Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
CMS Finalizes Rule To Crack Down On Obamacare Plan-Switching Schemes
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is strengthening oversight of health insurance exchange brokers under a final rule issued Monday. The Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2026 makes it easier for CMS to suspend agents and brokers who market exchange plans. The agency drafted this policy after 吃瓜不打烊 reported last April that some brokers were switching consumers into different plans without their permission. (Early, 1/13)
On the high cost of pharmaceuticals 鈥
Eli Lilly & Co. said it and other drugmakers will ask the Trump administration to pause drug-price negotiations, even as Biden-appointed officials prepare a new list of medicines that should be targeted. 鈥淭hey need to fix it鈥 before negotiating down the price of more drugs, Lilly Chief Executive Officer Dave Ricks said on the sidelines of the JPMorgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco, referring to the Inflation Reduction Act. (Muller, Koons and Wingrove, 1/13)
A coalition of obesity-related patient advocacy groups is calling on the incoming Trump administration to finalize a proposal that would allow Medicare to cover obesity medications.聽Led by the Obesity Care Advocacy Network (OCAN), more than 70 organizations said in a statement that addressing, treating and managing obesity is key to making America healthier.聽The groups pointed to a study that found if nothing is done, 213 million Americans will be overweight or obese by 2050. (Weixel, 1/13)
On the high cost of health care 鈥
The pharmaceutical industry鈥檚 biggest investment conference drew protesters in San Francisco Monday with signs reading 鈥渄elay, deny, depose,鈥 words prosecutors said were written on shell casings found at the scene of a health insurance executive鈥檚 killing last month. Across the street from the entrance of the Westin St. Francis in San Francisco where the JPMorgan Healthcare conference was being held, some two dozen protesters chanted 鈥渉ealth care is a human right鈥 and said drugmakers share blame with insurers for high costs and lack of access to care. (Kresge, 1/14)
An independent study of ambulance trips in New Hampshire says that each call costs between $414 and $2,317, not including mileage, depending on level of care and where they take place. (Brooks, 1/13)
