September 17th, 2021
The Out-of-Pocket Health News Digest
Below you will find briefs about recent health policy news stories. Our hope is for students to have an information outlet at their fingertips to keep up-to-date with the most pressing news stories in health policy.
This compilation is produced by the HPSA Education Committee: Hannah Lane (and next time, you! Apply for the education committee today!)
Democrats are divided over prescription drug prices
by Hannah Lane
In August, the Senate approved a $3.5 trillion budget resolution, the first step toward passing the spending plan. The plan would transform the U.S. economy over ten years by investing in free community college, climate initiatives, paid leave, child care, and health care. The bill intends for these programs to be funded by tax hikes on the wealthy and larger companies. In order to approve the final legislation, Democrats will have to keep every member of their Senate caucus. 

Disagreement brewed earlier this week when a provision regarding prescription drug prices was called into question. The provision would link prices of certain prescription drugs to the prices that are paid overseas and implement aggressive price caps. Democrats had aimed to save the government around $500 billion over a decade with the pharmaceutical industry footing the bill. Three House Democrats on a key committee voted against the measure on Wednesday resulting in the legislation being defeated. The three Democrats stated that they felt that the bill would harm innovation from drug companies and instead offered a scaled-back measure. The original provision passed in other committees keeping it in play for later in the process. Additionally, Democrats are planning on using reconciliation to push it forward; however, they cannot afford even one opposition in the Senate.

Democrats predicted that the legislation would result in drug prices falling by more than half while also lowering prices for employer and individual health plans. Senators are confident that regardless of this setback, drug pricing reform will make its way into the final bill. 

Sources: NPR, CNBC, NYT, NYT (2), The Hill
Justice Department attempts to halt Texas abortion law
by Hannah Lane
An extremely restrictive Texas aboriton law went into effect last week that banned all abortions after a heartbeat is detected. In most cases, a heartbeat is detected at six weeks of pregnancy. This law makes no exceptions for rape, incest, or sexual abuse. Additionally, this law includes something that has never been done before: it incentivizes the public to police abortions. Anyone in the state of Texas can sue abortion providers or report someone that they suspect is giving or aiding in giving illegal abortions, and the person who sues will get a $10,000 reward if the law suit is successful. 

The Supreme Court has made the decision to let this law stand while they further deliberate the constitutionality of the law. The law does two things to complicate this debate, 1) the law puts the power in the hands of the people for enforcement instead of putting the burden on the state, and 2) it prosecutes providers and anyone who assists instead of the person getting the abortion. Because of these reasons, it does directly not violate the precedent of Roe v. Wade.

Last week, the Department of Justice sued the state of Texas over this ban. The lawsuit argues that the Texas law is unconstitutional because of the roundabout way it avoids prosecution from the federal government. 

This week, the Department of Justice filed an emergency order asking for a temporary halt in the Texas law. The Justice Department cites many reasons why they believe the law is unconstitutional, including that the law infringes on women's constitutional rights and violates the 14th amendment. Additionally, the Justice Department states that the law violates the Supremacy Clause which places federal law above state law. The Justice Department asks that if the order be put in place, the ban be immediately halted and that anyone who tries to enforce the law should be informed that they no longer have the authority.

President Biden has been quoted calling the law "extreme" and said that the law "blatantly violates the constitutional right established under Roe v. Wade and upheld as precedent for nearly half a century." There will be a hearing on the emergency order on October 1st, 2021.

Obesity now affecting at least 35% of population in 16 states
by Hannah Lane
The CDC reported this week that number of states with over 35% of its population being classified as obese has nearly doubled. Up from nine in 2018, 16 states have now reached the level set by the CDC that defines obesity as high. Researchers believe that the stress and sedentary lifestyles as a result of COVID-19 did have a hand in the recent increase, but they say that is not the only reason. Obesity trends have been going up for a long time, and one researcher states that it is due to "changes in our food supply and increased consumption of processed foods." He believes that this is exacerbated by the ease at which to get processed foods.

However, it is important to notice that obesity is not affecting everyone in the same way. Minorities have been shown to be hit much harder by obesity and its negative effects than their white counterparts. Among states that have sufficient racial and ethnic data, 35 states reported over 35% of Black residents are obese, 22 states reported that level for Hispanic residents, and 7 states had the same prevelance for white residents. These disparities are linked to socioeconomic conditions, as healthier foods often cost more. 

Those that are obese have higher chances of severe health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, certain cancers. Additionally, obesity has been shown to decrease mental health and increase chances of hospitalization and death due to COVID-19. 

The 16 states affected are Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia with recent additions Delaware, Iowa, Ohio and Texas. 
One-Liners
  • Immigration: The U.S. is now requiring all immigrant applicants to have their COVID-19 vaccine. This is just another vaccine added to the list of immunizations immigrants are already required to have before coming into the United States (NPR). 
  • China: China has reported that they have fully vaccinated 1 billion people as of this week. That includes 2.16 billion vaccine doses and more than 70% of its population (USNews). 
  • Nicki Minaj: After Nicki Minaj tweeted about her vaccine hesitancy, the White House offerd to call her and connect her with a doctor to answer her questions about the safety and effectiveness of vaccines (CBS).
  • Boosters: The FDA is meeting today to discuss the need for COVID-19 vaccine boosters. Third doses are already approved for immunocompromised folks, but not for the general public (CNN).
  • Local news: This week, county commissioners in Washtenaw allocated $24.7 million of relief funds. Highlights include money toward broadband internet, child care access, and children's savings accounts (MLive).