Welcome to Thursday’s Overnight Health Care.
Kansas is now on the verge of expanding Medicaid after a breakthrough deal, California’s governor is proposing some drastic drug pricing policies, and Nebraska passed an abortion ban.
We’ll start with the Medicaid news…
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Kansas leaders announce bipartisan deal to expand Medicaid
Some good news for ObamaCare supporters and Medicaid backers after a years-long fight in Kansas: the state has a deal to expand Medicaid.
Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly announced the deal at a press conference on Thursday with state Senate Majority Leader Jim Denning, a Republican.
The deal would expand Medicaid to cover as many as 150,000 more people and make Kansas the 37th state to expand Medicaid under ObamaCare. But, the agreement still has to pass the state Legislature.
What’s in the deal:
- Medicaid expansion
- A “reinsurance” program to lower private health insurance premiums
- Medicaid enrollees would pay small premiums, around $25
- Work referrals to help Medicaid enrollees get work, but no work requirements that strip coverage for noncompliance.
Big picture: Momentum for Medicaid. The agreement is a sign of the weakening resistance to Medicaid expansion in red states that had been holding out. Voters approved Medicaid expansion in Utah, Idaho and Nebraska in 2018.
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Dem introduces ban on e-cigarette flavors
Sen. Sherrod BrownSherrod Campbell BrownOvernight Health Care: Kansas leaders reach deal to expand Medicaid | California to launch own prescription drug label | Dem senator offers bill banning e-cigarette flavors Trump trade deal faces uncertain Senate timeline On The Money: Trump says plans ‘being arranged’ to sign initial China trade deal | Trump talks with Bolsonaro after surprise tariffs | 2020 Dems divided over Trump, Pelosi trade deal MORE (D-Ohio) introduced a bill Thursday that would ban flavored tobacco products, including e-cigarettes.
It’s the Senate version of a House bill introduced last year by Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) and Donna ShalalaDonna Edna ShalalaOvernight Health Care: Kansas leaders reach deal to expand Medicaid | California to launch own prescription drug label | Dem senator offers bill banning e-cigarette flavors A solemn impeachment day on Capitol Hill Overnight Health Care — Presented by That’s Medicaid — House panel unveils rival fix for surprise medical bills | Democrats punt vote on youth vaping bill | Pelosi drug bill poised for passage after deal with progressives MORE (D-Fla.).
The House bill is expected to get a vote on the floor early this year. But it’s not clear if Brown’s bill will get a vote in the Senate, where some Republicans oppose a flavor ban. The Senate bill is co-sponsored by Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Ben Carden (D-Md.), Dick DurbinRichard (Dick) Joseph DurbinOvernight Health Care: Kansas leaders reach deal to expand Medicaid | California to launch own prescription drug label | Dem senator offers bill banning e-cigarette flavors Pressure building on Pelosi over articles of impeachment Democrats call for updates on US troop deployments MORE (D-Ill.), Kamala HarrisKamala Devi HarrisOvernight Health Care: Kansas leaders reach deal to expand Medicaid | California to launch own prescription drug label | Dem senator offers bill banning e-cigarette flavors On The Money: Senate panel advances Trump’s new NAFTA despite GOP gripes | Trade deficit falls to three-year low | Senate confirms Trump pick for small business chief DNC defends ‘inclusive’ standards with some 2020 Democrats set to miss January debate MORE (D-Calif.), Jeff MerkleyJeffrey (Jeff) Alan MerkleyOvernight Health Care: Kansas leaders reach deal to expand Medicaid | California to launch own prescription drug label | Dem senator offers bill banning e-cigarette flavors Senators introduce resolution warning that Congress has not authorized Iran war On The Money: Senate panel advances Trump’s new NAFTA despite GOP gripes | Trade deficit falls to three-year low | Senate confirms Trump pick for small business chief MORE (D-Ore.), Jack ReedJohn (Jack) Francis ReedOvernight Health Care: Kansas leaders reach deal to expand Medicaid | California to launch own prescription drug label | Dem senator offers bill banning e-cigarette flavors Democrats call for updates on US troop deployments Living in limbo may end for Liberians in the US MORE (D-R.I.) and Sheldon WhitehouseSheldon WhitehouseOvernight Health Care: Kansas leaders reach deal to expand Medicaid | California to launch own prescription drug label | Dem senator offers bill banning e-cigarette flavors Bipartisan lawmakers attempt to drum up opposition to proposed changes of environmental law Democrats, greens blast Trump rollback of major environmental law MORE (D-R.I.).
The bill would also prohibit online sales of tobacco products and place additional advertising restrictions on e-cigarettes.
California plans to launch own prescription drug label
California has been at the forefront of some major health innovations, and Gov. Gavin NewsomGavin Christopher NewsomOvernight Health Care: Kansas leaders reach deal to expand Medicaid | California to launch own prescription drug label | Dem senator offers bill banning e-cigarette flavors California plans to launch own prescription drug label Diapers and feminine hygiene products are now tax-free in California MORE (D) is pushing for more in 2020.
On Thursday morning, Newsom announced that he wants California to become the first state to create its own prescription drug label.
As part of his 2020-2021 budget, Newsom wants to create the first-ever state generic drug label as part of a series of sweeping proposals designed to lower the cost of health care in the Golden State.
Newsom also wants to force drug companies to bid in order to sell their drugs in the state marketplace. California would invoke a “most favored nation” clause in the marketplace, which would mean manufacturers will have to sell drugs at the lowest cost offered anywhere else in the world.
Will it work? Drug prices in other countries are often lower because governments directly negotiate with manufacturers. Newsom’s proposal could be successful if the state has enough leverage to force drugmakers to make concessions.
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Trump brags about lower cancer deaths
President TrumpDonald John TrumpProfessor fired for Facebook post suggesting Iran should tweet out list of American cultural sites to threaten NY judge denies Trump request to dismiss lawsuit by E. Jean Carroll Rep. Omar: ‘War trauma never leaves you’ MORE on Thursday seemed to take credit for a record drop in the rate of cancer deaths that occurred during his first year in office.
Trump tweeted that cancer rates are the lowest in recorded history, and added there is “a lot of good news coming out of this Administration.”
But a report from the American Cancer Society found that the 2.2 percent drop was driven largely from declining death rates from lung cancer, which is the leading cause of death from cancer. Better drugs, declining smoking rates and earlier detection of cancer have all contributed, rather than anything the administration has done.
While recent spending bills have included increases for the National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Institute, President Trump has proposed cutting their funding.
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What we’re reading
The most expensive health care option of all? Do nothing. (Politico)
Two big drug flops show how health-care economics have changed (Bloomberg Businessweek)
Trump international drug price plan would hurt bill in Congress (Bloomberg Law)
Faced with prescriber fears of OxyContin misuse, Purdue sales reps misleadingly played up drug’s safety, documents show (Stat)
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State by state
Details scarce on Cuomo’s Medicaid deficit plan in New York (Albany Times-Union)
Iowa auditor slams state Medicaid program for ‘flawed’ data (Associated Press)
State of the state: Cuomo pushes to ban vape products and ads (News 10)
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