Policy and Legislation
Donald Trump is calling for a change in the way Medicare deals with big pharma prices, a revision long targeted by Democrats.
Healthcare has emerged as one of the flash points in the Democratic presidential race.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on Thursday finalized a rule on the rebate and reimbursement of prescription drugs, a move aimed at bringing down consumer costs and which is expected to save federal and state governments an estimated $2.7 billion over five years.
Former Turing Pharmaceutical Chief Executive Martin Shkreli has invoked the Fifth Amendment by refusing to produce documents subpoenaed by a Senate committee investigating on prescription drug price hikes, according to NBC News and Twitter chatter between Shkreli and the chairwoman of the committee.
Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Teresa Miller was the latest state official to propose protections for healthcare consumers against surprise balance bills, when she announced new measures on Tuesday.
A bill that would have levied new taxes, called "community contribution fees", on nonprofit hospitals in New Jersey died by pocket veto on Governor Chris Christie's desk on Tuesday, according to bill co-sponsor state Sen. Robert Singer.
A bill sits on New Jersey Governor Chris Christie's desk that would set a new precedent for the state: having nonprofit hospitals paying tax-like "community service contributions" to the towns and cities that host them to help cover the costs of the municipal services they provide, like police and fire department assistance.
In a contentious debate in Charleston, South Carolina Sunday night, the three challengers for the Democratic nomination tried to distinguish their views on healthcare and the effects and future of the Affordable Care Act.
Louisiana has adopted Medicaid expansion, making it the 32nd state, including the District of Columbia, to take on the Affordable Care Act initiative.
President Barack Obama announced a new national effort to cure cancer, with Vice President Joe Biden leading the charge, during his final State of the Union address Tuesday night.