[ad_1]
Congressional Democrats are poised to pass the most important health care package in more than a decade, a major victory. President Biden, Tackling the high cost of care is central to the domestic agenda.
If signed into law, the party’s long-delayed spending package would prevent large increases in the cost of health insurance for some people. Limit seniors’ drug spending to $2,000 per year; And pay $35 a month for insulin for American diabetics enrolled in Medicare.
“When you’re sitting at that kitchen table at the end of the month, you’re going to pay a lot more bills because you’re going to pay less in medical bills,” Biden told reporters yesterday.
Here at The Health 202, we’ve focused on the political path through the law’s mess. Today, we have it for you. Look at the numbers The influence of consumers on the account.
That’s why many people enrolled in Medicare take expensive drugs for diseases like cancer or multiple sclerosis, while their annual out-of-pocket costs for drugs drop dramatically.
The Democrats’ economic package forces a $2,000 per year limit How much Medicare’s voluntary prescription drug benefits will pay for prescription drugs starting in 2025. About 1.4 million Seniors and people with disabilities spent $2,000 or more on drugs in 2020; basis Kaiser Family Foundation However, this may be an underestimate as the estimate does not account for expected increases in average out-of-pocket costs in the near future or in the coming years.
Democrats’ bill one centerpiece: Allowing Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices for the first time. The government will start negotiating the price 10 drugs by 2026With this number growing up 20 medicines In 2029.
But how many Medicare beneficiaries will the policy help? And how much do seniors save? It is not yet clear. The answers to these questions will depend on which drugs are being negotiated and the price reductions the government will receive.
“It’s difficult to say with certainty which drugs will be negotiated or what the level of savings will be for patients taking those drugs,” he said. Tricia NeumannKFF senior vice president. But there will be savings starting in 2026 for patients taking those drugs.
3.3 million diabetics
The economic package a $35 monthly cap The cost of insulin for patients on Medicare – policy This will have an effect In Care Of 3.3 million people.
The number of Americans with Medicare who use insulin has more than doubled in recent years. 1.6 million In 2007 3.3 million In 2020, many seniors will spend on average $54 per prescription Across all insulin products, many will see lower costs with the new cap. (Read my Deep dive on insulin with Rachel Panette over here.)
13 million Obamacare enrollees
If the package passes, Democrats will avoid raising health premiums 13 million Americans who buy coverage through the Affordable Care Act exchanges.
Last year, lawmakers included enhanced financial aid for Obamacare enrollees in the coronavirus relief package — a policy that expires at the end of this year. But the party’s health and climate bill would extend tax credits until 2025.
Without that help, health care costs will rise dramatically, and Democrats want to get rid of rising health care costs weeks ahead of the average transition. Here What impact If Democrats don’t secure a deal on an extension to the Department of Health and Human Services (or the bill eventually passes), it could be:
- About 3 million people Maybe not insurance.
- About 9 million Americans Stay on the accessories He could lose hundreds of dollars a year in funding.
- Approximately 1.5 million It may have lost the tax credit entirely, but it remained guaranteed.
A limited supply of the monkey vaccine will be rolled out under the FDA’s plan.
Tap today. They are Biden administration officials. It is ready to announce. A new strategy to distribute monkeypox vaccines hopes to vaccinate up to five times more people while stretching limited supplies, our colleagues And the diamond Reports.
The strategy was first officially announced by Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Robert Calif last weekIt changes how vaccines are given while boosting the immune response generated by the vaccine.
The proposed change in vaccination rates will be a large-scale, immediate test as officials try to contain a record outbreak of monkeypox. The change is not without risk, though Khalif stresses that the move will not compromise security.
- People who received a pre-release version of the vaccine; Conceived as a two-dose period, the plan will require additional vaccinations if it leads to an insufficient level of protection against the virus.
- Local authorities may struggle to implement the new strategy. May require additional training and supplies.
