Health Headlines for Thursday, August 9
FACT CHECK: Sanders spins savings in Medicare plan
ABC News
Sen. Bernie Sanders is skimming over the facts in claiming that his “Medicare for all” plan will lead to big reductions in what Americans spend for health care.
Patient groups rattled by new Medicare power to negotiate lower drug prices
The Hill
A new federal policy intended to drive down drug prices could have a negative effect on patients, particularly those with chronic conditions, according to health advocates.
CVS Health beats profit estimates, defends PBM business
Reuters
CVS Health Corp (CVS.N) beat analysts’ estimates for quarterly profit on Wednesday and the drugstore operator defended its pharmacy benefits management business in the face of the Trump administration’s move to clamp down on escalating drug costs.
Helping nature: Inducing labor avoids cesarean for some moms
AP News
Move over, Mother Nature. First-time moms at low risk of complications were less likely to need a cesarean delivery if labor was induced at 39 weeks instead of waiting for it to start on its own, a big study found. Their babies fared better, too.
American Medical Association opposes merger of CVS and Aetna
Reuters
The American Medical Association, which represents U.S. physicians, urged the U.S. Justice Department on Wednesday to stop CVS Health Corp’s plan to buy insurance provider Aetna Inc, saying the deal could result in higher prices for prescription medicines.
Do Obamacare’s Left-Wing Critics Actually Understand It?
New York Mag
Since the Obamacare wars began in 2009, Republicans have recognized the ideological stakes with perfect clarity.