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How will the impeachment effort on Capitol Hill have an effect on work on different laws, notably payments to restrain the price of prescribed drugs and shock medical payments? And will Congress and President Donald Trump be capable of agree on the spending payments wanted to maintain the federal authorities open for enterprise?
Meanwhile, the annual survey of employer medical insurance from the Kaiser Family Foundation discovered the price of insurance coverage continues to climb for each employers and employees, with the typical premium for a household plan now topping $20,000. Workers are actually anticipated to pay greater than $6,000 of that quantity, and common deductibles are greater than $1,600. (KHN is an editorially unbiased program of the inspiration.)
This week’s panelists are Julie Rovner of Kaiser Health News, Joanne Kenen of Politico, Paige Winfield Cunningham of The Washington Post and Rebecca Adams of CQ Roll Call.
Among the takeaways from this week’s podcast:
The congressional investigation of Trump is more likely to arrange a significant roadblock for giant legislative initiatives, together with efforts reminiscent of curbing drug costs or ending shock medical payments that plague customers. It’s doable that small measures might be forthcoming on the finish of the 12 months, however a lot will depend upon the impeachment inquiry. Congress can be at an deadlock on a invoice to fund federal businesses. The federal finances expires Monday. A seamless decision to maintain the federal government working will expire in November, organising a finances struggle simply earlier than Thanksgiving. The White House is signaling that Trump quickly might unveil his plan for revamping components of the nation’s well being care. It may embody efforts to bolster Medicare Advantage plans and maybe some restricted measures on the importation of prescribed drugs. But it doesn’t seem that the administration has a plan on dealing with well being care if a federal appeals court docket accepts its argument to throw out the Affordable Care Act. The annual Kaiser Family Foundation survey of employer medical insurance highlights how protection is turning into unaffordable for a lot of modest-income households. Sen. Bernie Sanders’ new plan to get rid of customers’ medical debt could also be extra sophisticated to implement than the Democratic presidential candidate suggests. The Democratic presidential candidates have spent a lot time speaking about their curiosity in getting all residents insured. But they’ve few proposals on tips on how to deliver down the price of care.
Plus, for additional credit score, the panelists advocate their favourite well being coverage tales of the week they assume you must learn too:
Julie Rovner: NPR’s “Air Ambulances Woo Rural Consumers With Memberships That May Leave Them Hanging,” by Sarah Jane Tribble
Joanne Kenen: The New Yorker’s “Paging Dr. Robot,” by D.T. Max
Paige Winfield Cunningham: KHN’s “It’s Not Just Insulin: Diabetes Patients Struggle To Get Crucial Supplies,” by Bram Sable-Smith
Rebecca Adams: KHN’s “Want To Reduce Suicides? Follow The Data ― To Medical Offices, Motels And Even Animal Shelters,” by Maureen O’Hagan
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