Current Issues
Medical Care/Prescription Drugs
Merck Lawsuit Against Drug Negotiation
Merck filed a lawsuit (June 6) against the provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022 requiring the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to negotiate ...
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Veterans Benefits
PACT Act Benefits Processing
Veterans Administration data is showing that 136K veterans have, through mid-November 2022, applied for additional benefits under the Honoring our PACT Act, enacted ...
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Pandemics, Vaccinations, & Research
Vaccination Requirements End
The Biden Administration lifted its remaining key COVID-19 vaccination requirements, announcing (May 1) that the mandates will end on the same day of the official end ...
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Abortion & Contraception
South Carolina Changes - Enacted
The South Carolina legislature, which rejected a near total abortion ban in April, passed a slightly less restrictive measure that was subsequently signed into law by the ...
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Drug Abuse, Trafficking, Nicotine
E-Cigarette Maker JUUL
JUUL settled its most recent, and largest lawsuit, brought by six states and the District of Columbia (April 12). Under the terms of the settlement, JUULl will pay $462 million ...
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Research & Analysis
Medicaid and Postpartum Hopitalizations
Health Affairs
This report (January 2023) summarizes the results of a study which found significant reduction of hospitalizations of a child and/or mother after a birth.
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FDA Evaluation of Infant Formula Response
Food & Drug Administration
This internal FDA report (September 2022) reviews how the FDA believes it handled its response to the 2022 infant formula crisis. The report details five areas of need in the FDA given its response: (1) modern information technology that allows for the access and exchange of data in real time to all the people involved in response; (2) sufficient staffing, training, equipment, and regulatory authorities; (3) updated emergency response systems that are capable of handling multiple public health emergencies occurring simultaneously; (4) increased scientific understanding about Cronobacter; and (4) assessment of the infant formula industry, its preventive controls, food safety culture and preparedness to respond to events.
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Improved Processing Needed for Veterans’ Claims of Contaminated Water Exposure at Camp Lejeune
OIG/Veterans Administration
This report (August 2022) of the Inspector General of the Veterans Administration provides the results of a review of the processing and deciding of claims tied to contaminated water exposure at Camp Lejeune. The OIG fuound that of 57,500 Camp Lejeune-related claims for VA disability compensation benefits reviewed, Veterans Benefits Administration staff incorrectly processed 21K claims. The largest error was prematurely denying more than 17K claims by not sending required letters to veterans requesting evidence needed to document exposure.
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National Emergency Powers
Congressional Research Service
This CRS report (February 2021) summarizes the basis for, and specifics of, Presidential emergency powers.
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Demographic Variation in Health Insurance Coverage
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
This report summarizes a statistical analysis of 2020 health survey data to estimate U.S. health insurance coverage. The analysis finds that in 2020, nearly 10% of Americans were uninsured (31.6 million), including 5% (3.7 million) children and nearly 14% of working-aged adults.
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Roe vs. Wade Case Summary: What You Need to Know
FindLaw.com
This website page provides a summary of the landmark Roe vs. Wade decision including the key elements and considerations relevant to today's abortion rights issues and legal challenges.
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U.S. Prices for Selected Brand Drugs Were Higher on Average than Australia, Canada, and France
General Accountability Office (GAO)
This GAO report (April 2021) compares U.S. drug prices on 20 drugs against the same drugs in three selected countries - Australia, Canada, and France. Among other things, the report finds that U.S. prices were mostly 2 to 4 times higher than prices paid in the comparison countries, though prices for some drugs were lower.
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International Prescription Drug Pricing Comparisons
Rand Corporation
This research (2021) compared compares U.S. drug prices to 32 comparison countries, and among the findings found that prices for name brand drugs were 256% higher in the U.S. than in comparison countries, and still 190% higher after adjusting prices down for various discounts and rebates. On the other hand, generic drug costs were lower -- 84% of comparison country prices.
