D.C. Bound: Congress’ Pending Business
With Congress members departing Washington D.C. for their campaign trails, they left behind some unfinished business: talks about annual spending bills for the fiscal year starting October 1. As per Republicans’ plans, spending decisions were envisioned to be delayed until 2025. However, the Democrats have insisted on a short-term spending patch which is up for expiration before Christmas this year.
Sensitive Topic: Abortion on the Campaign Trail
Women’s reproductive rights, particularly abortion, continue to spark heated debates during these campaigns. Democrats have seized this opportunity to rally women voters, while Republicans are finding it challenging to neutralize the issue. It presents a classic case of political jockeying, with each party pulling all stops to sway voters.
Among the panelists addressing these issues are Julie Rovner, Alice Miranda Ollstein, Joanne Kenen, and Lauren Weber, representatives from KFF Health News, Politico, and The Washington Post respectively.
Looking Ahead: Possible Actions Post-Election
Going forward after the November 5 election, it is possible that lawmakers could reapportion concentration on governmental spending and address other pressing health priorities. A prominent issue would be the expansion of telehealth access. Drawing parallels with the post-2022 mid-term elections, patient protections against surprise medical billing could be strengthened.
Democrats and Health Care
As the election looms nearer, Democrats are increasingly focusing on health care. As per polls, the issue resonates well with their voter base. Recently, the Democrats made a final push to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies that broadened during the pandemic—a topic likely to carry over into the coming year in the face of Republican opposition.
Abortion Rights Controversy
The deaths reportedly linked to state abortion bans have incited outcry. Advocates argue that these are illustrative examples of the repercussions of handing over abortion rights to states. States offering a say on abortion access via ballot measures make this issue a prominent one on campaign trails.
High Drug Prices Under Scrutiny
In related news, Senator Bernie Sanders, chairman of the health committee, summoned the CEO of Novo Nordisk. The aim was to demand accountability for exorbitant drug prices. Although the hearing puts pharmaceutical executives in the hot seat, significant concessions are yet to be achieved.
Must-Reads in Health Policy
Besides the above, panelists Rovner, Weber, Kenen, and Ollstein each recommended a health policy story to delve into. Rovner’s pick hails from KFF Health News, Weber suggests a piece from Stat, while Kenen and Ollstein opted for stories in The Atlantic and Stat respectively.
This information was sourced from KFF Health News, described as a national newsroom committed to in-depth journalism on health issues. It forms a critical part of KFF—an independent authority for health policy research, polling, and journalism.