https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2019/08/trumps-anti-obamacare-insurance-plans-are-ripping-people-off/?fbclid=IwAR3kurxRqLXFBgKdH9Phdu7ECCATqZVLPsaD__lzJeNMu7OlpNpuhEEatR4
"On average, the report found that, among the five health insurers that earn the most in short-term insurance premiums, 39.2 percent of premiums were going to pay for patients’ medical care. “Short-term health plans’ loss ratios are lower because they don’t cover nearly as many benefits,” Modern Healthcare writes. “Unlike Affordable Care Act-compliant plans, short-term plans can deny coverage to people with pre-existing health conditions and charge more based on health status. They are not required to and often don’t cover the 10 essential health benefits, including maternity care and prescription drugs.” ACA-compliant plans are required to spend 80 percent of premiums on medical care. Essentially, Obamacare set a cap on the percentage of profit health insurance companies can make off premiums, forcing them to spend the vast majority of their funds on actual medical services. If an insurance company ends up charging higher premiums than that 80 percent rate, the insurers have to send out rebates."
7/4/19
VA Privatization Bill Threatens Closure of Key Facilities
VA Privatization Bill Threatens Closure of Key Facilities:
"Veterans service organizations like the DAV, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), and Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) are opposed to any acceleration of the AIR Commission. In written testimony for the hearing, the Deputy National Legislative Director of the DAV, Adrian Atizado, stated that “if H.R. 3083 were enacted, and Secretary Wilkie were to accelerate the AIR process as he has repeatedly indicated his desire to do, it would fundamentally undermine the dynamic structure of the VA MISSION Act by forcing premature decisions on infrastructure before decisions on health care delivery have been finalized"."
"Veterans service organizations like the DAV, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), and Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) are opposed to any acceleration of the AIR Commission. In written testimony for the hearing, the Deputy National Legislative Director of the DAV, Adrian Atizado, stated that “if H.R. 3083 were enacted, and Secretary Wilkie were to accelerate the AIR process as he has repeatedly indicated his desire to do, it would fundamentally undermine the dynamic structure of the VA MISSION Act by forcing premature decisions on infrastructure before decisions on health care delivery have been finalized"."
Drug prices in 2019 are surging, with hikes at 5 times inflation
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/drug-prices-in-2019-are-surging-with-hikes-at-5-times-inflation/?fbclid=IwAR3c7ZzW7J2waP1gO1mqJJf40_85lkmHx055i1xACvbXm0hsTuWN3XxG_Cg
"Drug prices are rising because of a combination of pressure from shareholders to deliver higher profits and what Rea calls an "inelastic market." "It's a good that people need, in many cases in order to stay alive," he says. "You have a lot of flexibility to drive prices higher and higher." That's an issue with insulin, which Type 1 diabetics require to stay alive. Even though the medication was discovered nearly a century ago, its price has more than doubled over 5 years, causing financial hardship for many diabetics and prompting some to ration the medication to cut costs. In some cases, those decisions have proved fatal."
"Drug prices are rising because of a combination of pressure from shareholders to deliver higher profits and what Rea calls an "inelastic market." "It's a good that people need, in many cases in order to stay alive," he says. "You have a lot of flexibility to drive prices higher and higher." That's an issue with insulin, which Type 1 diabetics require to stay alive. Even though the medication was discovered nearly a century ago, its price has more than doubled over 5 years, causing financial hardship for many diabetics and prompting some to ration the medication to cut costs. In some cases, those decisions have proved fatal."
5/18/19
'Spoiler: Because Australia Has Universal Healthcare': Watch Ocasio-Cortez Ask Pharma CEO Why HIV Drug Costs $8 Overseas But $1,780 in the US
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/05/16/spoiler-because-australia-has-universal-healthcare-watch-ocasio-cortez-ask-pharma?fbclid=IwAR1JLwsjE6n0T_wHIqvySNxEHWktk9AdV4tIcg0jjYOcBXKNn0UHf-SKedw
"During a House hearing on Thursday, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez asked the CEO of one of America's largest pharmaceutical companies a simple but crucial question: Why does a life-saving HIV drug that costs $8 a month in Australia have a $2,000 price tag in the U.S.? Gilead chief executive Daniel O'Day declined to comment on the low price of Truvada for PrEP in Australia, but said the reason the cost is close to $2,000—"the current list price is $1,780," he said—in the United States is because the drug has "patent protection." As the Washington Post reported in March, the development of Truvada as a treatment for HIV was "almost fully funded by U.S. taxpayers." The U.S. government patented the treatment in 2015, according to the Post, but has "opted not to file an infringement suit to enforce" the patent even as Gilead—which argues the government patent is invalid—rakes in billions of dollars in profits from Truvada. Ocasio-Cortez highlighted these facts during the House Oversight and Reform Committee hearing on Thursday."
