Kaiser Health News
The Abortion Pill Goes Back to Court
by
Thu, 18 May 2023 18:15:00 +0000
The Host
Julie Rovner
KFF Health News
Julie Rovner is chief Washington correspondent and host of KFF Health News’ weekly health policy news podcast, “What the Health?” A noted expert on health policy issues, Julie is the author of the critically praised reference book “Health Care Politics and Policy A to Z,” now in its third edition.
The fate of the abortion pill mifepristone remains in jeopardy, as an appellate court panel during a hearing this week sounded sympathetic to a lower court’s ruling that the FDA should not have approved the drug more than two decades ago. No matter how the appeals court rules, the case seems headed for the Supreme Court.
Meanwhile, in the partisan standoff over raising the nation’s debt ceiling, a key sticking point has emerged: whether to add a work requirement to the state-federal Medicaid program. Republicans are adamant about adding one; Democrats point out that, in the few states that have tried them, red tape has resulted in eligible people wrongly losing their health coverage.
This week’s panelists are Julie Rovner of KFF Health News, Sandhya Raman of CQ Roll Call, Rachel Roubein of The Washington Post, and Victoria Knight of Axios.
Panelists
Sandhya Raman
CQ Roll Call
Rachel Roubein
The Washington Post
Victoria Knight
Axios
Among the takeaways from this week’s episode:
- Hopes among abortion rights advocates for continued access to mifepristone dimmed as the three judges on the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals signaled they are skeptical of the FDA’s decades-old approval of the drug and of the Biden administration’s arguments defending it. Lawyers debated whether the Texas doctors challenging the drug had been harmed by it and thus had standing to sue. If the original ruling effectively revoking the drug’s approval is allowed to stand, the case could open the door to future legal challenges to the approval of controversial drugs.
- Two more states in the South are moving to restrict abortion, further cutting access to the procedure in the region. In North Carolina, a new Republican supermajority in the state legislature enabled the passage this week of a new, 12-week ban, as lawmakers in South Carolina consider a six-week ban.
- In Congress, the top Senate Republican said he will not back one senator’s months-long effort to hold up Pentagon nominations over a policy that supports troops and their dependents who must travel to other states to obtain an abortion.
- Envision Healthcare โ which spent big in 2019 to fight legislation prohibiting some surprise medical bills โ has filed for bankruptcy protection more than a year after the law took effect and cut into its bottom line. But a federal lawsuit from a group of emergency room physicians against Envision may move forward. The lawsuit claims the private equity-backed company is in violation of a California law banning corporate control of medical practices, and it could carry major consequences for the growing number of practices backed by private equity firms across the country.
- Monica Bertagnolli has been nominated to lead the National Institutes of Health. Currently the director of the National Cancer Institute, she will need to be confirmed by the Senate, which hasn’t confirmed an NIH chief since before the passage of the Affordable Care Act in 2010. Meanwhile, Sen. Bernie Sanders’ stewardship of a key health committee is causing delays on even bipartisan efforts.
Plus, for “extra credit,” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week that they think you should read, too:
Julie Rovner: The Washington Post’s “A 150-Year-Old Law Could Help Determine the Fate of U.S. Abortion Access,” by Dan Diamond and Ann E. Marimow.
Victoria Knight: The New York Times’ “World Health Organization Warns Against Using Artificial Sweeteners,” by April Rubin.
Rachel Roubein: CBS News’ “Thousands Face Medicaid Whiplash in South Dakota and North Carolina,” by Arielle Zionts of KFF Health News.
Sandhya Raman: CQ Roll Call’s “A Year After Dobbs Leak, Democrats Still See Abortion Driving 2024 Voters,” by Mary Ellen McIntire and Daniela Altimari.
Also mentioned in this week’s episode:
KFF Health News’ “ER Doctors Vow to Pursue Case Against Envision Despite Bankruptcy,” by Bernard J. Wolfson.
