The Host

Former president and present 2024 Republican front-runner Donald Trump is aiming to place a repeal of the Inexpensive Care Act again on the political agenda, a lot to the delight of Democrats, who level to the well being legislation’s rising recognition.

In the meantime, in Texas, the all-Republican state Supreme Courtroom this week took up a lawsuit filed by greater than two dozen girls who stated their lives had been endangered once they skilled being pregnant issues as a result of imprecise wording of the state’s near-total abortion ban.

This week’s panelists are Julie Rovner of KFF Well being Information, Joanne Kenen of Johns Hopkins College and Politico Journal, Victoria Knight of Axios, and Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet.

Among the many takeaways from this week’s episode:

• The FDA not too long ago permitted one other promising weight reduction drug, providing another choice to satisfy the large demand for such medication that promise notable well being advantages. However Medicare and personal insurers stay cautious of paying the tab for these very costly medication.
• Talking of pricy medication, the courts are weighing in on using so-called copay accumulators provided by drug firms and others to scale back the price of dear prescription drugs for sufferers. The most recent ruling referred to as the federal authorities’s guidelines on the topic inconsistent and tied using copay accumulators to the supply of cheaper, generic alternate options.
• Congress will revisit authorities spending in January, however that isn’t quickly sufficient to deal with the end-of-the-year coverage modifications for some well being applications, similar to pending cuts to Medicare funds for docs.
• “This Week in Medical Misinformation” highlights a information by the employees of Stat to assist lay folks decipher whether or not medical research outcomes actually signify a “breakthrough” or not.

Additionally this week, Rovner interviews KFF Well being Information’ Rachana Pradhan, who reported and wrote the newest “Invoice of the Month” function, a couple of lady who visited a hospital lab for fundamental prenatal exams and ended up owing nearly $2,400. When you have an outrageous or baffling medical invoice you’d wish to share with us, you are able to do that right here.

Plus, for “further credit score,” the panelists recommend well being coverage tales they learn this week that they assume it is best to learn, too:

Julie Rovner: KFF Well being Information’ “Medicaid ‘Unwinding’ Makes Different Public Help Tougher to Get,” by Katheryn Houghton, Rachana Pradhan, and Samantha Liss.

Joanne Kenen: KFF Well being Information’ “She As soon as Suggested the President on Getting old Points. Now, She’s Battling Severe Incapacity and Despair,” by Judith Graham.  

Victoria Knight: Enterprise Insider’s “Washington’s Secret Weapon Is a Beloved Gen Z Vitality Drink With Extra Caffeine Than God,” by Lauren Vespoli.

Sarah Karlin-Smith: ProPublica’s “Insurance coverage Executives Refused to Pay for the Most cancers Remedy That May Have Saved Him. This Is How They Did It,” by Maya Miller and Robin Fields.

Additionally talked about on this week’s episode:

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