Drug Costs Archives - Page 6 of 36

Health Enters the Presidential Race

Episode 331

Jan. 25, 2024

New Hampshire voters have spoken, and it seems increasingly clear that this November’s election will pit President Joe Biden against former President Donald Trump. Both appear to be making health a key part of their campaigns, with Trump vowing (again) to repeal the Affordable Care Act, and Biden stressing his support for contraception and abortion rights. Meanwhile, both candidates will try to highlight efforts to rein in prescription drug prices. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Anna Edney of Bloomberg News, and Jessie Hellmann of CQ Roll Call join KFF Health News chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews Sarah Somers of the National Health Law Program about the potential consequences for the health care system if the Supreme Court overturns a key precedent attempting to balance executive vs. judicial power.

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The Health 202

The FTC Escalates Biden’s Fight Against Drug Prices

By Elisabeth Rosenthal

Jan. 25, 2024

A photo of Former President Donald Trump standing at a microphone with an American flag in the background behind him.

What Would a Second Trump Presidency Look Like for Health Care?

Health policy during Donald Trump’s tenure was dominated by covid-19 and a failed effort to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. His appointments to the Supreme Court led to the end of national abortion rights, and he took steps to increase hospital price transparency and improve care for veterans.

By Julie Rovner

Jan. 16, 2024

What the Health? From KFF Health News

2023 Is a Wrap

Episode 327

Dec. 21, 2023

2023 was another busy year in health care. As the covid-19 pandemic waned, policymakers looked anew at long-standing obstacles to obtaining and paying for care in the nation’s health care system. Meanwhile, abortion has continued to be an issue in much of the nation, as states respond to the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision overturning the constitutional right to the procedure. This week, Rachel Cohrs of Stat, Sandhya Raman of CQ Roll Call, and Joanne Kenen of Johns Hopkins University and Politico Magazine join KFF Health News chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and wrap up the year in health. Also this week, Rovner interviews KFF Health News’ Jordan Rau about his joint KFF Health News-New York Times series “Dying Broke.”

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An unrecognizable senior woman massages her wrist in an effort to relieve pain or discomfort.

A New Test Could Save Arthritis Patients Time, Money, and Pain. But Will It Be Used?

Stories of chronic pain, drug-hopping, and insurance meddling are all too common among patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Precision medicine offers new hope.

By Arthur Allen

Dec. 20, 2023

Colorful pills and capsules are scattered on top of a U.S. $100-dollar-bill.

Colorado Blames Biden Team and Drugmakers for Delaying Canadian Imports

Colorado officials say they haven’t been able to stand up a program to import drugs from Canada because of drugmaker opposition — and the Biden administration’s inaction.

By Phil Galewitz

Dec. 7, 2023

The Health 202

Colorado Says Drug Industry Blocked Its Canada Dreams – And Biden Hasn’t Helped

By Phil Galewitz

Dec. 5, 2023

Two photos where Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is picture on the left and California Gov. Gavin Newsom is on the right.

Health Care Is Front and Center as DeSantis and Newsom Go Mano a Mano

Florida’s Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis and California’s Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom will square off in a first-of-its-kind debate on Nov. 30. KFF Health News compared the political rivals’ health care positions, showing how their policies have helped — or hindered — the health of their states’ residents.

By Daniel Chang and Angela Hart

Nov. 27, 2023

June Voros is sitting on a couch in her home. Her hands are placed on her knees and she looks towards the camera.

Faces of Medi-Cal

Beyond Insulin: Medi-Cal Expands Patient Access to Diabetes Supplies

California’s Medicaid program is making it easier for people with diabetes to obtain the supplies and equipment they need to manage their blood sugar, partly by relaxing preauthorization requirements that can cause life-threatening delays.

By Angela Hart

Nov. 17, 2023

An Arm and a Leg

John Green vs. Johnson & Johnson (Part 2)

Season 10, Episode 3

Oct. 31, 2023

The high price of lifesaving tuberculosis drugs makes them inaccessible to many who need them most. On this episode of “An Arm and a Leg,” hear how a decades-long global fight to reform drug patents is helping to lower the cost.

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A photo of a medical worker's gloved hands applying a bandage to a patient's arm after a vaccine.

