[co-author: Ariana Stobaugh ]
On September 13, 2020, President Trump issued an Executive Order (the “Executive Order”) directing the Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) to issue regulations instituting two most-favored-nations (“MFN”) payment models – one model for prescription drugs covered by Part B of the Medicare program (in general terms, Medicare Part B covers drugs that are administered by infusion or injection in physician offices and hospital outpatient departments, as well as certain drugs furnished by suppliers), and a second model for prescription drugs covered by Part D of the Medicare program (Medicare Part D covers most medications that are dispensed by local and/or mail-order pharmacies and covered under a Medicare prescription drug plan).
Goal: Restore full Medicaid funding to California to safeguard lives.
In the midst of a global pandemic, the highest levels of American government continue to play political games with healthcare. Outgoing Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Alex Azar announced that his agency would deprive Californians of 200 million dollars in Medicaid funding. This callous move appears to be a politically motivated strike-back at California’s governor.
The state currently has rules for insurance companies regarding coverage for abortions. The Trump Administration, which often touts itself as a champion of states’ rights, does not like these rules. As punishment, it has decided to take healthcare opportunities away from millions of low-income and disabled citizens. This move is both heartless and non-sensical.
Convenience Stores Prioritized for Vaccine Distribution
CDC committee recommends frontline essential workers for next-round access to COVID-19 shots.
December 21, 2020
WASHINGTON The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted yesterday to recommend that frontline essential workers including employees in the convenience store industry be next in line to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. In their recommendations for the second phase, Phase 1-B of vaccination distribution, the committee prioritized frontline essential workers and adults older than age 75 years. Yesterday’s vote follows the CDC’s recommendation for the first phase, Phase 1-A, that prioritized health-care professionals and long-term care facility residents.
Monday, December 21, 2020
On September 13, 2020, President Trump issued an Executive Order (the “Executive Order”) directing the Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) to issue regulations instituting two most-favored-nations (“MFN”) payment models – one model for prescription drugs covered by Part B of the Medicare program (in general terms, Medicare Part B covers drugs that are administered by infusion or injection in physician offices and hospital outpatient departments, as well as certain drugs furnished by suppliers), and a second model for prescription drugs covered by Part D of the Medicare program (Medicare Part D covers most medications that are dispensed by local and/or mail-order pharmacies and covered under a Medicare prescription drug plan).
Despite being only a few days away from Christmas vacation, the Trump administration continues to follow through on its commitment to life and religious liberty, with nine different federal agencies finalizing a joint rule this week providing for fair and equal treatment for religious groups in federal programs. HHS Secretary Alex Azar joined me Wednesday on âWashington Watchâ to discuss his departmentâs participation in this rule.
Secretary Azar explained that the Obama administration had put âa scarlet letterâ on faith-based providers which required them to announce their status and direct funds to secular providers instead. Yet âif their faith wasnât there, most of them would not be nonprofits,â Secretary Azar told me. âThatâs what motivates them.â Indeed, by breaking with the previous administrationâs discrimination, the Trump administrationâs HHS has proven its commitment to protect religious liberty once again an