Biden administration looking to expand coverage of OTC birth control, other products

September 29, 2023September 29, 2023 health care, News

The Biden administration is asking for public comment on whether to require most health insurance plans to cover a range of over-the-counter (OTC) preventive products, including contraception, for free.

The Affordable Care Act requires insurers to cover preventive services, including specific types of birth control, but only if they are prescribed. Insurers usually don’t cover OTC products.

The departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor and the Treasury sa...

How a shutdown would impact key health care programs

September 28, 2023September 28, 2023 health care, News

The federal government is staring down a shutdown as a handful of ultra-conservative House Republicans remain opposed to a short-term agreement to keep the government funded.

The current spending laws expire at 11:59 p.m. Sept. 30. Without a deal by that night, funding will lapse and many government functions, including some health care programs, will temporarily stop.

Here's how a shutdown will, and won't, impact health agencies and services:

The Hill

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Insurers say COVID-19 vaccine rollout issues being resolved

September 27, 2023September 27, 2023 health care, News

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North Carolina Medicaid expansion set to launch Dec. 1

September 26, 2023September 26, 2023 health care, medicaid, News

Medicaid expansion will launch in North Carolina on Dec. 1, Gov. Roy Cooper (D) announced Monday, marking the culmination of a long-fought campaign from Cooper and health groups.

North Carolina Republicans refused for more than 10 years to accept federal funding to help expand coverage to low-income people. There are now only 10 holdout states remaining.

According to the state Department of Health and Human Services, the expansion will allow about 600,000 North Carol...

White House faces challenges getting COVID shots to the uninsured

September 13, 2023September 13, 2023 health care, health insurance, Medicare, News

For the first time since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government will not be able to ensure the shots for this fall's vaccination campaign will be available to the public for free.

When the public health emergency ended in May, so too did the administration's ability to purchase and distribute shots, tests and treatments for all Americans. The COVID vaccine is now commercialized, just like the flu shot and other vaccines.

Most health plans cover ro...

Congress under the gun on must-pass health bills

September 7, 2023September 7, 2023 health care, News, Senate

Lawmakers returning to Washington are far apart on a series of must-pass health care bills that could have far-reaching consequences on local health centers, federal authority and pandemic preparedness.

The bills will be part of a post-recess scramble as the House and Senate return ahead of a Sept. 30 government funding deadline.

The White House has called on Congress to pass a short-term funding bill, which could buy time for further negotiations on some of the ...

Congress under the gun on must-pass health bills

September 7, 2023September 7, 2023 health care, News, Senate

Lawmakers returning to Washington are far apart on a series of must-pass health care bills that could have far-reaching consequences on local health centers, federal authority and pandemic preparedness.

The bills will be part of a post-recess scramble as the House and Senate return ahead of a Sept. 30 government funding deadline.

The White House has called on Congress to pass a short-term funding bill, which could buy time for further negotiations on some of the ...

Biden touts drugs chosen for Medicare price negotiation: ‘We’re not gonna back down’

August 29, 2023August 29, 2023 health care, News

President Biden on Tuesday vowed to not back down from pharmaceutical companies in touting the first 10 drugs chosen for Medicare price negotiation under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

“Big Pharma charging Americans more than three times what they charge other countries simply because they could and I think it’s outrageous. That’s why these negotiations matter,” Biden said at an event at the White House.

“We’re going to keep standing up to Big Pharma, and we’re ...

Anti-abortion movement reckons with ‘circular firing squad’

August 17, 2023August 17, 2023 health care, News

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Why GOP hopefuls aren’t talking about health care costs

August 9, 2023August 9, 2023 health care, News

President Biden is leaning into lowering health care costs as the White House shifts into campaign mode, but the issue is barely mentioned by the gaggle of GOP candidates barnstorming the country.

The Hill reached out to 10 leading Republican candidates about how they would reduce health costs and improve affordability; only former Rep. Will Hurd (R-Texas) responded.

The relative GOP silence has left the White House with plenty of room to tout Democratic efforts, suc...