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Efforts Needed to Ensure Effective Use and Appropriate Staffing of Suicide Prevention Teams
General Accountability Office (GAO)
This GAO report (April 2021) summarizes challenges the VA faces in implementing suicide prevention teams in the face of rising suicides. GAO recommends that VA conduct a comprehensive evaluation of suicide prevention teams to ensure the teams are being used and staffed effectively.
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Presidential COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force
White House
This report (October 2021) provides the results and recommendations of a Presidential Task Force reviewing health equity issues in the wake of the COVID-19 epidemic.
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Key Federal Programs
Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health: ARPA-H [HHS]
This Year (FY 22)
Budget Proposal (FY 23)
Enacted (FY 23)
% Change
$1,000,000,000
$5,000,000,000
---
---
Supplementals (FY 21-22)
$0
Primary Health Care [HHS]
This Year (FY 22)
Budget Proposal (FY 23)
Enacted (FY 23)
% Change
$1,748,772,000
$1,839,000,000
---
---
Supplementals (FY 21-22)
$55,400,000,000
Healthcare Workforce [HHS]
This Year (FY 22)
Budget Proposal (FY 23)
Enacted (FY 23)
% Change
$1,295,742,000
$1,758,000,000
---
---
Supplementals (FY 21-22)
$9,310,000,000
Maternal and Child Health [HHS]
This Year (FY 22)
Budget Proposal (FY 23)
Enacted (FY 23)
% Change
$1,044,000,000
$1,273,000,000
---
---
Supplementals (FY 21-22)
$140,000,000
Family Planning [HHS]
This Year (FY 22)
Budget Proposal (FY 23)
Enacted (FY 23)
% Change
$286,479,000
$400,000,000
---
---
Supplementals (FY 21-22)
$50,000,000
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [HHS - CDC]
This Year (FY 22)
Budget Proposal (FY 23)
Enacted (FY 23)
% Change
$7,498,546,000
$9,620,961,000
---
---
Supplementals (FY 21-22)
$18,079,500,000
National Institutes of Health [HHS]
This Year (FY 22)
Budget Proposal (FY 23)
Enacted (FY 23)
% Change
$44,728,000,000
$49,040,000,000
---
---
Supplementals (FY 21-22)
$0
Mental Health Services [HHS]
This Year (FY 22)
Budget Proposal (FY 23)
Enacted (FY 23)
% Change
$2,081,000,000
$4,628,000,000
---
---
Supplementals (FY 21-22)
$2,020,000,000
Substances Abuse Prevention & Treatment [HHS]
This Year (FY 22)
Budget Proposal (FY 23)
Enacted (FY 23)
% Change
$4,173,000,000
$5,886,000,000
---
---
Supplementals (FY 21-22)
$0
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services [HHS]
This Year (FY 22)
Budget Proposal (FY 23)
Enacted (FY 23)
% Change
$1,370,463,000,000
$1,423,680,000,000
---
---
Supplementals (FY 21-22)
$1,520,000,000
Head Start Program [HHS]
This Year (FY 22)
Budget Proposal (FY 23)
Enacted (FY 23)
% Change
$11,036,820,000
$12,203,000,000
---
---
Supplementals (FY 21-22)
$1,000,000,000
Foster Care, Adoption, Guardianship, Independent Living [HHS]
This Year (FY 22)
Budget Proposal (FY 23)
Enacted (FY 23)
% Change
$9,929,000,000
$10,808,000,000
---
---
Supplementals (FY 21-22)
$0
Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund [HHS]
This Year (FY 22)
Budget Proposal (FY 23)
Enacted (FY 23)
% Change
$3,199,678,000
$3,815,000,000
---
---
Supplementals (FY 21-22)
$10,000,000,000
Veterans Health Administration [VA]
This Year (FY 22)
Budget Proposal (FY 23)
Enacted (FY 23)
% Change
$115,438,000,000
$118,748,000,000
---
---
Supplementals (FY 21-22)
$16,604,000,000
