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SENATE DEMOCRATS AGAIN SPOTLIGHT PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS: Senate Democrats are forcing a vote as early as Wednesday on a resolution that they are framing as a reversal of President Trump’s attack on pre-existing conditions.
What the resolution actually focuses on is reversing guidance that the Trump administration put out about “innovation waivers” in Obamacare. The waivers, also known as “1332 waivers” for the relevant section of the law, were included in Obamacare so that states could apply with the federal government to design their own healthcare systems.
For the latest resolution, Democrats are raising the alarm about the menu of options for waivers that the Trump administration put out a year ago — including, critically, giving states the option of applying to have federal subsidies go to people who buy health insurance plans that don’t cover pre-existing conditions.
One sidenote, though: It doesn’t look like any states have applied to do this.
Instead, most states that have used the innovation waivers to implement reinsurance funds, which inject federal dollars into health insurance marketplaces and have been highly effective at lowering premiums heading into this year’s Obamacare open enrollment.
Still, the vote is a messaging opportunity for Democrats. They’re advancing the resolution through the Congressional Review Act, which provides for a floor vote without the permission of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. The bill would need a simple majority to pass, but could still be vetoed by Trump.
The vote will put all senators on the record about where they stand on the matter. Democrats have been pushing Republicans to show they are committed to protecting pre-existing conditions, and will use any votes against the resolution to say that specific members are talking out of both sides of their mouth.
Good morning and welcome to the Washington Examiner’s Daily on Healthcare! This newsletter is written by senior healthcare reporter Kimberly Leonard (@LeonardKL) and healthcare reporter Cassidy Morrison (@CassMorrison94). You can reach us with tips, calendar items, or suggestions at [email protected]. If someone forwarded you this email and you’d like to receive it regularly, you can subscribe here.
BIG CDC STUDY FINDS MOST VAPING-RELATED INJURY PATIENTS USED THC: The Centers for Disease Control found that 86% of 867 surveyed lung injury patients had used THC e-liquids, vaping liquids made from the psychoactive chemical in marijuana, and 34% had used them exclusively before getting sick. Most patients had used THC and nicotine vaping liquids simultaneously, but the latest report bolsters what public health experts have said about THC being the most likely contributing factor in 1,604 lung injury cases and 34 deaths.
HOUSE PASSES LANDMARK BILL TO RESTRICT ONLINE E-CIGARETTE SALES: The House passed Democrat Rosa DeLauro’s bill Monday to restrict online vaping sales and mandate that a person over the legal tobacco purchasing age must sign for the package when it makes it to the buyer’s home. The bill is the first piece of legislation of its kind.
The House passed another five healthcare bills Monday, including reauthorization of funding for the Health Resources and Services Administration to increase diversity in the medical field, provide geriatric care training, and improve geriatric care training. Another bill would reauthorize programs administered by HRSA to provide nurses with improved training, loan repayment options, and scholarships to advance their training.
THE DAUNTING BUDGET MATH FOR ‘MEDICARE FOR ALL’: The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget released an analysis of funding options for “Medicare for all” — and they don’t look good.
To offset the plan, according to the group, the federal government would have to institute a 32% payroll tax, impose a 25% income surtax, or more than double corporate and individual taxes, among other options that look to be at, or beyond, the extreme edge of what is feasible.
The CRFB, which advocates for lower deficits, also noted that Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders could scale back the benefits afforded Americans under “Medicare for all.” For example, the government could save a significant amount of money if it doesn’t cover vision, dental, and hearing aids.
BIDEN CLAIMS THAT RIVAL DEMOCRATS ARE MOVING TOWARD HIS POSITION ON HEALTHCARE: In speaking to campaign donors Monday, presidential candidate Joe Biden claimed that rival Democrats are moving toward his position on healthcare, and away from the Warren/Sanders call for a $30 trillion-plus “Medicare for all” plan.
“Notice the last debate they’re all now adopting the Biden plan, Medicare for those who want it,” Biden said at the event in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
STUDY EXAMINES LINK BETWEEN DOWN SYNDROME AND DEMENTIA: A study funded by the National Institutes of Health used Medicaid claims to find out how early someone with Down syndrome would develop dementia. The study, published in JAMA Neurology, found a 40% chance that a person with Down syndrome age 40 to 54 years old would file a dementia claim over the next 11 years and that there was a 67% chance that a person with Down syndrome age 55 or older would file such a claim. Researchers have been looking into why about half of people with Down syndrome also develop dementia.
OPINION: CONFISCATING WEALTH OF ALL BILLIONAIRES WON’T PAY FOR THREE YEARS OF ‘MEDICARE FOR ALL’
The Rundown
The Wall Street Journal Juul to cut about 500 jobs
The CT Mirror As open enrollment approaches, health officials use census data to reach uninsured
The Hill Harris: ‘I knew I’d be called a flip-flopper’ on ‘Medicare for All’
BBC ‘Game changing’ tuberculosis vaccine a step closer
Bloomberg Facebook wants to offer you advice on preventive healthcare
Calendar
WEDNESDAY | Oct. 30
9 a.m. Bipartisan Policy Center. 1225 I St NW. Event on surprise medical billing. Details.
10 a.m. National Press Club. 529 14th St. NW. Physician organizations will call for tighter regulations on e-cigarettes. Details.
10 a.m. Rayburn 2123. House Energy and Commerce’s Health Subcommittee to hold hearing on “Safeguarding Global Pharmaceutical Supply Chains in a Global Economy.” Details.
2 p.m. 215 Dirksen. Senate Finance Health Subcommittee hearing on “Medicaid: Compliance with Eligibility Requirements.” Details.
THURSDAY | Oct. 31
9 a.m.-6 p.m. 1615 H St. NW. U.S. Chamber of Commerce event on “The Business of Health: Transforming with Transparency.” Details.
FRIDAY | Nov. 1
House in recess.
MONDAY | Nov. 4
Nov. 4-5. Capital Hilton. Patient-Centered Primary Care Collaborative Annual Conference. Details.
