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TRUMP VOWS TO PROTECT MEDICARE, A PROGRAM REPUBLICANS HAVE SOUGHT TO OVERHAUL: In signing an executive order to strengthen Medicare Thursday, President Trump positioned himself as the guardian of the government healthcare program for seniors that Republicans originally opposed as socialism and have long sought to overhaul.
The executive order, called Protecting and Improving Medicare For Our Nation’s Seniors, is meant to boost Medicare Advantage, an alternative to traditional Medicare that allows for private plans approved by the government.
The order is meant to offer a contrast between Trump and liberal Democrats who favor the Medicare for All Act, which would upend the current healthcare system to enroll the entire population in a government plan. Trump called the idea “socialist” and on Thursday pledged that under his administration, “Medicare would never be taken away from you.”
“What the president is doing today is putting a stake in the ground, saying he’s going to be the one defending and protecting Medicare for our seniors,” Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said Thursday on Fox Business. “He’s going to be improving Medicare, and he’s not going to let anyone touch their Medicare. That hurts them.”
But this type of framing, of stressing the importance of protecting Medicare, is out of step with mainstream conservative policy thinking. Conservatives generally point out that Medicare faces significant funding problems and that it’s one of the biggest drivers of the country’s debt. The program pays out more than it takes in, particularly because so many baby boomers are aging into the program when they hit 65.
“Conservatives have for a long time argued that our entitlements, with Medicare first and foremost, are unsustainable, and we have to do something looking in the long run, and now even in the short run, to make sure these programs are even around to serve people,” said Christopher Holt, director of healthcare policy at the conservative American Action Forum.
Government forecasts show the part of Medicare that pays for hospital care is expected to run out of full funding in 2026. At that point, the program would pay a diminishing amount of reimbursement for medical costs. While Democrats would see such a crossroads as a reason to raise more revenue, Republican leaders have instead said the financing for plans should be revamped.
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.
WITH NEW MAKEUP, SUPREME COURT TAKES ANOTHER LOOK AT 2016 ABORTION RESTRICTIONS: The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a challenge to a Louisiana abortion law that sets requirements on doctors, a case that could lead to the court overturning a major abortion-related decision justices made under a different bench makeup. The Louisiana law requires doctors who provide abortions to have admitting privileges at a local hospital. If it ultimately goes into effect, two of Louisiana’s three abortion clinics are expected to close because they would not be able to meet the requirement. The rules are similar to a 2016 Supreme Court case, Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt, in which justices struck down the rules.
ABORTION RIGHTS GROUP ASKS JUDGE TO HALT TWO OKLAHOMA LAWS: The Center for Reproductive Rights has filed an appeal asking the Oklahoma Supreme Court to block a law that bans dilation and evacuation and another mandating women wait 72 hours between receiving counseling about an abortion and having one. The D&E procedure, which involves surgical tools and suction, is common for abortions conducted after 14 weeks into a pregnancy. The law had been blocked since 2015, but this month an Oklahoma state judge upheld it, which would allow the ban to take effect.
THC-LINKED LUNG ILLNESSES SURPASS 1,000: The number of lung injuries associated with vaping THC, the chemical in marijuana that causes a high, has reached 1,080, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The number of cases increased by 275 since last week. Dr. Anne Schuchat, CDC principal deputy director, said the outbreak does not appear to be abating. Officials are still conducting tests to pinpoint the exact problem causing the illnesses, but have stressed that people “particularly” shouldn’t use vape products if they have THC. Health experts have been careful not to blame marijuana alone, because 17% of people are still reporting that they only vaped nicotine. Additional testing and interviews from the CDC showed that at least 78% of the 578 cases examined showed THC use.
MILLIONS OF TEENS USED FLAVORED TOBACCO IN 2018: The rate of teens in middle and high school using e-cigarettes from 2015 to 2018 increased, according to the CDC. In 2018, 3.15 million teens used flavored tobacco products, which include e-cigarettes. The report’s findings support the Trump administration’s view that an overall ban on flavored tobacco products is necessary to turn teens away from the products.
MAJORITY OF VIOLENT DEATHS IN 2016 WERE SUICIDES: In 2016, a large majority of violent deaths were suicides, according to data from the CDC and Prevention. Across 32 states, 62.3% of violent deaths were suicides, while homicides accounted for 24.9%. Most of the suicides documented often coincided with mental health, substance abuse, or physical issues.
FTC DEMANDS E-CIGARETTE MAKERS HAND OVER ALL MARKETING INFORMATION: The Federal Trade Commission has ordered six vape manufacturing giants — Juul Labs, Nu Mark LLC, R.J. Reynolds Vapor Company, Fontem U.S. Inc., Logic Technology Development LLC, and NJOY LLC — to hand over information about all sales, promotions, and advertising tactics used from 2015 to 2018. The FTC demanded they share all documentation by January 2020 as part of its goal to “assist the Commission, policy makers, and the public to better understand the rapidly growing e-cigarette market.”
FDA APPROVES THE SECOND DRUG TO PREVENT HIV: The Food and Drug Administration approved the second drug to reduce the risk of contracting HIV through sex, called Descovy. “This approval… helps further efforts by the FDA and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to facilitate the development of HIV treatment and prevention options to reduce new HIV infections,” Dr. Jeffrey Murray, deputy director of the FDA’s Division of Antiviral Products said Thursday. The development of preventative measures is part of the Trump administration’s wider plan to end HIV in 10 years, which Trump announced in his 2019 State of the Union Address. The goal of his initiative is to reduce the number of new HIV infections in the U.S. by 75% within five years, and then by at least 90% within 10 years.
SANDERS IS GETTING BACK ON THE HORSE. WELL, THE DEBATE STAGE: Senator Bernie Sanders will participate in the Oct. 15 Democratic presidential primary debate even though he canceled campaign events and postponed the campaign’s first major Iowa TV ad buy that was set to start on Thursday so he could recover from an unexpected heart procedure. Sanders had stents placed in an artery after discovering a blockage. “Bernie is up and about. Yesterday, he spent much of the day talking with staff about policies, cracking jokes with the nurses and doctors, and speaking with his family on the phone. His doctors are pleased with his progress, and there has been no need for any additional procedures,” Jane Sanders, the senator’s wife, said in a statement.
The Rundown
WHYY Five Pa. ski resorts sold amid Purdue Pharma bankruptcy
The Associated Press States say OxyContin maker Purdue should not pay bonuses
ProPublica “It’s very unethical”: audio shows hospital kept vegetative patient on life support to boost survival rates
Reuters Massachusetts set to defend vaping ban, toughest in nation, in court
Mercury News Attorneys say disgraced Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes isn’t paying them
Calendar
FRIDAY | Oct. 4
Congress in recess.
WEDNESDAY | Oct. 9
Noon. 1789 Massachusetts Avenue NW. American Enterprise Institute event on “Who benefits? The winners and losers of Medicare for All, Obamacare, and other health care proposals.” Details.
FRIDAY | Oct. 11
Noon. Dirksen G-50. National Institute for Health Care Management Foundation briefing on “How to Build Healthier Communities: From the Opioid Crisis to Social Determinants.” Details.
