Drug Costs Archives - Page 3 of 35

Hello, Trump. Bye-Bye, Biden.

Episode 380

Jan. 16, 2025

With just days to go before the official launch of a new administration, the GOP-led Congress is putting together plans on how to enact incoming President Donald Trump’s agenda, with a particular emphasis on cutting spending on the Medicaid program. Meanwhile, the Biden administration makes major moves in its last days, including banning a controversial food dye and ordering cigarette companies to minimize their nicotine content. Joanne Kenen of Johns Hopkins University and Politico Magazine, Anna Edney of Bloomberg News, and Sandhya Raman of CQ Roll Call join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews Harris Meyer, who reported and wrote the latest KFF Health News “Bill of the Month” feature, about a colonoscopy that came with a much larger price tag than estimated.

Listen Now

California governor Gavin Newsom stands behind a blue and white sign that reads "$30 insulin by CalRx"

Health Care Is Newsom’s Biggest Unfinished Project. Trump Complicates That Task.

As Gov. Gavin Newsom enters the second half of his final term, health care stands out as his most ambitious but glaringly incomplete initiative for California residents. The issue will likely shape his national profile for better or worse. And now, Donald Trump brings a new wrinkle.

By Angela Hart and Christine Mai-Duc

Jan. 7, 2025

A photo of Mark Cuban speaking into a microphone.

How a Duty To Spend Wisely on Worker Benefits Could Loosen PBMs’ Grip on Drug Prices

As criticism of pharmacy benefit managers heats up, fear of lawsuits is driving some big employers to drop the “Big Three” PBMs — or force them to change.

By Arthur Allen

Dec. 18, 2024

Letters to the Editor

Readers Embrace ‘Going It Alone’ Series on Aging and Chastise Makers of Pulse Oximeters

KFF Health News gives readers a chance to comment on a recent batch of stories.

Nov. 22, 2024

A photo of Ron DeSantis speaking inside a warehouse at a podium with a sign that reads, "Lower drug costs."

Florida Gov. DeSantis’ Canadian Drug Import Plan Goes Nowhere After FDA Approval

Florida sued the FDA over what it said was a “reckless delay” in approving its drug importation plan. Now, nearly a year after the FDA gave the state the green light, the program has yet to begin.

By Phil Galewitz

Nov. 21, 2024

A photo of a toddler running in his backyard.

Listen: A Tussle With a Rattlesnake Can Take a Bite Out of Your Wallet

Listen to KFF Health News' Jackie Fortiér recount how a backyard snakebite led to a harrowing hospitalization — and big bills — for a San Diego family.

By Jackie Fortiér

Nov. 20, 2024

A digital illustration of a hand putting a piece on paper into a ballet box. The box has a Rod of Asclepius on it, signifying the topic of health.

What’s at Stake: A Pivotal Election for Six Big Health Issues

Health care has ebbed and surged as an election issue throughout the presidential campaign. Here are the ways some of the most consequential changes in health policies could hinge on whether Vice President Kamala Harris or former President Donald Trump wins.

By Arthur Allen, Phil Galewitz, Julie Rovner, and Daniel Chang

Nov. 1, 2024

A photograph of the exterior of the Adams Family Pharmacy on a sunny day. There is a red sign out front that reads: "We Welcome CVS Customers!"

PBM Math: Big Chains Are Paid $23.55 To Fill a Blood Pressure Rx. Small Drugstores? $1.51.

Criticism of prescription drug middlemen has intensified recently in the wake of a federal agency’s actions and legislative reform attempts. Georgia Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, though, vetoed a related bill that would have helped independent pharmacies, citing the unfunded cost of the move.

By Andy Miller

Oct. 24, 2024

A photo of a man pouring pills into his hand.

Medicare Drug Plans Are Getting Better Next Year. Some Will Also Cost More.

Every year, Medicare officials encourage beneficiaries to shop around for their drug coverage. Few take the time. This year, it might be more important than ever.

By Susan Jaffe

Oct. 21, 2024

What the Health? From KFF Health News

Yet Another Promise for Long-Term Care Coverage

Episode 367

Oct. 10, 2024

As part of her presidential campaign, Vice President Kamala Harris has rolled out a plan for Medicare to provide in-home long-term care services. The proposal would fill a longtime need for families trying to simultaneously care for young children and older parents, but its enormous price tag makes it a promise unlikely to be fulfilled. Meanwhile, a growing number of Republican candidates up and down the ballot facing voter backlash over their support for abortion restrictions are trying to reinvent their positions. Shefali Luthra of The 19th, Jessie Hellmann of CQ Roll Call, and Joanne Kenen of Johns Hopkins University and Politico join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more. Also this week, excerpts from a KFF lunch with “Shark Tank” panelist and generic drug discounter Mark Cuban, who has been consulting with the Harris campaign about health care issues.

