Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Bernie Sanders Wants To Impose Prison Sentences On Pharma Executives Who Play Role In Opioid Crisis
Stat: Bernie Sanders Bill Would Impose Jail Time For Execs Behind Opioid Crisis
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) will introduce a bill Tuesday that would impose jail time for pharmaceutical executives whose companies engage in manipulative practices when marketing opioids. The legislation would impose a 10-year minimum prison sentence and fines equal to an executive’s compensation package if the individual’s company is found to have illegally contributed to the opioid crisis. It would also impose an additional fine on those companies of $7.8 billion — one-tenth the annual cost of the crisis, per a 2016 estimate. (Facher, 4/17)
The Hill: Sanders Unveils Bill Targeting Drug Companies Over Opioid Crisis
The bill bans companies from marketing opioids to consumers as nonaddictive, and fines them 25 percent of profits from opioid products if they are found in violation. “They knew how dangerous these products were but refused to tell doctors and patients,” he said. “Yet, while some of these companies have made billions each year in profits, not one of them has been held fully accountable for its role in an epidemic that is killing tens of thousands of Americans every year.” (Sullivan, 4/17)
In other news on the opioid crisis from Capitol Hill —
The Hill: House Panel To Mark Up Opioid Bills Next Week
A House Energy and Commerce subcommittee will mark up legislation next Wednesday aimed at combatting the opioid epidemic. The April 25 markup in the panel’s health subcommittee comes as the panel's chairman pushes forward with his target of bringing a bill to the House floor by Memorial Day weekend. So far, lawmakers have reviewed more than 60 bills over three legislative hearings. (Roubein, 4/18)
Health News Florida: Congressman Announces Plan To Address Opioid Crisis
U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan announced an anti-drug plan Monday to address the growing opioid crisis. According to the Manatee County Republican, the bill will be introduced in the U.S. House later this week. The Opioid Emergency Response Act, is a seven-point plan built around ideas already introduced in Congress that adds incentives to use alternatives to addictive prescription opioids. (Martin, 4/17)
The Hill: GOP N.H. Governor Confronted White House Over Lack Of Opioid Funding: Report
GOP New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu initially resisted a visit to his state from President Trump last month over the country's opioid addiction crisis, telling the White House that he didn't want his state used as a prop for the administration. CBS News reports that Sununu battled White House aide Katy Talento, who sits on the White House Domestic Policy Council, over whether Trump could come to the state to promote his plan to battle the opioid epidemic while not providing additional funding for state initiatives. (Bowden, 4/17)
