Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Perspectives: Biden's Build Back Better Plan Would Stunt Drug Development
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Build Back Better’s Punitive Stances Will Hinder Medical Innovation
When the history of the coronavirus pandemic is written, one fact will stand out: the scientific community and pharmaceutical manufacturers delivered for us. Against all odds, we had access to COVID-19 inoculations in record time (two based on cutting-edge messenger RNA technology that holds promise for other diseases like cancer). What often gets lost in the debate are the decades of research and financial investments by drug manufacturers and the federal government that went into this remarkable achievement. (U.S. Rep. Drew Ferguson, R-Ga., 12/20)
Stat: Trying To Answer The Big Questions About Drug Prices Is Hard To Do
Public debate over legislation to allow Medicare to negotiate the price of drugs has been dominated by stories of personal suffering caused by high drug prices, accounts of lifesaving cures provided by pharmaceutical innovations, and arguments regarding nuanced economic models of how reducing drug prices could affect government spending and pharmaceutical innovation. Big questions related to the role of companies or government in providing for the health of the public have gotten short shrift. Here are two of the biggest. (Fred D. Ledley, 12/16)
Also —
USA Today Network: Delaware Needs To Take Overdose Mortality Rates Seriously. Here's Why
If the Democratic Party and Republican Party of Delaware wish to serve Delaware and its citizens, both parties must address new ways and approaches to the opioid crisis. With the upcoming election on Nov. 8, 2022, if Christopher Hill is elected without reassessing his views and relationship to the opioid crisis — or the Democratic and Republican parties continue their misunderstood approach to the opioid epidemic — the state of Delaware may rise from second in the United States for overdose mortality rates to first. Hill describes on his website: “As a Delaware Board certified alcohol and drug counselor, the opiate and opioid crisis are one of my top priorities. And as such, I will be donating half of my salary as your congressman, distributed evenly, to all the substance abuse treatment facilities in the state of Delaware.” (Josh McClements, 12/19)
Seattle Times: ‘A Generational Opportunity’ To Invest In Substance Use Services In Washington State
In the next few weeks, the state Health Care Authority will begin rolling out drug treatment outreach programs and a new therapy for methamphetamine use disorder across Washington. These moves are part of an unprecedented $88.5 million investment for substance abuse services. Rep. Lauren Davis, D-Shoreline, was instrumental in moving the package through the Legislature earlier this year. She answers questions about the effort, the state Supreme Court’s decision on reducing drug crimes and what communities can expect from the focus on treatment instead of incarceration. (Alex Fryer, 12/19)
