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Pharmaceutical lobby sues Trump administration over most-favored-nation pricing

Pharmaceutical lobby sues Trump administration over most-favored-nation pricing

By Michael Erman Oct 7 (Reuters) - The pharmaceutical industry's top lobby group on Wednesday sued to invalidate one piece of the Trump administration's efforts to benchmark US drug prices to lower costs overseas in the Medicare health insurance program, arguing that it is an illegal overreach by

Pharma lobby sues Trump administration over Medicare drug price cuts

Pharma lobby sues Trump administration over Medicare drug price cuts

By Michael Erman Oct 7 (Reuters) - The pharmaceutical industry's top lobby group on Wednesday sued to invalidate the Trump administration's efforts to benchmark US drug prices to lower costs overseas in the Medicare health insurance program, arguing that it is an illegal government overreach.

Representatives DeSaulnier and Matsui Introduce Bill to Strengthen Food Allergy Protections in Child Nutrition Programs

Representatives DeSaulnier and Matsui Introduce Bill to Strengthen Food Allergy Protections in Child Nutrition Programs

Representatives Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA) and Doris Matsui (D-CA) have introduced the Strengthening Protections for Children with Food Allergies Act (H.R. 10228) in Congress. This proposed legislation aims to enhance food allergy training requirements across various federal child nutrition programs. Additionally, the bill seeks to expand education and outreach initiatives concerning food allergies for families participating in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). The introduction of this bill reflects a growing recognition of the need for more comprehensive support and safety measures for children with food allergies within federally funded nutrition programs.

Representative Raskin Proposes Smithsonian Exhibit for Trump Administration Artifacts

Representative Raskin Proposes Smithsonian Exhibit for Trump Administration Artifacts

Representative Jamie Raskin (D-MD) has introduced a bill that would mandate the Smithsonian Institution to collect and exhibit materials from the Trump administration. This initiative aims to preserve items such as banners featuring President Trump's portrait, which were displayed outside federal buildings like the Labor Department and the Department of Justice. Raskin describes these materials as 'propaganda' and seeks to ensure they are documented as historical artifacts. The proposed exhibition at the National Museum of American History would focus on what Raskin characterizes as the 'rise of governmental propaganda, corruption, and authoritarianism' during that period. He emphasizes the importance of teaching future generations about this era to prevent its recurrence, contrasting this effort with what he perceives as attempts to suppress historical narratives, particularly concerning significant American struggles like slavery and the civil rights movement. The bill intends to create a permanent recor...

How Mark Cuban's drug prices compare to corporate-owned pharmacies

How Mark Cuban's drug prices compare to corporate-owned pharmacies

Employers increasingly are scrutinizing pharmacy benefit managers and overall spending on drugs. A study finds Mark Cuban's pharmacy might be a fix.

Senate Passes John A. Hauser Mental Health in Aviation Act to Modernize FAA Regulations

Senate Passes John A. Hauser Mental Health in Aviation Act to Modernize FAA Regulations

The U.S. Senate has unanimously passed two bipartisan bills aimed at reforming mental health regulations and medication transparency for pilots and air traffic controllers. The primary legislation, the John A. Hauser Mental Health in Aviation Act, mandates the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to update its mental health rules and allocates up to $15 million annually from 2026 to 2028 for recruiting and training aviation medical examiners, including psychiatrists. The second bill, the Aviation Medication Transparency Act, requires the FAA to publish a clear, annually updated list of approved medications for aviation personnel. These bills were sponsored by Senators John Hoeven (R-North Dakota) and Tammy Duckworth (D-Illinois). The John A. Hauser Act is named after a University of North Dakota aviation student who died by suicide in 2021, whose family has since advocated for changes in aviation mental health policies.

Factbox-Trump doles out billions to voters ahead of midterm elections

Factbox-Trump doles out billions to voters ahead of midterm elections

By Andy Sullivan WASHINGTON, Oct 7 (Reuters) - US President Donald Trump is sending $2.35 billion in direct payments to millions of Americans just weeks before the November 3 elections that will determine whether his Republicans will maintain control of the US Congress.