Credits
Francis Ying
Audio producer
Emmarie Huetteman
Editor
To hear all our podcasts,ย click here.
And subscribe to KFF Health News’ โWhat the Health? onย Spotify,ย Apple Podcasts,ย Stitcher,ย Pocket Casts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Title: The Abortion Pill Goes Back to Court
Sourced From: kffhealthnews.org/news/podcast/what-the-health-298-mifepristone-abortion-pill-court-may-18-2023/
Published Date: Thu, 18 May 2023 18:15:00 +0000
Kaiser Health News
Whatโs at Stake: A Pivotal Election for Six Big Health Issues
SUMMARY: In the election campaign’s final days, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump clash over health care, including issues of abortion access and the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Harris aims to preserve ACA subsidies and protect health care rights, while Trump’s campaign lacks clarity on health plans, suggesting significant cuts. The future of Medicaid, drug prices, and transgender health care also hinges on the election outcome. Trump’s proposals could roll back protections for these groups, contrasting with Harris’ promises to uphold existing health care rights and enhance drug pricing negotiations, setting stark differences for voters.
The post What’s at Stake: A Pivotal Election for Six Big Health Issues appeared first on kffhealthnews.org
Kaiser Health News
Trump quiere que Harris pague un precio polรญtico por ofrecer salud a inmigrantes sin papeles
SUMMARY: Marรญa Sรกnchez, una inmigrante de 87 aรฑos de Mรฉxico, vive sin papeles en Illinois y carecรญa de seguro mรฉdico durante aรฑos, a pesar de haber trabajado y pagado impuestos. A los 65, no pudo inscribirse en Medicare y evitรณ atenciรณn hasta caer enferma. En 2020, Illinois lanzรณ un programa que cubre a mayores indocumentados, permitiendo a Marรญa acceder a atenciรณn mรฉdica que le salvรณ la vida. Esta iniciativa se enmarca en un movimiento mรกs amplio en estados demรณcratas para proporcionar seguro a inmigrantes. Sin embargo, enfrenta crรญticas republicanas y desafรญos econรณmicos, dado el creciente costo del programa en Illinois.
The post Trump quiere que Harris pague un precio polรญtico por ofrecer salud a inmigrantes sin papeles appeared first on kffhealthnews.org
Kaiser Health News
Trump Wants Harris To Pay a Political Price for Generous Immigrant Health Policies
SUMMARY: Maria Sanchez, an undocumented immigrant from Mexico, has lived in Chicago for 30 years without health insurance. At 87, she finally gained coverage through an Illinois program for older undocumented residents. Many states are expanding public insurance to cover unauthorized immigrants, especially for seniors, despite criticism from Republicans who argue it burdens American citizens. The expansions address healthcare access disparities highlighted by the pandemic. While programs in states like California and New York have made strides, enrollment pressures and costs pose challenges. For Sanchez, the new coverage has significantly improved her health and quality of life.
The post Trump Wants Harris To Pay a Political Price for Generous Immigrant Health Policies appeared first on kffhealthnews.org
-
Kaiser Health News4 days ago
Vance Wrongly Blames Rural Hospital Closures on Immigrants in the Country Illegally
-
SuperTalk FM5 days ago
Tupelo teen Leigh Occhi declared dead after going missing 32 years ago
-
News from the South - Georgia News Feed4 days ago
Co-defendant takes plea deal in YSL RICO trial | FOX 5 News
-
Mississippi News Video4 days ago
Free Clinic of Meridian Celebrates 10 Years
-
Our Mississippi Home6 days ago
Nothing Is More Southern Than Black Eyed Peas
-
News from the South - North Carolina News Feed6 days ago
Wake County father killed in motorcycle crash
-
News from the South - Missouri News Feed6 days ago
Page warns seniors about property tax freeze sign-up events
-
News from the South - Texas News Feed7 days ago
NASA astronaut who was hospitalized after returning from space has been released