Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Insulin Cap Legislation Gaining Momentum Among Some GOP Senators
Politico: Republicans Debate Insulin Pricing Cap Ahead Of Daunting Midterms
A group of Senate Republicans wants to ensure private insurance patients with diabetes don’t have to pay more than $35 a month for insulin. The move is a major shift for a party that’s long viewed price controls as anathema to free markets. And it’s the latest sign that GOP lawmakers are trying to address affordability issues ahead of the midterms. (King and Lim, 6/24)
Stat: New Bill Aims To Expand Methadone Access For Opioid Treatment
Two senators are renewing their push to greatly expand access to methadone treatment for opioid addiction. On Thursday, Sens. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Rand Paul (R-Ky.) are introducing an updated version of legislation that would allow doctors who hold board certifications in addiction medicine to prescribe methadone directly to patients for pickup at a pharmacy. (Facher, 6/25)
Military.com: Lawmaker Wants To Let Cannabis-Failed Recruits Into Air Force & Marines — Just Like Army & Navy
A conservative congressman has included a provision in the U.S. House version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that calls on all services to expand waivers for military enlistees who test positive for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive component found in cannabis. (Mordowanec, 6/24)
Roll Call: RFK Jr.’s Moves On Animal Testing Spur Capitol Hill Action
In his first two years on the job, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has become a polarizing figure on Capitol Hill, largely because of his vaccine skepticism and distrust of the status quo. But one of his quieter pushes — ending animal testing in medical research — has earned him accolades among some Democrats and Republicans alike. (Cohen, 6/24)
The Washington Post: Bill To Raise Minimum Wage To $25 An Hour Will Be Introduced In Senate
The minimum wage would be raised to $25 an hour under a new bill to be introduced by Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Connecticut) on Thursday, in a bid to enthuse the working-class voters who have abandoned the Democratic Party. The legislation, dubbed the Living Wage for All Act, has a companion bill already introduced in the House. (Choi and Beggin, 6/24)
Also —
The New York Times: Representative Tom Kean, Missing For Months, Is Back Home In New Jersey
Aides had said that Mr. Kean, 57, was being treated for a health condition and was expected to fully recover, but had offered no additional details as their boss missed more than 100 floor votes since the middle of March. (Tully, 6/24)