Senate Unanimously Passes Bipartisan Bill Extending Emergency Care Reporting Deadline for IHS Patients

Senate Unanimously Passes Bipartisan Bill Extending Emergency Care Reporting Deadline for IHS Patients

The U.S. Senate has unanimously passed bipartisan legislation, the IHS Emergency Claims Parity Act, which aims to extend the deadline for Indian Health Service (IHS) patients to report emergency medical care received outside IHS facilities. Currently, most IHS patients are required to notify the IHS Purchased and Referred Care program within 72 hours of receiving emergency treatment from a non-IHS provider. This new bill, co-led by U.S. Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), would extend this reporting period from 72 hours to 15 days. The legislation is designed to alleviate the burden on patients who are recovering from emergencies and may find it difficult to complete administrative paperwork within the tight 72-hour window. The existing 30-day reporting period for elderly or disabled IHS beneficiaries will remain unchanged. The bill now proceeds to the U.S. House of Representatives for further consideration.

Representative Salud Carbajal and Representative Lloyd Smucker Reintroduce Bipartisan Veterans' Legislation

Representative Salud Carbajal and Representative Lloyd Smucker Reintroduce Bipartisan Veterans' Legislation

Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA 24th District) has partnered with Representative Lloyd Smucker (R-PA 11th District) to reintroduce the Home for the Brave Act. This bipartisan legislative effort aims to provide housing-related support for veterans. Additionally, Representative Smucker, with Democratic Representative Don Davis, reintroduced the VA Billing Accountability Act, which addresses medical billing issues for veterans. These actions highlight a collaborative approach in Congress to tackle critical challenges faced by the veteran community, focusing on both financial and housing stability. Representative Carbajal is a veteran himself, and his office emphasizes his commitment to improving veterans' well-being and quality of life. The reintroduction of these bills signifies ongoing efforts to refine and strengthen the support systems available to those who have served in the U.S. armed forces.

Representative Aaron Bean Co-Sponsors Bipartisan PLAN Act to Address Long-Term Care Planning

Representative Aaron Bean Co-Sponsors Bipartisan PLAN Act to Address Long-Term Care Planning

Representative Aaron Bean has co-sponsored the bipartisan PLAN Act in Congress, alongside Representative Tom Suozzi. This legislative initiative aims to enhance Americans' understanding of long-term care needs and encourage proactive planning for such care. The PLAN Act is one of several proposals currently in Congress designed to address the growing challenges associated with long-term care and caregiving in the United States. Other legislative efforts include the WISH Act, which proposes a federal catastrophic long-term care insurance program, and various approaches from Representative Debbie Dingell focusing on Medicare at Home, expanding Medicaid home and community-based services, and supporting the direct-care workforce. These diverse proposals highlight a collective effort to tackle the multifaceted issues surrounding long-term care, emphasizing the need for both public and private sector involvement.

U.S. Rep. Randy Weber and Sen. John Cornyn Introduce Bill to Boost Brazoria County Ecotourism

U.S. Rep. Randy Weber and Sen. John Cornyn Introduce Bill to Boost Brazoria County Ecotourism

U.S. Rep. Randy Weber (R-Friendswood) and U.S. Sen. John Cornyn have co-sponsored the Lone Star Coastal National Recreation Area Act. This proposed legislation aims to establish a national recreation area along the Brazoria County coast in Texas. The primary objective of the bill is to enhance ecotourism in the region, drawing more visitors to its natural attractions. The initiative is designed to leverage the unique ecological features of the Brazoria County coastline, promoting conservation while simultaneously stimulating local economic growth through increased tourism.

Medicare Drug Price Negotiations to Impact 15 Additional Medications in 2027, Including Ozempic and Rybelsus

Medicare Drug Price Negotiations to Impact 15 Additional Medications in 2027, Including Ozempic and Rybelsus

Medicare's ability to negotiate drug prices, established by the Inflation Reduction Act, is set to expand in 2027 with negotiated prices for an additional 15 drugs taking effect on January 1. This list includes popular medications such as Ozempic, Rybelsus, and Wegovy. These negotiated prices represent the maximum amount Medicare drug plans can be charged for these selected drugs. This initiative aims to reduce drug costs for beneficiaries, building on the program that saw prices for the first 10 negotiated drugs implemented in 2026. The federal government has also adjusted the 2027 Part D out-of-pocket threshold to $2,400, an increase from $2,100 in 2026, and the deductible for the standard Part D benefit will rise from $615 to $700. These changes are part of ongoing efforts to manage prescription drug costs within the Medicare system.