March 15th, 2022
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: Brynna Thigpen, Christopher Whitlock, Easheta Shah, Hannah Lane, Hassan Kourani, Jourdan Clements, and Lizzy Peppercorn
Inadequate Online Food Labeling in the US
by Lizzy Peppercorn
As online shopping continues to grow, the online food shopping environment has also grown, especially during the pandemic with the rise of grocery store delivery services. However, research from the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University and NYU School of Public Health has analyzed the gap in food labeling requirements in the online retail food environment. 

The research analyzed 10 commonly used products (mostly bread, cereals and drinks) across 9 major online grocery retailers. The products analyzed are all products that are required by the FDA to display a standardized information panel with nutrition facts, ingredientes, and allergens. However, potential allergens were only listed on 11.4% of the products. Nutrition and ingredient information were both only displayed on around 50% of the analyzed products. Further, marketing claims such as “low sodium” were displayed on over 60% of the products. 

The researchers also reviewed which federal agencies had legal authorities to require online food retailers to display nutritional information. The FDA, the Federal Trade Commission, and SNAP retailers were all identified as having some form of regulatory authority over online food labeling. The researchers' analysis called on these agencies to increase online food labeling regulations so that consumers can make informed decisions about their health. 

It is essential that food labeling is available and accurate so that consumers can not only protect themselves from allergens, but can be aware of the nutritional value of what they are purchasing online. US law requires nutrition, allergen and ingredient labeling on all physical packaging of food products. These regulations must be extended to online retailers as the market for online grocery shopping grows. 
Proposals Targeting High Insulin Costs Gaining Bipartisan Traction
by Hassan Kourani
With the future of The Biden Administration’s Build Back Better increasingly uncertain, Congressional Democrats have begun looking at the prospects of bringing individual provisions of the bill to the floor as stand alone bills. Amongst the proposals where Democrats see potential for bipartisan support is the capping of insulin prices at $35 per month. High and rising drug prices has long been a legislative priority for both parties.

Senator Raphael Warnock (D-GA) is expected to introduce the insulin cap as stand alone legislation in the coming weeks. According to Axios, up to 20% of Congressional Republicans have previously expressed interest in legislation addressing insulin prices. 

The bill will still still face procedural hurdles in the Senate, namely the filibuster which would require 60 votes to overcome. Warnock has indicated that he had received positive reception from members of the Republican caucus, although no member has openly expressed support for this particular proposal yet.

Democrats have also expressed interest in passing this reform through reconciliation, but because this is not a budget bill that approach is prone to parliamentary challenges. 

Democrats currently hold a slight majority in the Senate, thanks to Vice President Harris acting as the 51st vote in the evenly divided chamber.

Sources: The Atlanta Journal, Axios, ABC
Judge Halts Texan Investigations of Families of Transgender Kids
by Easheta Shah
On Friday March 11, Travis County District Judge Amy Clark Meachum of Texas ordered a statewide halt to Gov. Greg Abbott’s directive to investigate the families of minors who are enabled gender-affirming care on the grounds of “child abuse.” The February 22 directive — aimed at making health-care practices for transgender children inaccessile — was deemed unlawful under this recent ruling. 

Earlier in the month, the governor’s directive led to an investigation of the parents of a 16-year-old transgender girl who recieved gender affirming medical care. A week prior to Judge Meachum’s ruling, advocacy groups joined the family in suing Gov. Abbott and the state, filing a complaint to the state district court. 

The judge ruled the directive and any following orders from the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services unconstitutional and exceeding their authority. The trial will be scheduled for July, and Republic state Attorney General Ken Paxton has revealed that his office would appeal last Friday’s ruling, claiming he is “protecting our Texas children.” As this fight endures, advocates warn against the devastating consequences of this directive for children and parents and the overall improvements to health gender-affirming care provides for transgender youth. 
Pfizer CEO announces a fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine will be needed
by Hannah Lane
Since the Omicron surge, many have speculated how long the COVID-19 vaccine will be effective. Due to the ever-changing nature of the pandemic and the virus's ability to mutate, it has become clear that three doses of the COVID-19 vaccine may not be enough to keep us safe. Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla says that people will need a fourth dose of the vaccine to help fend off another wave. He foresees another variant coming and states that while three doses provides protection against hospitalization and deaths, it does not provide adequate protection from infections when faced with a variant. 

Currently, anyone 12 and older who got their second dose of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine five or more months ago or anyone who got a single dose of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine two or more months ago is eligible for a third booster dose. Currently, moderately or several immunocompromised individuals are eligible for a fourth dose; however, it is not clear if and when the FDA will authorize a fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine for non-immunocompromised folks. 

Other vaccine updates
It is anticipated that children under 5 may be able to get vaccinated soon. Bourla says we may see a vaccine for this age group as early as May. Additionally, Pfizer and Moderna have announced that they are working on a longer-lasting vaccine specific to the Omicron variant with hopes that it will last "at least a year". The corporations state that it is not clear if an Omicron-specific vaccine is needed quite yet, but research and testing has begun. 
One-Liners
  • Changes in 2022 Federal Health Policy: For a quick overview of all things federal health policy, check out this explainer from Manatt Health. (Manatt) 
  • Vaping in FDA’s Sights: The Food and Drug Administration may soon be better able to regulate e-cigarette and vaping products, if Congress allows them to regulate synthetic nicotine the same way it treats traditional tobacco. (The Hill) 
  • White House running out of COVID funding: The white house says this week that it will begin to wind down its program that is geared toward supporting those who do not have health insurance with COVID-19 expenses. It is a result of Congress voting against adding 22.5 billion dollars to a spending package passed last week. (NPR)