Push To Lift Medicare Ban On Obesity Drugs Grabs Attention At Republican Convention
Drugmakers use the spotlight of the political conventions to urge lawmakers to pass pending legislation that would allow Medicare to cover the medications. And after vice presidential nominee Mike Pence's Republican convention speech, WFYI dives into the Indiana governor's record on important health issues.
Stat:
At The Republican Convention, Drug Maker Lobbies For More Coverage Of Obesity Drugs
The main hall at the Republican National Convention has been ringing all week with talk about terrorism, immigration, and national security. But in a side venue on Wednesday, a small crowd gathered to talk about a more intimate topic: Obesity. Pharma giant Novo Nordisk co-sponsored the “Rethink Obesity” panel here, and plans to co-host a similar event during the Democratic convention next week in Philadelphia. The goal: To push lawmakers to enact a bill, pending in Congress, that would lift a longstanding ban on Medicare paying for obesity medication. (Keshavan, 7/21)
WFYI/Kaiser Health News:
Mike Pence’s Health Policy Record Is A Mixed Bag
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence is in the spotlight this week as the man Donald Trump has picked to be his running mate. Pence’s decisions about health and health care in Indiana have drawn attention from within and outside the state. His record could be important in November, because Trump doesn’t have a legislative record at all. Here’s a quick look at the governor’s history in terms of health policy in Indiana. (Harper, 7/21)
