|
|
|
The GOP is shifting ground on ObamaCare repeal amid shrinking hopes of winning the White House next year.
Maryland State Rep. Kathy Szeliga, who’s running a long-shot bid against Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) this fall, said Friday that it is “not practical” to try to repeal the law more than six years after its passage.
“Only people trying to raise money on this issue talk about repealing it,” she said Friday during a radio debate hosted by the D.C.-area radio station WAMU.
“Physicians and insurance companies have said repealing it at this point — we’ve spent billions and billions of dollars on this — is not practical and the numbers don’t exist in the Congress to do that.”
Szeliga, who is also the Maryland House’s minority whip, appears to be the first Republican candidate to reject the idea of repealing the healthcare law next year. Instead, she says Congress needs to “reform it.”
Her comments reflect an argument made by the administration, with President Obama defending the law last year as “part of the fabric of how we care for one another.” https://bit.ly/2dVtUV4 |
|
|
|
|
White House won’t give up on ‘Cadillac’ tax
One of President Obama’s chief economists made clear Tuesday that he’s not giving up on the so-called “Cadillac” tax even as both candidates for president this year vow to repeal it permanently.
Matt Fiedler, the chief economist for the Council of Economic Advisers, made the case during a panel hosted by the Mercatus Center centered on controlling healthcare costs.
“There are certainly ways the excise tax could be improved,” Fiedler said. “But I think it’s really important that policymakers find some way for the excise tax to take effect in some form.”
Democrats in Congress broke with Obama last year when they pushed back the 40 percent tax on high-cost health plans until 2018, two years after its initial start date.
Fiedler urged Congress to support Obama’s most recent proposals to tweak the policy, such as adjusting the tax for regions with steeper health prices. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SPONSORED CONTENT |
|
|
A message from UnitedHealth Group: |
|
Built for Better Health means offering solutions to create a modern, high-performing, simpler health care system. https://www.unitedhealthgroup.com |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DeLauro unveils sweeping new drug pricing bill
Rep. Rose DeLauro (D-Conn.) is introducing a new measure to fight back against rising drug prices, an issue that has faced a growing uproar.
The bill from DeLauro would create a new intergovernmental Price Review Board, which would have the power to impose penalties on drug companies that it determines “price gouge” consumers.
The measure, while unlikely to move forward anytime soon due to Republican opposition, is part of a growing movement to do something about rising drug prices.
DeLauro’s office cites the attention on the more than 400 percent price hike on EpiPens in recent years, an issue that drew concern from both sides of the aisle.
The review board in DeLauro’s bill would have the power to take steps, including shortening monopolies or imposing fines on companies that it deems to have price gouged. Read more here. https://bit.ly/2dZsl5I |
|
|
|
|
The ‘breaking point’ for rising drug costs?
States could dramatically scale back their Medicaid benefits in the near future as they look to curb the costs of prescription drugs.
Health officials are eying changes to their Medicaid programs, such as “preferred drug lists” or prior authorization, which would be unwelcome changes to many enrollees. https://bit.ly/2d5HGoD |
|
|
|
|
ON TAP TOMORROW:
Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) will hold a press conference in New Haven to announce a new bill intended to rein in the costs of prescription drugs and medical devices at 10:30 a.m. |
|
|
|
|
WHAT WE’RE READING:
Small towns with higher rates of suicide, addiction and diseases like HIV/AIDS don’t think Trump will save them. (STAT)
Coastal communities in Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas are at a greater risk for spreading the Zika virus in the wake of Hurricane Matthew. (McClatchy)
One of the biggest financial backers of Theranos Inc. has sued the company for allegedly lying to attract its nearly $100 million investment. (Wall Street Journal)
Premium increases pose a particular problem for ObamaCare enrollees who are not eligible for subsidies. (Vox) |
|
|
|
|
IN THE STATES:
Many Republican-led states are asking the Obama administration to approve the same Medicaid expansion plans that have been repeatedly rejected by federal health officials. (Governing)
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and his challenger, Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (D-Ariz.) sparred over ObamaCare in a debate. (Arizona Daily Sun)
California is looking to marriage therapists to fill a need for mental health care. (Kaiser Health News)
Nine in 10 people in Oregon who are addicted to opioids aren’t receiving treatment, according to a study by Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden’s office. (KOIN Local News) |
|
|
|
|
ICYMI FROM THE HILL DOT COM:
Trump runs ad with footage of Clinton’s stumble from 9/11 event https://bit.ly/2dJ8DfK |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|