KHN’s ‘What is Health?’: Looking into the lame-duck session

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When the lame-duck Congress returns to Washington after Election Day, it faces a long list of health items that need attention before the end of the year, including capping overall spending for health programs and a series of cuts to Medicare payments to health care providers. .

Meanwhile, in California, Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom signed the first statewide law aimed at cracking down on Covid-19 misinformation and misinformation by doctors.

This week’s panelists are KHN’s Julie Rovner. Sandhya Raman Call of CQ Pack; Jesse Helman, CQ Roll Call; and Mary Agnes Carey of KHN.

Among the events covered in this week’s class:

• Congressional lawmakers last week agreed to support the government when they left town for a month of campaigning ahead of the midterm elections — but only until mid-December. The outcome of the election could affect whether they reach an agreement on returning funding for the full fiscal year.
• Key Democratic members of the House have vowed to remove the so-called Hyde Amendment from any spending bills, but the effort apparently lacks enough support to make it through the Senate. In the year The Hyde Amendment, named for Rep. Henry Hyde (R-Ill.), who died in 2007, would have prevented federal funds from being used for most abortions.
• Among the funding issues that lawmakers still need to address are whether to continue certain programs started during the pandemic, such as allowing Medicare to cover telehealth services, and whether to continue expanded Medicaid for US states.
• Also still awaiting a congressional resolution is a bipartisan effort to improve mental health services.
• In response to some of the strange treatments and theories that have emerged around Covid, California has passed a law that could lead to greater penalties for doctors who knowingly pass on false information to patients. They may be reprimanded by the state medical board.
• The issue of abortion is heating up in campaigns around the country, especially among Democrats running for Congress, governor or attorney general. On the other hand, when Republicans try to highlight the economic and immigration issues, they play it down.
• A new report from Ohio officials points to an alarmingly high number of girls and young people seeking abortions. Of the 538 abortions in Ohio last year, 57 of them were 17 or younger, according to the state health department.

Also this week, Rovner interviewed KHN’s Sam Whitehead, who reported and wrote the latest KHN-NPR report.Account of the month” story about a family who tried to use urgent care to save money but ended up with a huge emergency room bill. If you have an outrageous or large medical bill you want to share with us, You can do it here.

Plus, for extra credit, the panelists recommend the week’s favorite health policy stories they think you should read:

Julie Rovner: NPRThe Ice Bucket Challenge wasn’t just for social media. It helped fund a new ALS drug” by Wyn Davis

Sandhya Raman: Mountain State Spotlight”.While WV officials report small decreases in drug overdose deaths, the epidemic remains at critical levels.” by Allen Siegler

Jesse Hellman: KN”Panic Reporter until you find a simple, no-cost solution to severe sleep apnea diagnosis” by Jay Hancock

Mary Agnes Carey: “The Washington Post.”The elderly are stuck at home alone as health workers flee for higher paying jobs” by Christopher Rowland

Also mentioned in this week’s episode:

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