"During a House hearing on Thursday, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez asked the CEO of one of America's largest pharmaceutical companies a simple but crucial question: Why does a life-saving HIV drug that costs $8 a month in Australia have a $2,000 price tag in the U.S.? Gilead chief executive Daniel O'Day declined to comment on the low price of Truvada for PrEP in Australia, but said the reason the cost is close to $2,000—"the current list price is $1,780," he said—in the United States is because the drug has "patent protection." As the Washington Post reported in March, the development of Truvada as a treatment for HIV was "almost fully funded by U.S. taxpayers." The U.S. government patented the treatment in 2015, according to the Post, but has "opted not to file an infringement suit to enforce" the patent even as Gilead—which argues the government patent is invalid—rakes in billions of dollars in profits from Truvada. Ocasio-Cortez highlighted these facts during the House Oversight and Reform Committee hearing on Thursday."
WATCH As Congressman Bawls In Emotional Defense Of Corporate Profits
https://crooksandliars.com/2019/05/watch-congressman-bawls-emotional-defense?fbclid=IwAR1QQ37_T1eyKkfYhORg5GhlclvrhpDQ0sr6sDU0ltIDrt1hNVtrmCtvp68
"When Rep. Katie Hill (D-CA) questioned the obscene amount of money a giant pharmaceutical company was making yesterday in a congressional hearing it all proved just too much for Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) to stand. He lit into a fiery and emotional defense of price-gouging the American public, the likes of which not often seen except in dystopian novels."
"When Rep. Katie Hill (D-CA) questioned the obscene amount of money a giant pharmaceutical company was making yesterday in a congressional hearing it all proved just too much for Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) to stand. He lit into a fiery and emotional defense of price-gouging the American public, the likes of which not often seen except in dystopian novels."
5/13/19
Over 40 states are suing generic drug companies for alleged conspiracy to hike prices
https://thinkprogress.org/states-are-suing-generic-drug-manufacturers-for-alleged-conspiracy-to-inflate-prices-9ecb18dbffc8/?fbclid=IwAR3gtKx-bcZmfthQRA9ER1jsZG6KsMJNPO7MKyA1xxsLMHGdvoap47oEgKI
"According to the lawsuit filed in Connecticut on Friday by 43 states and Puerto Rico, evidence shows these drug manufacturers embarked upon “one of the most egregious and damaging price-fixing conspiracies in the history of the United States.” Investigators allege that the companies worked together to artificially inflate and manipulate prices for over 100 different types of generic drugs — including diabetes, cancer, and arthritis treatments. The lawsuit implicates 20 firms and names 15 individual senior executives that oversee sales, marketing, and pricing. According to investigators, the drugs named in the suit account for billions of dollars of sales in the United States — a country which already has some of the highest drug prices in the world, especially compared to those where the government regulates or negotiates prices of new drugs."
"According to the lawsuit filed in Connecticut on Friday by 43 states and Puerto Rico, evidence shows these drug manufacturers embarked upon “one of the most egregious and damaging price-fixing conspiracies in the history of the United States.” Investigators allege that the companies worked together to artificially inflate and manipulate prices for over 100 different types of generic drugs — including diabetes, cancer, and arthritis treatments. The lawsuit implicates 20 firms and names 15 individual senior executives that oversee sales, marketing, and pricing. According to investigators, the drugs named in the suit account for billions of dollars of sales in the United States — a country which already has some of the highest drug prices in the world, especially compared to those where the government regulates or negotiates prices of new drugs."
5/5/19
'Siding With Big Pharma at Expense of the American People,' Republicans Warn CEOs Not to Cooperate With Drug Price Probe
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/04/09/siding-big-pharma-expense-american-people-republicans-warn-ceos-not-cooperate-drug?fbclid=IwAR1uZVgoOaXeLXse_TF2To3rdpMHksLCp_3HcHrkhCW8Q3f98pwOnEpE1Qw
"As Democrats on the House Oversight Committee attempt to investigate soaring drug prices in the U.S., Republicans are warning the CEOs of some of America's largest pharmaceutical companies against cooperating with the probe."
"As Democrats on the House Oversight Committee attempt to investigate soaring drug prices in the U.S., Republicans are warning the CEOs of some of America's largest pharmaceutical companies against cooperating with the probe."
Jim Jordan, Mark Meadows warn Big Pharma execs not to cooperate with drug-price probe
https://www.salon.com/2019/04/10/jim-jordan-mark-meadows-warn-big-pharma-execs-not-to-cooperate-with-drug-price-probe/?fbclid=IwAR1kFbDUXpA6LWWv_NvQZr3EV5jn5jrwtLMdQUHgNq0Xz0z-NblcVJkttjU
"Two prominent Republican members of the House Freedom Caucus warned pharmaceutical companies not to cooperate with a House probe into their drug pricing."
