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The Supreme Court this week rejected the efforts of a Republican-controlled Congress in 2014 to cut off funding to insurance companies below a provision of the Affordable Care Act. In an Eight-1 determination, the excessive court docket dominated that insurers should be paid the roughly $12 billion they’re owed below the regulation’s “risk corridor” program.
Meanwhile, the efforts to handle the COVID-19 well being and financial affect have gotten extra partisan, with Democrats pushing to supply extra funding to states and localities and Republicans urging legal responsibility waivers for employers whose employees get sick after being summoned again to the office.
This week’s panelists are Julie Rovner of Kaiser Health News, Caitlin Owens of Axios and Mary Ellen McIntire of CQ Roll Call.
Among the takeaways from this week’s podcast:
The Supreme Court’s Eight-1 ruling within the ACA “risk corridor” case might counsel that the court docket may overturn different actions taken by Republicans to weaken the ACA, akin to President Donald Trump’s determination to disclaim funds to insurers to assist cowl out-of-pocket prices that the businesses are pressured to cowl for very low-income clients. Still, it could not sign the tip of perceived partisanship on the bench in relation to the ACA. That might be examined in a case the court docket will take up this fall that would overturn the complete regulation. States are starting the lengthy means of restarting their economies, however the variety in efforts factors to the politics that has pervaded the U.S. coronavirus response. Past public well being crises haven’t been laden with such partisanship, which is fostered by the huge financial devastation from coronavirus. Although the president has been hesitant to make use of his powers below the Defense Production Act to compel industries to assist with the coronavirus battle, he shortly moved this week to implement it to power meatpacking crops to remain open or reopen, even after their work crews had been hit arduous by the outbreak. That was largely due to fears of meals shortages and the results they may have on shoppers. The uplifting information that preliminary research counsel an experimental drug — remdesivir — will help battle the coronavirus might have confused shoppers. The drug nonetheless wants extra testing, and even the promising outcomes present solely a small impact in serving to sufferers get better. The House is not going to return to Washington subsequent week due to considerations in regards to the unfold of the coronavirus within the nation’s capital area — however the Senate will. Some Democrats are complaining that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is asking them again to not cope with the pandemic disaster however to push by means of extra judicial nominees. Rumors swirling in regards to the potential ouster of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar signify nonetheless extra proof that the Trump administration’s response to the pandemic is just not properly organized. Trump officers are caught between attempting to not anger the boss and coping with officers in different businesses who might not play properly collectively.
Also this week, Rovner interviews KHN’s Carmen Heredia Rodriguez, who reported the newest KHN-NPR “Bill of the Month” installment a few affected person who obtained what ought to have been a free COVID-19 take a look at and ended up with a hefty invoice. If you may have an outrageous medical invoice to share with us, you are able to do that here.
Plus, for further credit score, the panelists suggest their favourite well being coverage tales of the week they assume you must learn too:
Julie Rovner: NPR’s “What Would It Take to Bring More Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Back to the U.S.?” by Sydney Lupkin
Caitlin Owens: Axios’ “Why the Coronavirus Feels So Risky,” by Bryan Walsh
Mary Ellen McIntire: CQ Roll Call’s “Amazon Workers Tally Virus Cases, Voice Alarm About Risks,” by Emily Kopp
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