News Analysis

A New Era of Vaccines Leaves Old Questions About Prices Unanswered

The CDC’s RSV vaccination recommendations beg the question: How much should an immunization that will possibly be given to millions of Americans cost to be truly valuable?

By Elisabeth Rosenthal

Oct. 27, 2023

A photo of Monica Bertagnolli sitting inside of a Senate committee room with her nameplate visible in front of her.

Postcard from Capitol Hill

Biden Pick to Lead NIH Finally Has Her Day, but Still Gets Caught Up in Drug Price Debate

Monica Bertagnolli, the president’s choice to head the National Institutes of Health, appeared before a Senate committee this week. Her confirmation has been held up by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who has demanded President Joe Biden work more aggressively to lower prescription drug prices.

By Colleen DeGuzman

Oct. 19, 2023

What the Health? From KFF Health News

Health Funding in Question in a Speaker-Less Congress

Episode 318

Oct. 12, 2023

A bitterly divided Congress managed to keep the federal government running for several more weeks, while House Republicans struggle — again — to choose a leader. Meanwhile, many people removed from state Medicaid rolls are not finding their way to Affordable Care Act insurance, and a major investigation by The Washington Post attributes the decline in U.S. life expectancy to more than covid-19 and opioids. Lauren Weber of The Washington Post, Victoria Knight of Axios, and Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet join KFF Health News chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews physician-author-playwright Samuel Shem about “Our Hospital,” his new novel about the health workforce in the age of covid.

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An Arm and a Leg

John Green vs. Johnson & Johnson (Part 1)

Season 10, Episode 2

Oct. 11, 2023

Pharmaceutical patents can drive up the costs of lifesaving medications. Hear what author and YouTube star John Green is doing to make tuberculosis drugs more accessible to the people who need them most.

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What the Health? From KFF Health News

Countdown to Shutdown

Episode 315

Sept. 21, 2023

Congress appears to be careening toward a government shutdown, as a small band of House conservatives vow to block any funding for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1 unless they win deeper cuts to health and other domestic programs. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump continues to roil the GOP presidential primary field, this time with comments about abortion. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Rachel Cohrs of Stat, and Tami Luhby of CNN join KFF Health News chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also, for “extra credit,” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week they think you should read, too.

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A photograph shows a white pill bottle of Harvoni, a drug to treat hepititis C.

Hep C’s Number Comes Up: Can Biden’s 5-Year Plan Eliminate the Longtime Scourge?

Before covid-19, hepatitis C held the distinction of claiming more American lives each year than any other infectious disease — that’s despite the marketing of several relatively affordable, highly effective treatments.

By Michelle Andrews

Sept. 20, 2023

Save Billions or Stick With Humira? Drug Brokers Steer Americans to the Costly Choice

Thousands of patients with autoimmune diseases who rely on Humira, with a list price of $6,600 a month, could get financial relief from new low-cost rivals. So far, the pharmacy benefit managers that control drug prices in America have not delivered on those savings.

By Arthur Allen

Sept. 19, 2023

What the Health? From KFF Health News

Welcome Back, Congress. Now Get to Work.

Episode 313

Sept. 7, 2023

Congress returns from its summer recess with a long list of tasks and only a few work days to get them done. On top of the annual spending bills needed to keep the government operating, on the list are bills to renew the global HIV/AIDS program, PEPFAR, and the community health centers program. Meanwhile, over the recess, the Biden administration released the names of the first 10 drugs selected for the Medicare price negotiation program.

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A photo of President Biden speaking at a podium in front of American flags.

5 Things to Know About the New Drug Pricing Negotiations

The Biden administration unveiled the first 10 drugs subject to price negotiations, taking a swipe at the pharmaceutical industry. But what does it mean for patients?

By Arthur Allen, Rachana Pradhan, and David Hilzenrath

Aug. 30, 2023

An illustration of pills and coins being balanced on a seesaw.

A Move to Cut Drug Prices Has Patients With Rare Diseases Worried

A Colorado board has named five drugs it will review for affordability and potential cost caps. But patients with cystic fibrosis worry they will lose access to a life-changing therapy.

By Markian Hawryluk

Aug. 30, 2023

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