Health Headlines for Monday, July 2
Next year’s Obamacare: More insurers but steeper prices
Washington Examiner
Health insurers are planning to expand in Obamacare amid rising profits, but the trend is coming at the expense of higher premiums for certain customers.
The Trump plan to reduce drug prices — are American patients first?
The Hill
Cancer drug prices continue to increase by 10 to 12 percent every year. Spending on cancer drugs doubled in the past five years, and will double again by 2022.
Finally, Some Answers on the Effects of Medicaid Expansion
New York Times
The Medicaid logjam appears to be breaking.
Emergency Rooms Run Out of Vital Drugs, and Patients Are Feeling It
New York Times
George Vander Linde tapped a code into the emergency room’s automated medicine cabinet. A drawer slid open and he flipped the lid, but found nothing inside.
This drug went from $40 to $39,000: Medicare spent $2 billion for one drug as the manufacturer paid doctors millions
Fox 8
More than 80% of doctors who filed Medicare claims in 2016 for H.P. Acthar Gel — a drug best known for treating a rare infant seizure disorder — received money or other perks from the drugmakers, according to a CNN analysis of publicly identified prescribers.
Excellus BCBS grants Community Health Awards
Rochester First
Groups that help refugees, inner city youths, and others in the Rochester area will be able to expand their programs, thanks to awards from Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield.
The IRS Can Save American Health Care
Wall Street Journal (Subscription Required)
Health care is fast becoming an unsustainable expense for American families. This year the total cost of insurance for the typical family of four eclipsed $28,000, according to the Milliman Medical Index. Rising insurance premiums are also eroding worker compensation, as companies shift increased costs to employees.