Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
GOP Plans To Revise Medicare Signal Bitter Political Fight In 2018
Reuters: U.S. Tax Revamp Still Incomplete As Republicans Eye Social Program Cuts
Even before completing their overhaul of the U.S. tax code, Republicans in Washington have begun turning their attention to changes and possible cuts in the social safety net of government programs for the poor, children, elderly and disabled Americans. President Donald Trump, House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan and other Republican officials in recent remarks have made clear that welfare or "entitlement reform," as they often call it, will be a top priority for them in 2018. (Becker, 12/8)
Modern Healthcare: Republicans March Into Democrats' Line Of Fire In Promising To Cut Medicare
During last year's election campaign, candidate Donald Trump and his fellow Republicans surprisingly managed to avoid political damage over proposals in the GOP platform to restructure and cut Medicare and Medicaid. ... But now congressional Republicans seem to be inviting scrutiny of their controversial plans to reform those popular social insurance programs by promising such action immediately after passing tax cut legislation. Political observers say that's a questionable campaign strategy heading into the hotly contested 2018 congressional elections, in which Democrats are considered to have a fighting chance to win control of one or both chambers. (Meyer, 12/8)
Meanwhile, a hospital is nervous about new Medicare rules —
Albuquerque (N.M.) Journal: UNM Braces For Medicare Change
University of New Mexico officials say a planned change to Medicare payments could have a devastating impact on the UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center, eliminating more than $9 million in annual revenue – or nearly 10 percent of its total budget. A federal rule finalized Nov. 1 and scheduled to take effect Jan. 1 would dramatically reduce drug reimbursement rates for hospitals in the “340B Drug Pricing Program.” The program allows qualified hospitals like UNM to buy drugs from the manufacturers at significant discount, while still getting Medicare Part B reimbursements at 6 percent above the average sales price. (Dyer, 12/10)
