Heritage Foundation Urges Congress To ‘Go Further’ On Repeal
The conservative think tank laid out a "repeal and replace" plan that would roll back the ACA's rules around plans' age rating, essential benefits and actuarial value limits. The experts also said Republicans should institute "sensible rules" to maintain protections for patients with pre-existing conditions but prevent those patients from gaming the system.
Morning Consult:
Heritage Proposes Obamacare Replacement For 2019
Two health policy experts with the Heritage Foundation are proposing that Congress repeal Obamacare in 2017, but wait to implement a replacement until the 2019 plan cycle. In a report released Tuesday, Heritage’s Nina Owcharenko and Ed Haislmaier write that the incoming Trump administration and Congress should take steps to stabilize the marketplace in 2018 and pass a replacement plan for 2019. They also back lawmakers passing a fiscal 2017 budget early next year, creating two opportunities for lawmakers to pass reconciliation bills in 2017. (McIntire, 11/22)
In other national health care news —
The Wall Street Journal:
What A GOP Government Potentially Means For Medicare Beneficiaries
Medicare beneficiaries could face big changes as the Republican Party, fresh off its election sweep, looks to revamp the federal health-care system. While Donald Trump had said before his campaign’s launch that “I’m not going to cut Medicare or Medicaid,” the president-elect’s transition website has signaled support for longstanding Republican-backed plans to “modernize Medicare.” (Tergesen, 11/22)
Modern Healthcare:
As HHS Secretary, Price Would Likely Focus On State Healthcare Reform
As President-elect Donald Trump continues to fill out his cabinet, the key position of HHS secretary is still open. Insiders expect an announcement soon, and have their eyes on Georgia Rep. Tom Price, who is expected to concentrate on state reform efforts and is known for working across the aisle. Price, an orthopedic surgeon from Georgia who is used to having considerable influence on health policy, was quick to support Trump's bid for the White House. He spoke on Trump's behalf at rallies, often focusing on complaints about the Affordable Care Act. He was seen entering Trump Tower in Manhattan last week where the presidential elect was hosting multiple potential cabinet picks. (Muchmore, 11/22)
The Wall Street Journal:
Fentanyl Billionaire Comes Under Fire As Death Toll Mounts From Prescription Opioids
Before they were arrested last year, Alabama doctors John Couch and Xiulu Ruan were prized customers of Insys Therapeutics Inc., maker of a powerful and highly addictive type of synthetic opioid known as fentanyl. Drs. Couch and Ruan prescribed a combined $4.9 million of the painkiller, called Subsys, to Medicare patients in 2013 and 2014, among the most of any doctors in the U.S., federal data show. Insys, based in Chandler, Ariz., went to unusual lengths to keep these high-prescribing doctors happy. (Walker, 11/22)
The New York Times:
Microcephaly Found In Babies Of Zika-Infected Mothers Months After Birth
It is the news that doctors and families in the heart of Zika territory had feared: Some babies not born with the unusually small heads that are the most severe hallmark of brain damage as a result of the virus have developed the condition, called microcephaly, as they have grown older. (Belluck, 11/22)