Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Consumer Group: Many Lawmakers Opposing Medicare Change Got Drugmakers' Contributions
Stat: Pharma Dollars Went Overwhelmingly To Lawmakers Opposing Medicare Part B Overhaul
After the Obama administration unveiled a proposal to overhaul Medicare Part B four months ago, a large number of lawmakers quickly and very vocally opposed the effort. Now, a new analysis finds that drug makers, who are worried the plan will cut into their revenue, have given them considerably more financial support than lawmakers who have not raised objections. Specifically, 310 lawmakers who either signed two letters opposing the overhaul or were critical of it received a total of more than $7.2 million from pharmaceutical and health products companies for their 2016 campaigns, according to the analysis by Public Citizen, the consumer advocacy group, which released its analysis on Monday. And the amount given to each representative averaged more than $23,300. (Silverman, 7/11)
The Fiscal Times: Medicare Spending On Hepatitis-C Drugs More Than Doubled
Federal officials have long fretted about the mounting cost of prescription drugs for Medicare and other government agencies – especially the newer pricey miracle drugs for the treatment of the Hepatitis-C virus, the potentially deadly liver disease that affects millions of Americans. A recent annual report of the Medicare Board of Trustees documenting the alarming trends in spending on prescription drugs more than validates their concerns. (Pianin, 7/10)
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Medicare Advantage Plans Continue To Gain Market Share
More than three out of 10 people covered by Medicare nationwide opt for Medicare Advantage plans sold by private companies — and that percentage is even higher in Milwaukee County. A bit more than four out of 10 people, or 41%, opted for Medicare Advantage plans in Milwaukee County last year, according to a recent study of 20 markets by the Kaiser Family Foundation. The study shows how popular Medicare Advantage plans have become in the past decade. (Boulton, 7/9)
Bloomberg: House Panel Approves Rural Hospital Relief Bill
The Ways and Means Committee unanimously approved the Continuing Access to Hospitals Act, as amended. The legislation would delay Medicare’s so-called physician direct supervision requirement for outpatient therapeutic services in critical access hospitals and small rural hospitals through the end of 2016. (Williamson, 7/8)
