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A federal judge in Texas has returned the first challenge to the nascent Medicare prescription drug negotiation program. But the case has turned into a technicality, leaving the drug company with more lawsuits.
Meanwhile, Congress faces yet another funding deadline, and doctors hope the next funding bill will reverse Medicare pay cuts that went into effect in January.
This week's panelists are Julie Rovner of KFF Health News, Alice Miranda Olstein of Politico, Rachel Coles of Stat, and Lauren Weber of The Washington Post.
Here are our takeaways from this week's episode.
- Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.), chairwoman of the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee, announced she would retire at the end of the legislative session, leaving the committee with significant oversight of Medicare, Medicaid and health insurance. The competition for the chairmanship of the committee has begun. and the U.S. Public Health Service. McMorris Rodgers is one of several Republicans with significant health expertise to announce her resignation.
- As the deadline approaches for Congress' next spending bill, hospital lobbyists are working hard to block the addition of Medicare provisions for “site-neutral” payments.
- In abortion news, anti-abortion groups are joining calls for states to provide a more detailed outline of when life and health exceptions to abortion bans are legally permissible.
- Senate Finance Chairman Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) has accused the Federal Trade Commission and Securities and Exchange Commission of collecting patient location data at 600 family planning facilities and selling it to anti-abortion groups. They are requesting an investigation into the company.
- And in Health Misinformation of the Week: wyoming and montana A bill has been floated that would prevent people from receiving blood transfusions from donors who have been vaccinated against COVID-19.
Plus, for “extra credit,” our panelists will suggest health policy articles they read this week that they think you should read, too.
Julie Rovner: Stateline's “Government Can Erase Medical Debt with Pennies on the Dollar – And Some People Do,” by Anna Claire Vollers.
Alice Miranda Olstein: “'There was a lot of anxiety': Florida's immigration crackdown is causing patients to skip medical treatment,” by Politico's Alec Sarkisian.
Rachel Coles: “FTC doubles down on Wales-Carson anesthesia case to restrict private equity doctor buyouts,” by Bob Herman, Stat. and Modern Healthcare's “Private Equity Medicare Advantage Investment Downturn: Report” by Nona Tepper.
Lauren Weber: “Climate change is hurting home insurance. Is health insurance next?” by Yusuf Khan, Wall Street Journal.
Also mentioned in this week's podcast:
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