Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
AbbVie On Hot Seat Over Price Hikes
The Hill: Lawmakers Press AbbVie CEO On Increased US Prices Of Two Drugs
A group of mostly Democratic House lawmakers pressed drugmaker AbbVie’s CEO on Tuesday over the increased prices of anti-inflammatory drug Humira and cancer drug Imbruvica in the U.S. in the years since they first became available. AbbVie's Richard Gonzalez faced tough questions from the Oversight and Reform Committee, with Democrats accusing the company of taking advantage of patients and the health care system to charge more for medicine and bring in billions of dollars for revenue and executive bonuses. (Coleman, 5/18)
Stat: Democrats Call On FTC To Investigate AbbVie’s Humira Pricing Strategy
Three powerful Democrats wrote to the Federal Trade Commission Tuesday urging them to investigate whether drug maker AbbVie violated the law in trying to keep cheaper versions of its blockbuster drug Humira off the market. The surprise announcement came in the first minutes of a Tuesday hearing held by the House Oversight Committee investigating the company’s pricing practices. AbbVie’s CEO Richard Gonzalez is testifying. (Florko, 5/18)
The Washington Post: House Passes Bill To Combat Hate Crimes Against Asian Americans
The House on Tuesday passed legislation to aggressively investigate hate crimes, especially those targeting Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, that have increased during the coronavirus pandemic. The vote was 364 to 62; all the votes in opposition came from Republicans. The legislation heads to President Biden for his signature. Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) introduced the Covid-19 Hate Crimes Act in March after attacks against Asian Americans increased after the coronavirus emerged in China. Just five days after Hirono introduced the legislation, eight people were killed — including six women of Asian descent — in a mass shooting at three Atlanta-area spas. (Scott, 5/18)
Politico: House Republicans Stage Rebellion Over Mask Rules
A group of House Republicans revolted over their chamber's mask rules on Tuesday, the latest sign of tensions boiling over as Congress wrestles with how and when to return to pre-pandemic routines. Around a dozen Republicans refused to wear masks during the evening vote series and strategically stood at the well of the chamber, which appears on the C-SPAN cameras, and seemed to encourage other members to join in. (Zanona, 5/18)
