Today, March 4, 2015, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments to King v. Burwell. It’s a big deal because it could decide whether the Affordable Care Act (ACA), better known as ObamaCare, survives in its current format. More to the point, the decision will have implications regarding the balance of power between the three co-equal […]
When Will Congress Fix the 340B Drug Discount Program?
The 340B drug discount program to help uninsured, low-income individuals obtain prescription drugs has strayed from its mission.
The House Votes to Repeal ObamaCare
The House of Representatives voted today on H.R. 596, a bill that would repeal and replace ObamaCare. H.R. 596 passed by a vote of 239 to 186. The bill was introduced by Rep. Bradley Byrne (R-Ala.) and had 98 co-sponsors.
Repealing Obamacare – Is It Doable?
On January 6, the 114th Congress convened and is now under Republican control, with 54 senators out of 100 in the Senate and 246 representatives out of 435 in the House. One of the major Republican campaign promises was the full repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), more often referred to as ObamaCare. But can it be done?
To Market, To Market – First U.S. Biosimilar On Its Way
On Wednesday, January 7, 2015, I attended the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee meeting that discussed and recommended approval of the first biosimilar drug, called filgrastim, under the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act (BPCI).
Jonathan Gruber Goes to Washington
Most of you know about Jonathan Gruber. He is the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) economics professor that was hired as a consultant by the Obama administration to provide guidance on designing ObamaCare. He has often been called the “architect” of ObamaCare. What was his consulting fee just from the Department of Health and Human […]
Newt’s Very Bad Idea
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich often comes up with ideas to change how the government works. One of his most recent suggestions has made a lot of people who care about property rights scratch their head. At a December 2, 2014 meeting of Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy executives, Speaker Gingrich was asked about the […]
Who’s the Obstructionist?
While I tend to write mostly about healthcare issues, a November 27 article from Investor’s Business Daily, entitled “Obama Taking Hard Line, Blows Up Bipartisan Tax Deal,” provides a brief look into what the next two years will be like. Says Investor’s: The White House move this week to torpedo a deal between House Republicans […]
MR. GRUBER – COME ON DOWN!
On November 20, 2014, Chairman Darrel Issa of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee sent letters to Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Director Marilyn Tavenner and Massachusetts Institute for Technology (MIT) professor Jonathan Gruber asking them to testify before his committee on December 9 at 9:30 AM. The topic: to examine the […]
Family Feud
On October 22, 2014, Senator Tom Coburn, M.D. (R-Okla.) released his annual “Wastebook 2014: What Washington Doesn’t Want You To Read.” The report listed 100 wasteful spending programs that cost taxpayers $25 billion annually. The Wastebook always brings chuckles and disbelief that the government could dish out so much money so foolishly. On the other hand, […]