spillover results on well being applications.
This week’s panelists for KHN’s “What the Health?” are Julie Rovner of Kaiser Health News, Joanne Kenen of Politico, Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times and Alice Ollstein of Politico.
Among the takeaways from this week’s podcast:
The largest battle amongst Republicans and Democrats on the drug problem facilities on the GOP’s reluctance to provide the federal government a job in immediately negotiating costs. Adding to the stress is the clear indication that the difficulty will probably be entrance and middle within the 2020 marketing campaign. Some states, akin to California, need to discover methods to deliver down drug prices on their very own. California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, has proposed that the state have direct negotiations with drugmakers. Such efforts may imply chopping off shoppers’ entry to some medicine, if producers don’t comply with a value the state likes, and that could be a painful selection for officers and sufferers. When House committee assignments had been launched this week, girls had been appointed to guide most of the key panels which have a hand in well being coverage, together with the chairman and high Republican on the Appropriations Committee and two Energy and Commerce subcommittees. The House Democratic Caucus now has extra liberal members and fewer conservatives, so the celebration’s efforts to roll again restrictions on abortion are more likely to be extra strong. That may additionally set off some massive battles with Republicans by way of the legislative session. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is placing a invoice on the Senate flooring that may make everlasting the Hyde Amendment — which bars federal funding of abortions in almost all circumstances. But it appears unlikely that invoice may very well be handed by the Senate, the place it wants 60 votes, and even some Republicans are believed to oppose it.
Plus, for further credit score, the panelists advocate their favourite well being coverage tales of the week they suppose it’s best to learn too:
Julie Rovner: Bloomberg News’ “This JPMorgan Health Conference Is So Packed Attendees Are Meeting in the Bathroom,” by Kristen V Brown
Joanne Kenen: The New York Times’ “The Strange Marketplace for Diabetes Test Strips,” by Ted Alcorn
Margot Sanger-Katz: Kaiser Health News’ “Patients Turn To GoFundMe When Money And Hope Run Out,” by Mark Zdechlik
Alice Ollstein: The Washington Post’s “Federal Officials Launch Audit of D.C. Government’s Opioid Grant Spending,” by Peter Jamison
