Weekly News Roundup for Mar 4, 2024

 

Breaking News in Healthcare Reform

 

Snippets of news & commentary with a special focus on
health policy, Medicare for All & California

 

 

Like Weekly News Roundup? Then you’ll love our popular podcast Code WACK! where we shine a light on the outrageous hassles patients face when dealing with America’s callous healthcare system. Subscribe below!

 
 
“A federal appeals court was scheduled to hear arguments Monday on whether former President Barack Obama’s signature health care law requires full insurance coverage of certain types of preventive care … A federal judge in Texas said last year that it doesn’t.”

Latest Attempt to Chip Away at ‘Obamacare’ Questions Preventive Health Care

The Hill | Kevin McGill, AP | March 4, 2024

 

“A new KFF tracking poll shows that health care tops the list of basic expenses Americans worry about — more than gas, food, and rent.”

America Worries About Health Costs — And Voters Want to Hear from Biden and Republicans

CBS News | Julie Appleby, Phil Galewitz | March 2, 2024

 

“…our system is so dysfunctional that when people get sick and they can’t afford all their medical bills, even with insurance, it ends up affecting every aspect of their financial lives….”

Why a Financial Regulator Is Going After Health Care Debt

NPR | Noam Levey | March 1, 2024

 

“It’s comparable to something like a natural disaster or war.”

It’s Now Significantly More Deadly to Be Homeless. Why Are So Many People Dying?

CalMatters | Marisa Kendall | February 29, 2024

 

“The drug law is already helping reduce the burden of high upfront out-of-pocket prescription drug costs for seniors and people with disabilities with Medicare….”

Biden-Harris Administration Issues Final Guidance to Help People with Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage Manage Prescription Drug Costs

CMS | Press Release | February 29, 2024

 

“There is a growing sense … that insurers have figured out how to game this system.”

Five Medicare Advantage Fixes We Can All Get Behind (Except the Health Insurance Industry, Of Course)

HEALTH CARE un-covered | Wendell Potter | February 29, 2024

 

“Several clinics in the state announced they were pausing IVF services as they sort out last week’s ruling, which said that frozen embryos can be considered children under state law.”

Republicans Block Senate Bill to Protect Nationwide Access to IVF Treatments

Associated Press | Mary Clare Jalonick, Stephen Groves | February 28, 2024

 

“Regulators are looking into the massive healthcare conglomerate’s potential anticompetitive effects, including the relationship between its health insurer UnitedHealthcare and physician network Optum..”

Unitedhealth Under Antitrust Investigation by DoJ: Reports

Healthcare Dive | Rebecca Pifer | February 28, 2024

 

“Need a sick note from the doctor? Or have them OK a refill? It might cost you.”

The Doctor Will Fee You Now

Axios | Tina Reed | February 26, 2024

 

For more health policy, check out our mini-podcast Code WACK!

Featuring Tony Chicotel, senior staff attorney
 California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform


This is the first episode of a two episode series:

‘A Race to the Bottom?’ How U.S. Nursing Homes Are Failing Us



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