Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, a presidential candidate, unveiled the 2019 model of his “Medicare-for-all” invoice this week. But much more than twenty years after first proposing a single-payer plan for the U.S., Sanders nonetheless has not proposed a method to finance such a significant enterprise.
Congress continued to pursue its examination of excessive prescription drug costs this week by calling to testify each insulin makers and the drug “middlemen” referred to as pharmacy profit managers.
And Idaho is following Utah in making an attempt to cut back an growth of Medicaid underneath the Affordable Care Act authorised by voters final November.
This week’s panelists are Julie Rovner of Kaiser Health News, Sarah Kliff of Vox.com, Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times and Paige Winfield Cunningham of The Washington Post.
Also, Rovner interviews Ceci Connolly, president and CEO of the Alliance of Community Health Plans.
Among the takeaways from this week’s podcast:
“Medicare-for-all” was within the highlight once more this week with the discharge of Sanders’ invoice, which is co-sponsored by 4 of the 5 different Senate Democrats working for president. Still, neither Sanders nor every other candidates — or their proposals — deal with how one can pay for it. Experts differ on how a lot increasing Medicare would price. But, whether or not it’s shifting round cash already being spent or elevating new taxes, increasing Medicare to extra individuals would end in winners and losers, a key political issue going ahead. Both events face inside divisions over well being care, revolving round whether or not to create one thing new or stick to the established order. Within the GOP, the break up is between Republicans who level to years of unsuccessful efforts to repeal and possibly change the ACA and need to transfer on to different issues, and others — together with some within the White House — who’re persevering with the push. Democrats’ division is between those that again House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s name to strengthen and enhance the ACA and those that again varied efforts to create a Medicare-for-all system. The GOP is enjoying each offense and protection on the ACA. Leaders say they need to be the celebration of well being care and shield individuals with preexisting medical situations, even because the Justice Department is formally backing a courtroom ruling in Texas that may invalidate your complete legislation, together with these protections. There was a lot of discuss however little motion on drug costs at hearings earlier than Congress. Lawmakers heard from drug firms and pharmacy profit managers, however aren’t any nearer to answering the query about what to do about excessive drug costs. While there could also be incremental adjustments that may be adopted, few count on laws that may essentially change enterprise practices, mental property rights or the power for Medicare to barter drug costs. Action within the Utah and Idaho legislatures round Medicaid growth present that even profitable poll initiatives to increase this system will be modified by lawmakers in methods voters might not have anticipated. In each state capitols, elected officers diminished the variety of individuals eligible for growth beneath what voters authorised.
Plus, for additional credit score, the panelists advocate their favourite well being coverage tales of the week they suppose it’s best to learn too:
Julie Rovner: The New York Times’ “Would ‘Medicare for All’ Save Billions or Cost Billions?” By Josh Katz, Kevin Quealy and Margot Sanger-Katz
Sarah Kliff: Politico’s “Public Option Hits a Wall in Blue States,” by Rachana Pradhan and Dan Goldberg
Margot Sanger-Katz: Politico’s “Obamacare Fight Obscures America’s Real Health Care Crisis: Money,” by Joanne Kenen
Paige Winfield Cunningham: STAT News’ “Amazon Alexa Is Now HIPAA-Compliant. Tech Giant Says Health Data Can Now Be Accessed Securely,” by Casey Ross
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