Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Possible Government Shutdown Would Be Big Hit To Health Care System
Modern Healthcare: Government Shutdown Risk To DSH Payments, PEPFAR, Other Programs
With all eyes on a possible government shutdown at the end of the month, Congress is also on the brink of plunging large swathes of the healthcare system into limbo. Numerous pieces of legislation meant to fund or reauthorize a slew of major programs affecting hospitals, federally qualified health centers, medical education programs, opioid and HIV/AIDS treatment programs and even pandemic preparedness expire on Sept. 30. (McAuliff, 9/13)
Modern Healthcare: DEA Virtual Prescription Proposal Draws Criticism From Pharmacists
Tensions between pharmacists and telehealth companies are surfacing as the two groups attempt to sway federal regulators on the issue of virtual prescriptions. During public listening sessions Tuesday and Wednesday, telehealth companies whose business strategies depend on the remote prescribing of medications were broadly supportive of making permanent current flexibilities allowed by the Drug Enforcement Agency. The majority of pharmacy stakeholders expressed skepticism. (Turner, 9/13)
In other government news —
The Texas Tribune: Deborah Birx Joins Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Deborah L. Birx, the doctor and public health expert who served as the White House coronavirus response coordinator during the peak of the pandemic, is joining the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock. Birx will serve as the center’s presidential adviser and an adjunct professor at the Julia Jones Matthews School of Population and Public Health, the university announced Wednesday. (Carver, 9/13)
From Capitol Hill —
Stat: Bill Would Require Drugmakers To Give Key Info To FDA And U.S. Patent Office
Amid concerns over monopolies held by drugmakers, a bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced a bill that would require the companies to certify they have provided the same information to different federal government agencies when seeking marketing approval and patent protection. (Silverman, 9/13)
Disability advocates protest benefit rules —
The 19th: Disability Advocates Stage Mass Commitment Ceremony On The National Mall
Many people with disabilities in the United States face a heart-wrenching choice: marry their partner and risk losing their life-sustaining disability benefits, or remain unmarried — and perhaps have to keep their relationship a secret — to keep their benefits. (Luterman, 9/13)
