Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
How America Voted On Health Issues
NBC News: Ballot Initiatives: How Did America Vote On Controversial Issues?
Voters didn't just pick who they're sending to Congress and their state legislatures Tuesday — they also spoke up on a staggering range of fiercely debated issues, from abortion and legal pot to gun rights and hiking the minimum wage. (Arkin, 11/5)
The Associated Press: Attempt To Raise Medical Malpractice Cap Defeated
Voters on Tuesday soundly defeated a proposal to lift a decades-old cap on courtroom damages for medical negligence, after a multimillion-dollar political duel pitting trial lawyers against doctors and insurers. The defeat of Proposition 46 came after a cascade of negative advertising financed by insurance and physician groups. They warned the change would send medical costs soaring and drive doctors from the state. (Blood, 11/5)
The Wall Street Journal's Washington Wire: California Voters Decline To Raise Medical Malpractice Cap
Californians Tuesday overwhelmingly voted down Proposition 46, an initiative that would have raised a cap on medical malpractice awards and required routine drug and alcohol testing for hospital doctors. (Lazo, 11/5)
Los Angeles Times: Proposition 45 Falters; Would Have Regulated Health Insurance Rates
Proposition 45, a ballot measure that would have allowed regulation of some health insurance premiums, has failed, AP reports. The measure was targeted by a $57-million opposition campaign. The initiative would have given California's elected insurance commissioner the power to review proposed health insurance rates for the individual and small-employer markets. Premium hikes, if deemed excessive after an actuarial analysis, could have been denied under the measure. (Lifsher, 11/4)
San Francisco Chronicle: Voters Pass Props 1, 2 & 47, Reject Prop 45, 46 & 48
Voters rejected Prop. 45, a measure that would have given the state insurance commissioner the power to approve or reject health insurance rate changes. ... Voters also rejected Prop. 46, one of the most controversial initiatives on the ballot. It sought to require drug testing for doctors and increased payouts in medical malpractice lawsuits. (Gutierrez and Garofoli, 11/5)
The Associated Press: Voters Defeat Health Insurance Rate Initiative
On the heels of an advertising blitz funded by health insurance companies, California voters on Tuesday tanked a proposal to give the state's insurance commissioner veto authority over health insurance premiums. About 60 percent of voters cast ballots against the plan to give the elected commissioner expanded authority over small group and individual health plans. (Taxin, 11/4)
Politico: Personhood Movement Loses Both State Initiatives
The anti-abortion personhood movement failed key tests Tuesday in North Dakota and Colorado, with voters rejecting amendments to grant the unborn constitutional rights. In North Dakota — a strongly anti-abortion state considered the personhood movement’s best chance of victory — the proposed ballot measure would have amended the state constitution to say the “inalienable right to life of every human being at any stage of development must be recognized and protected.” The Associated Press reported that with 91 percent of precincts reporting, it was losing by about a 2 to 1 margin. (Pradhan and Haberkorn, 11/5)
Arizona Central-Republic: Terminally Ill Win 'Right To Try'; Bond For County Health Unit Passes
Arizona voters easily approved Proposition 303, a measure to allow terminally ill patients to potentially access experimental drugs not fully vetted by federal regulators. Voters also approved Proposition 480, a $935 million bond measure to renovate and expand Maricopa County's public-health-care system. (Hansen, 11/4)
Boston Globe: Mass. Voters Back Paid Sick Leave
Voters have approved a ballot question that supporters say will give Massachusetts the nation’s strongest requirement for providing paid sick time to workers, according to the Associated Press. (11/5)
Los Angeles Times: Tax On Sugary Sodas Approved In Berkeley; S.F. Measure Falls Short
The Berkeley measure levies a penny per ounce for sugar-sweetened beverages sold in the city, including soda, sports and energy drinks, juice with added sugar and syrups that go into sugary drinks at cafes, like Starbucks' Frappucinos, the measure's backers say. Diet sodas and alcohol won't be taxed under the law. About 75% of Berkeley voters backed Measure D. The measure was backed by public health advocates and the city's elected leaders, who said the tax would reduce consumption of sugary drinks and raise awareness of the link between sugary drinks, diabetes and other diseases. The measure's backers say a national soda tax in Mexico has caused people there to consume fewer sugary drinks. (Lin, 11/5)
