Trump Wants PBM Reform
Pressure is mounting to pass pharmacy benefits manager (PBM) reform. Donald Trump came out over the weekend in favor of PBM reform. Brand drug makers have gotten to Trump, getting him to focus on PBMs rather than high brand drug prices at the beginning of the drug channel. Discussions are occurring on whether PBM reform should go in the lame-duck session bill.
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#pbms #drugpricing
House Republican Says Medicare And Social Security Could Be On Efficiency Cut List
While Donald Trump has said Medicare and Social Security will not be touched, a prominent Republican is arguing differently. Rep. Mark Alford, R-MO, is floating the two programs as potential areas of focus for the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
#efficiency #doge #trump #medicare #socialsecurity
Rural Providers Urge No More MA EGWP Conversions
Interesting article discussing how some rural providers are actively urging employers in rural areas not to convert Medicare retiree benefits to a Medicare Advantage (MA) wrap plan. As employers struggle with increasing costs, employer group waiver plans (EGWPs) are growing dramatically as they represent a cheaper way to wrap retiree coverage around Medicare.
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#medicare #medicareadvanage #egwps #providers #healthplans
Federal Court Blocks ACA Coverage For Dreamers
A federal court has blocked a Biden administration rule that granted Affordable Care Act (ACA) coverage for immigrants that came into the U.S. illegally as children, also known as “Dreamers.” The case was brought against the rule by Kansas and 18 other states. The judge issued a stay and preliminary injunction barring implementation of the rule.
#aca #exchanges #medicaid #dreamers #regulations
https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/5031527-federal-court-blocks-aca-coverage-for-dreamers
Dems Want Patent Thicket Reform In End-Of-Year Compromise Bill
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has scrapped a proposed rule that would have prohibited brand drug makers from asserting more patents than necessary on a drug to extend its market exclusivity. As such, Democrats are pushing to include a measure to stop patent thickets in the lame-duck health package. It would save $1.8 billion. Patent thickets are a gross abuse by brand drug makers and the Democrats are right on this.
(Article may require a subscription.)
#drugpricing #patents #branddrugmakers
Arrest Made In Healthcare Executive Killing
An arrest was made in Pennsylvania of the suspected killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in NYC last week. The man was identified as 26-year-old Luigi Mangione, who was born and raised in Maryland, had ties to San Francisco, and lived in Honolulu until recently.
Additional article: https://www.medpagetoday.com/publichealthpolicy/publichealth/113292
#healthcare #unitedhealthcare #tragedy
https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/5031116-luigi-mangione-court-unitedhealthcare-ceo
— Marc S. Ryan
