Weekly News Roundup for Dec 19, 2022

Breaking News in Healthcare Reform

Snippets of news & commentary with a special focus on

health policy, Medicare for All & California

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“The issues surrounding Relyvrio’s price highlight industry practices that have long been blamed for driving up U.S. health costs: drugmakers can patent new combinations of old ingredients and then charge whatever price the market will bear….”

ALS Patients Contend with $158k Price Tag on New Drug

Associated Press | Matthew Perrone | December 18, 2022

“The rule proposes clarifications and revisions … to ensure Medicare Advantage enrollees receive the same access to medically necessary care they would receive in Traditional Medicare…. The rule also proposes policies to streamline prior authorization requirements….”

CMS Proposes Rule That Would Impact Drug Coverage, Prior Authorization

Healthcare Innovation | David Raths | December 15, 2022

“In a 40-page opinion, U.S. District Court Judge Loretta C. Biggs… also ruled that the exclusion violates a variety of U.S. laws preventing discrimination based on sex or gender identity.”

Insurance Ban on Gender-Affirming Care Struck Down by Federal Court

MetroWeekly | Justin Walton | December 14, 2022

“National health spending grew almost 3% in 2021, reaching $4.3 trillion as big increases in healthcare use and insurance coverage were offset by lower government spending on COVID-19.”

National Health Spending Reached $4.3 Trillion in 2021

Healthcare Dive | Rebecca Pifer | December 14, 2022

“The rule, proposed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, would ban ads that market Medicare Advantage plans with confusing words, imagery or logos. The new regulation would also prohibit ads that don’t specifically mention a health insurance plan by name.”

Biden Administration Proposes Crackdown on Scam Medicare Ads

Associated Press | Amanda Seitz | December 14, 2022

“What we are facing in 2022 is the destruction of Medicare by corporate privatization, supported by many top labor unions and their compromised ‘allies’ in Washington.”

Labor Leaders Provide Cover for Privatization of Medicare

CounterPunch | Ed Grystar | December 13, 2022

“We’re going to take on the pharmaceutical industry, we’re going to take on the insurance industry, and try to end the situation where we are the only major country on earth that doesn’t guarantee health care to all people.”

Sanders Vows to Vote Against $858B Defense Bill, Calls for Medicare for All

Truthout | Sharon Zhang | December 12, 2022

“…even after the full expansion occurs in January of 2024, to include undocumented farmworkers between 26 and 49 years old, advocates and researchers warn that there will still be a big gap due to income eligibility.”

Ill Harvest: Falling Through the Cracks

Capital & Main | Pilar Marrero | December 12, 2022

“More than 20 progressive lawmakers are raising concerns about ACO REACH … arguing the model gives insurers with a history of defrauding Medicare another toehold in the program and asking regulators to eject those entities from the alternative payment model.”