Tobacco Giant Altria To Discontinue Most Of Its Flavored E-Cigarettes, Throws Support Behind Raising Federal Smoking Age
The moves come amid heightened government scrutiny of the e-cigarette industry, with the FDA trying to curb an "epidemic" of vaping among young people. Altria only has a tiny slice of the market, but the decision could pressure other companies, like Juul, to follow suit.
The New York Times:
Altria To Stop Selling Some E-Cigarette Brands That Appeal To Youths
Under pressure to curb vaping among young people, the tobacco giant Altria announced on Thursday that it would discontinue most of its flavored e-cigarettes and stop selling some brands altogether. The company also said, for the first time, that it would support federal legislation to raise the age to 21 for the purchase of any tobacco and vaping product. (Kaplan, 10/25)
In other national health care news —
The New York Times:
Caitlyn Jenner, A Longtime Republican, Revokes Support For Trump Over Transgender Rights
Caitlyn Jenner, the transgender rights activist who has long drawn criticism from members of the L.G.B.T.Q. community for her Republican leanings, unambiguously denounced President Trump on Thursday for his stance on transgender issues. In a column published in The Washington Post, Ms. Jenner, 68, wrote that she had hoped she could work within the Republican Party to improve its position on L.G.B.T.Q. issues, but that she had evolved to see that belief as a mistake. (Jacobs, 10/25)
The Wall Street Journal:
Trump’s DEA Chief Vetted Candidates And Then Took The Job Himself, Riling Police Groups
As one of President Trump’s top compliance and ethics attorneys in the White House, Uttam Dhillon had urged several candidates for Drug Enforcement Administration chief to withdraw from consideration, citing concerns about their background checks. Then, he accepted the job himself. Mr. Dhillon’s rise to the top of the world’s largest drug-fighting agency—after being closely involved in the selection process—has riled police groups that had pushed the White House to choose a DEA administrator with a law-enforcement background. (Bender, 10/25)
Modern Healthcare:
Medicaid Will Pay Doctors, Hospitals More Next Year
Providers across the country can expect to score higher Medicaid reimbursement next year, but inpatient hospitals may see cuts or rate freezes, according to a state Medicaid survey released Thursday. Forty-seven states plan to offer at least one provider type a rate increase in fiscal 2019, Kaiser Family Foundation's survey showed. That could include primary-care doctors, specialists, home care aides or nursing homes. While at least one provider type in 31 states can expect a rate decrease, that's the smallest number of rate restrictions since fiscal 2008. (Dickson, 10/25)
USA Today:
Dementia And Alzheimer’s Leave Families Grappling With Elder Guardianship
Casey Kasem’s widow battled his children to maintain medical control of the radio legend as he faded with a form of dementia. The wife and daughter of actor and comedian Tim Conway are sparring in court over the care of the former Carol Burnett Show star. Similar disputes divided the families of country music icon Glen Campbell and R&B singer Etta James. Star Trek actress Nichelle Nichols is the subject of a court action brought by her son. (Alltucker, 10/25)
The Washington Post:
Drop In Adult Flu Vaccinations May Be Factor In Last Season’s Record-Breaking Deaths, Illnesses
Fewer than 4 out of 10 adults in the United States got flu shots last winter, the lowest rate in seven seasons and one likely reason that the 2017-2018 season was the deadliest in decades. Reports released Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provide new details outlining the severity of the past flu season, during which more people were killed by seasonal influenza than in any other since the 1970s. (Sun, 10/25)