Listen Now

A photo of opened orange pill bottles arranged on a table.

Employers Haven’t a Clue How Their Drug Benefits Are Managed

The Big Three pharmacy benefit managers say they return nearly all the rebates they get from drugmakers to the employers and insurers who hire them. But most employers seem to doubt that.

By Arthur Allen

Oct. 9, 2024

Health Brief

Calif. Ballot Measure Targets Drug Discount Program Spending

By Angela Hart

Oct. 8, 2024

What the Health? From KFF Health News

The Health of the Campaign

Episode 366

Oct. 4, 2024

The 2024 presidential race is taking on a familiar tone — with Democrats accusing Republicans of wanting to ban abortion and repeal the Affordable Care Act and Republicans insisting they have no such plans. Voters will determine whom they believe. Meanwhile, for the second time in a month, a state judge overturned an abortion ban, but few expect the decision to settle the matter. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Sandhya Raman of CQ Roll Call, and Anna Edney of Bloomberg News join KFF Health News chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews KFF Health News’ Lauren Sausser, who reported and wrote the latest KFF Health News-Washington Post “Bill of the Month,” about a teenage athlete whose needed surgery lacked a billing code.

Listen Now

KFF Health News & PolitiFact HealthCheck

Harris Correct That Trump Fell Short on Promise To Negotiate Medicare Drug Prices

The former president instead favored a temporary model that could’ve brought down prices of some prescription drugs, but it was blocked by the courts.

By Jacob Gardenswartz

Oct. 3, 2024

What the Health? From KFF Health News

Congress Punts to a Looming Lame-Duck Session

Episode 365

Sept. 26, 2024

Congress left Washington for the campaign trail this week, but not before approving a spending bill that expires shortly before Christmas. Lawmakers will be busy after the election working on not just the legislation needed to keep the government running, but also several health programs set to expire. Meanwhile, Republicans continue to downplay abortion as Democrats press it as a campaign issue. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Lauren Weber of The Washington Post, and Joanne Kenen of Johns Hopkins University and Politico join KFF Health News chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more.

Listen Now

What the Health? From KFF Health News

American Health Under Trump — Past, Present, and Future

Episode 364

Sept. 19, 2024

Dreaming of a Trump victory, Republicans have a wish list of health policy changes — including loosening Affordable Care Act regulations to make cheaper coverage available and ending Medicare drug price negotiations. Meanwhile, after a publicly reported death stemming from a state abortion ban, Vice President Kamala Harris is emphasizing the consequences of Trump’s work to overturn Roe v. Wade. Tami Luhby of CNN, Shefali Luthra of The 19th, and Joanne Kenen of Politico and Johns Hopkins University join KFF Health News senior editor Emmarie Huetteman to discuss these stories and more.

Listen Now

A roll of one hundred dollar bills sits among a row of prescription medication bottles.

California May Regulate and Restrict Pharmaceutical Brokers

California lawmakers are moving to rein in the pharmaceutical middlemen they say drive up costs and limit consumers’ choices. The bill sent to Gov. Gavin Newsom would require pharmacy benefit managers to be licensed in California and would ban some business practices. Newsom vetoed a previous effort three years ago.

By Don Thompson

Sept. 18, 2024

Health Brief

Harris and Trump Are Ready To Take on Big Pharma

By Stephanie Armour

Sept. 10, 2024

A hand is holding a remote control, there is a blurred TV screen in the background.

Perspective

With TV Drug Ads, What You See Is Not Necessarily What You Get

The pharmaceutical industry has invented a new art form: finding ways to make their wares seem like joyous must-have treatments, while often minimizing lackluster efficacy and risks.

By Elisabeth Rosenthal

Sept. 9, 2024

Two photos shown next to each other: a photo of Donald Trump on the left and Kamala Harris on the right.

Elections

For Pharma, Trump vs. Harris Is a Showdown Between Two Industry Foes

Vice President Kamala Harris is seen as more aggressive than former President Donald Trump in taking on pharmaceutical companies, but Trump allies say he would also make lowering drug costs a top priority.

By Stephanie Armour

Aug. 26, 2024

Trump 2.0

Public Health

Audio Reports

Special Reports

More Topics

Drug Costs