DC Review: Trump and Harris make their arguments on closing health care

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Hello and happy Election Day, DC Review readers. A key poll question from the DC office this busy day: What’s the best soup? Optional step: Should chili be considered a soup? Let me know, and send news and tips to [email protected].

It’s Election Day

We have finally arrived. Both VP Harris and former President Trump made their final speeches to patients across the country over the weekend and Monday, each promising different health care plans. beauty. Trump continued his assurance that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will play a prominent role, while RFK Jr. pledged to advise water systems to remove fluoride on the first day of the presidency. (ICYMI: Another Kennedy has Trump’s weight and health care).

Harris reached the rally stage by emphasizing her fight for reproductive freedom. Everyone is freaking out about the latest Iowa Poll showing that the state favors Harris, especially among older women. Twenty-two percent of Democrats polled said abortion was their top concern — Iowa has a full ban.

Before we stay up all night staring at election maps, revisit STAT’s first coverage of Harris’ health care proposals, from medical bill plans to long-term care support for Medicare ; and Trump’s plans from possible Obamacare reform to public health reform. And if you want more results to follow, there are elective measures related to pre-patient health in more than a dozen areas.

What’s more: Regardless of the outcome of this election, people in the scientific community are deeply concerned about how engaging in partisan politics could erode trust in their institutions. My colleague Anil Oza spoke with science journal editors, donors, and science communicators about the role of science in politics, and where they go from here.

Questions and Answers with Peter Marks of the FDA

Vaccination policy in the United States could be in line for some fundamental changes if Donald Trump is re-elected. But even if he doesn’t win the presidency, Helen Branswell writes, vaccine fatigue and disinformation abound as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Helen spoke with Peter Marks, the FDA’s chief vaccine administrator, on Monday about disinformation, vaccine skepticism, and the impact it has on public health – such as the decline in routine vaccinations.

He said: “We don’t know how much damage there is so far. Read more.

The anti-pharma group is targeting Sen. Tammy Baldwin

A dark money group that supports anti-medicine claims is now running ads opposing Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), who criticizes her for accepting donations from the industry, Rachel Cohrs Zhang reports.

The ad claims that Baldwin “refused to take on Big Pharma,” without providing details. Baldwin voted for the Affordable Care Act and its program that allows Medicare to negotiate drug prices, which the pharmaceutical industry hates. The group also held a town hall with Baldwin’s Republican opponent, Eric Hovde, and Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), which had free pizza.

The group has endorsed three Republican House candidates on its Facebook page and shared podcast segments with Joe Rogan and Trump’s vice president Sen. JD Vance, further evidence of GOP group ties.

Another interesting fact related to the origins of the group: its Facebook profile is now linked to the same address used for “Ardleigh Impact Group,” the subject of a complaint by the Campaign Law Center to the Electoral Commission of Federal. The complaint alleges that the organization has been used as a “straw donor” by one or more individuals seeking to make $2.75 million in federal political contributions while concealing the identity of donors, and that “the scheme violates federal campaign funds that support election transparency protect the right of Americans to know who is using money to influence our elections.

The address is attributed to Staci Goede, who is listed as a “campaign finance expert” on LinkedIn, and who previously worked for the Republican National Leadership Committee. Goede is also listed as the treasurer of the group, Americans for Pharma Reform.

Private Medicare plans collect billions despite care provided by the VA

There’s a problem with the rapid growth of Medicare Advantage plans among veterans: Researchers say in a new study that the federal government is paying twice as much for the same patient’s care.

That’s because Medicare pays MA plans a set rate each month for each person they enroll, whether they receive care through their MA plan or not. If Veterans Affairs pays for the care instead, those MA rates don’t change, writes Tara Bannow.

A new study by Health Affairs found that MA plans did not provide any care for 10% of their older members by 2020. At the same time, Medicare paid those plans at more than $1.3 billion to cover those members. Another writer told Tara that it was only “the tip of the mountain”. Read more.

Who provides health services

Most CEOs of major health systems and insurers are willing to donate money to Harris or Trump. But there are exceptions, according to Bob Herman’s analysis of federal campaign contributions.

Similar to previous elections, CEOs willing to give political donations are avoiding Trump and supporting Harris and other Democrats, who would keep the Affordable Care Act in place.

Bob reviewed campaign contribution documents covering the 2024 election period for more than 40 CEOs of major health insurance companies, hospital systems and other donor groups. Many governors did not make political donations or provide their companies’ political action committees, similar to pharmaceutical CEOs. Read what he found there.

Senators propose potential ‘net neutrality’ amendment

Two key senators on Friday released a plan to address one of the biggest obstacles to so-called site payment reforms: That equal payments to providers could hurt rural hospitals, such as as donor organizations argue.

This proposal will return some of the savings from the payment changes to help rural and safety net hospitals. Hospitals that continue to provide services such as trauma centers, labor and delivery centers, and burn centers will also receive financial bonuses, Rachel reported.

This I can it becomes a compromise that stops the neutrality rule being reintroduced. One of the two senators, after all, is in line to lead the Senate health committee if Republicans win control of the chamber in this election. More from Rachel.

What we read

• First Opinion: How to bring more Black Americans into medical research: Addressing the root causes of medical skepticism, STAT
• No evidence that Trump’s hospice drug program has saved ‘thousands’ of lives, KFF Health News
• What really happens to drug prices when patents expire, STAT
• Texas OB-GYNs urge lawmakers to change abortion laws after reports of maternal deaths, Texas Tribune