Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Bernie Sanders Is Hopping On A Bus Trip To Canada With Patients Seeking To Buy Cheaper Insulin
The Hill: Sanders To Join Diabetes Patients On Trip To Canada To Buy Cheaper Insulin
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) announced Thursday he will accompany patients with diabetes on a bus trip to Canada to buy insulin that's available at cheaper prices than in the U.S. The move comes as Sanders seeks to burnish his progressive bona fides as he vows to lower drug costs if elected president. He will make the trip with members of Insulin4All on July 28. (Axelrod, 7/11)
CNN: Bernie Sanders To Join People With Type 1 Diabetes On Canada Trip For Cheaper Insulin
The trip, which will leave from Detroit, is scheduled for two days before CNN's presidential primary debates in the city on July 30 and 31. Sanders has so far set the pace for the 2020 health care debate, with the other candidates either signing on to his "Medicare for All" single payer plan or talking about how their vision differs. And throughout much of his political career, Sanders has targeted pharmaceutical companies over the cost of prescription drugs. He often lists the industry among the powerful few whose interests are at odds with the American public, alongside Wall Street and the wider health care system. (Grayer and Nobles, 7/11)
Meanwhile, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand has released a new drug plan —
The Hill: Gillibrand Unveils Plan To Lower Drug Prices
Presidential candidate Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) on Thursday unveiled a plan to lower drug prices and increase scrutiny of pharmaceutical companies. Gillibrand said in a campaign statement that she would work to penalize and prosecute pharmaceutical companies when necessary, allow safe importation and negotiation of drug prices and create the position of "pharmaceutical czar" to lead audits of the industry's business practices. (Frazin, 7/11)