"Two prominent Republican members of the House Freedom Caucus warned pharmaceutical companies not to cooperate with a House probe into their drug pricing."
GOP Reps Suck Up To Big Pharma, Warn CEOs Not To Cooperate With Investigation
https://crooksandliars.com/2019/04/gop-telling-drug-companies-not-cooperate?fbclid=IwAR0yY76GT_Ci3Pl3zQoX0z65ahmJKC0xKWcrmBnZETa8vO9BwUvwvoBNmjE
"Republicans Mark Meadows and Jim Jordan from the House Oversight Committee sent letters to CEOs to drug companies encouraging them to not cooperate with any investigations being conducted by the Democratic led committee. They warned them that any information they provided "could be leaked to the public" and stated that this could affect stock prices. The letters alleged that the Democrats may be trying to "collect the information in order to bring down the industry’s stock prices." Wow. That is quite the threat. So what is this investigation about? The House Oversight Committee is looking into how the industry sets prescription drug prices. That is it. No industry secrets."
"Republicans Mark Meadows and Jim Jordan from the House Oversight Committee sent letters to CEOs to drug companies encouraging them to not cooperate with any investigations being conducted by the Democratic led committee. They warned them that any information they provided "could be leaked to the public" and stated that this could affect stock prices. The letters alleged that the Democrats may be trying to "collect the information in order to bring down the industry’s stock prices." Wow. That is quite the threat. So what is this investigation about? The House Oversight Committee is looking into how the industry sets prescription drug prices. That is it. No industry secrets."
3/5/19
Medicare for All Will Drastically Lower Prescription Drug Prices by Taking on Pharma’s Greed
https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/03/01/medicare-all-will-drastically-lower-prescription-drug-prices-taking-pharmas-greed?fbclid=IwAR1EyDzuDQIBW1Riu9EWMOU-xW3z9OG3EM_ZpJFTsH9cCNdADcijMNzkUoY
"The Medicare for All Act includes a key provision, modeled after the Medicare Negotiation and Competitive Licensing Act, which would lower drug prices for all Americans by allowing the government to negotiate lower drug prices with corporations. And if a corporation refused to lower the price and threatened patients’ access to the medication, generic competition would be allowed using a competitive license."
"The Medicare for All Act includes a key provision, modeled after the Medicare Negotiation and Competitive Licensing Act, which would lower drug prices for all Americans by allowing the government to negotiate lower drug prices with corporations. And if a corporation refused to lower the price and threatened patients’ access to the medication, generic competition would be allowed using a competitive license."
3/3/19
'One of the Best Cases For Single Payer I've Ever Seen': Watch Dr. Adam Gaffney Take on Skeptics at Fox
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/03/02/one-best-cases-single-payer-ive-ever-seen-watch-dr-adam-gaffney-take-skeptics-fox?fbclid=IwAR2k9GWZA53pjTCAynHEIzpTt9AAAk3Q8NEXzBqi100sR3M83ln1fe-7L9M
"Noting that every other highly developed nation has universal healthcare, Gaffney pointed out to the panel that "overall, the healthcare systems of these countries are quite high quality. Overall, they have higher life expectancies than we do; they have lower infant mortality... Overall, these nations achieve better results with less money"."
"Noting that every other highly developed nation has universal healthcare, Gaffney pointed out to the panel that "overall, the healthcare systems of these countries are quite high quality. Overall, they have higher life expectancies than we do; they have lower infant mortality... Overall, these nations achieve better results with less money"."
3/1/19
Who Else Might Like Medicare for All? Retired Coal Miners Who Just Had Their Health Benefits Ripped Away
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/02/18/who-else-might-medicare-all-retired-coal-miners-who-just-had-their-health-benefits?fbclid=IwAR064GTAEgctZYF9Je9jHU6N3alULRpOx0V2sK1ZvltWFhRxdWtznoY-UMQ
"On Friday, a ruling by a federal bankruptcy judge in Texas showed why retired coal miners led to believe their health benefits would be with them for life were wrong and at least one advocate for Medicare for All noted that this is just one more reason why a healthcare system that includes everyone and excludes nobody would be a lifeline for workers which capitalism has pulled the rug out from under."
"On Friday, a ruling by a federal bankruptcy judge in Texas showed why retired coal miners led to believe their health benefits would be with them for life were wrong and at least one advocate for Medicare for All noted that this is just one more reason why a healthcare system that includes everyone and excludes nobody would be a lifeline for workers which capitalism has pulled the rug out from under."
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