To change how the shots are given, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra To change how vaccines are given, he would need to issue a second statement about the pandemic that would allow existing vaccines for “emergency use.”
White House orders
Inside the Biden hot line, from the pool to the Capitol
President Biden is on a winning streak.
Senate Democrats’ passage of the economic package capped three weeks of political victories for the president, a victory he won in part because of the resolution. Remove himself from the conversationPost Yasmin Abutaleb And Tyler Pager Write it down.
The changes to the budget were the result of the president’s decision to let senators negotiate among themselves instead of Biden taking a leadership role. After negotiations with St Joe Manchin III (DW.Va.) In December, Biden instructed his staff not to release details of any contacts he had with members of Congress to remove himself from the public picture.
But in the hours before the inflation-reduction bill is ready to pass the Senate, Biden is leaving nothing to chance. On Saturday, he sat by the White House pool for Democratic Sens. Mark R. Warner (Va.), Amy Klobuchar (K.) And Tina Smith (Minn.), among others. When legislators are tired through “vote-a-rama”. Steve RicchettiOne of Biden’s closest aides and White House chief of staff Ron Klein. He spoke with Biden every half hour.
- “One of the lessons learned – a big lesson – was that it was a mistake to let the negotiations with the senators dominate the public discourse,” said Jane Psaki.Biden’s former White House press secretary. “Rather than the rule of law influencing people’s lives, the people became fed up with disagreements about petty issues.”
Now, Biden’s challenge is to keep up the momentum to turn around a presidency fraught with low approval ratings and dramatic crises, Yasmin and Tyler note. That means motivating Democratic voters and convincing them of these victories is not only for Biden, but also for them.
Today, Senate Democrats voted to cut Rx drugs, health insurance, and energy spending — all while reducing the deficit and making the wealthiest corporations pay their fair share.
I ran to make government work for working families again.
That’s what this math works on – time.
— President Biden (@POTUS) August 7, 2022
Post Roe, some in the GOP will fight an uphill battle to provide more support for families
There is little combination. Conservatives are pushing to expand financial support for families. Now that abortion rights are not guaranteed nationwide. But their calls are mostly being met with the usual buzzsaw of opposition to GOP social spending, our colleagues Jeff Stein And Leigh Ann Caldwell Report it.
- Republicans completely rejected Biden’s bid To expand child care, preschool and national paid family leave.
- Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) clarified Declining abortions have done nothing to change the perception that new federal social programs are unnecessary.
- GOP aides and conservative policy analysts say they are skeptical That the Supreme Court’s decision will bring about a meaningful change in the party’s position.
But a handful of conservative lawmakers are pressing the issue. Republican Sens. Mitt Romney (Utah) and Blood frame (Fla.) At the forefront of the uphill battle, Romney has now introduced legislation to cut monthly checks. $250 per child Millions of American parents.
Meanwhile, the decision of the Supreme Court was rejected Roe v. Wade He encouraged conservative advocates for more generous family policies. Some influential anti-abortion and religious groups, such as Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life AmericaBacking ideas like Romney’s, he argues that the government now has a greater duty to support families.
It comes as Democrats believe that GOP resistance to changing positions on the issue could be a political liability for Republicans in November — and an opportunity for Democrats.
- On Wednesday: of House Rules Committee They meet to meet. On Friday for debate and votes on the inflation reduction law, our Post politics now Colleagues reported.
- Legal advocacy group for students He filed a federal complaint Yesterday Concerned with the regulatory agency National Health Service Corps To change the rules to solve the rules Penalties for health care workers Those who involuntarily break contracts to help with student debt Wall Street JournalS Rebecca Ballhaus He wrote.
- A group of 23 states led by Florida told the federal court. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Power is missing To order masks in transit, Reuters Reports.
- Extreme weather associated with climate change has worsened More than half of infectious diseases A study conducted yesterday indicated that people are dealing with international. Natural climate change.
Thanks for reading! See you all tomorrow.
[ad_2]
Source link
