Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
AMA's Endorsement Of Price Exposes Deep Political Factions Dividing Doctors
Stat: AMA Endorsement Of Trump Health Secretary Spurs Backlash
When Donald Trump this week tapped a surgeon-turned-congressman to run the Department of Health and Human Services, the nation’s largest physicians group swiftly endorsed the choice. The blowback started almost at once. Liberal doctors peppered the American Medical Association with furious tweets decrying the group’s endorsement of Representative Tom Price as a betrayal of patients and physicians. And by Wednesday night, 500 doctors had signed an online open letter titled “The AMA Does Not Speak For Us” started by the Clinician Action Network, a left-leaning advocacy group. (Robbins, 12/1)
In other news on the nominee to lead HHS —
McClatchy: Trump's HHS Secretary Could Take Away Free Birth Control Coverage
Donald Trump's choice to lead the Department of Health and Human Services would be able to repeal one of President Barack Obama's most controversial initiatives: free birth control for women under the Affordable Care Act. If confirmed, Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga., a legislator with a 100 percent anti-abortion voting record, would be able to revoke the contraceptive measure, which is deeply unpopular with abortion foes, without engaging Congress. Price, who like the president-elect has championed repealing the Affordable Care Act, would not have to wait for the overall law to be targeted by Congress because the contraceptive measure exists due to a rule enacted by the Obama administration. (Clark, 11/30)
The Fiscal Times: 8 Big Changes Under Tom Price’s Obamacare Replacement Plan
The legislation Price is offering as a replacement to Obamacare is called the Empowering Patients First Act and is reflective of his long-standing concern that government has interfered with the traditional doctor-patient relationship. The latest iteration of his legislation would try to wean 20 million Americans off of Obamacare with a handful of tax credits, savings incentives, state grants and other marketing incentives to encourage competition within the insurance industry. (Pianin, 11/30)
WBUR: A Look At Potential Changes In Medicaid And Medicare Under President Trump
As President-elect Donald Trump finalizes his cabinet picks, we are taking a look at how each of those officials could shape policy and what changes we might see ahead. Today, we focus on Medicaid and Medicare. Trump said he would nominate Georgia Congressman Tom Price as secretary of health and human services. Price has introduced bills to replace the Affordable Care Act. Trump has also selected Seema Verma to serve as administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Verma helped design Indiana's Medicaid expansion and consulted for several other states. (McNerney and Chakrabarti, 11/30)
And a look at the history of Vice President-elect Mike Pence's stance on conversion therapy —
The New York Times: Mike Pence And ‘Conversion Therapy’: A History
Since Gov. Mike Pence was chosen as Donald J. Trump’s running mate in July, he has faced complaints from groups critical of his record on gay and transgender rights, who said he has long been an opponent of the gains made by the L.G.B.T. community in recent years. Mr. Pence has been particularly dogged by accusations that he is a supporter of “conversion therapy,” the practice of trying to change someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity. (Stack, 11/30)
