As ‘Medicare-For-All’ Debate Bubbles Up On Campaign Trail, CBO Passes Up Chance To Project Cost
Experts say that because Republicans control Congress there is not a legitimate reason for the Congressional Budget Office to put time into analyzing the idea.
The Hill:
Why CBO Won't Estimate Cost Of Bernie Sanders's 'Medicare For All' Bill
A recent study concluding that Sen. Bernie Sanders's “Medicare for all” bill would cost $32 trillion has set off a furious debate over the cost of the plan. But there's one estimate that would make an even bigger splash: the score from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO). (Sullivan, 8/29)
In other national health care news —
The Hill:
GOP Eyes Another Shot At ObamaCare Repeal After McCain’s Death
Senate Republicans say they would like Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey (R) to appoint a successor to late Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) who, unlike McCain, would support GOP legislation to repeal ObamaCare. GOP lawmakers say they won’t have time to hold another vote to repeal the law in 2018 but vow to try again next year if they manage to keep their Senate and House majorities. (Bolton, 8/29)
Modern Healthcare:
CMS Seeks Help Creating Consumer Price Comparison Tool
The CMS started the process of searching for a company to help create a price comparison tool for consumers. It has released a sources sought notice to see if any companies have the expertise to perform such work. A formal request for proposals for the work could be released later depending on the responses the agency receives to the CMS query on what would be a transparency-focused web portal. (Dickson, 8/28)
Stateline:
Local Governments Aren’t Waiting For States To Raise Smoking Age
Last month, Massachusetts became the sixth state to boost its legal smoking age to 21. While two dozen other states considered similar bills this legislative session — and many likely will do so again in 2019 — much of the groundswell of activity isn’t happening in state capitols. A growing number of local governments are acting on their own to ban the sale of tobacco products to anyone under 21. At least 340 towns, cities and counties in 21 states have taken action, compared with about 200 in 14 states in 2016. (Bergal, 8/29)
The New York Times:
S.T.D. Diagnoses Reach Record 2.3 Million New Cases In U.S.
New cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis rose sharply for the fourth consecutive year in 2017, to a record high of nearly 2.3 million, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That number surpassed the previous record, which was set in 2016, by more than 200,000 cases. The statistics are an alarming sign that the systems to prevent and treat sexually transmitted diseases are “strained to near-breaking point,” said Dr. Jonathan Mermin, a top C.D.C. official. (Zraick, 8/28)