The pandemic is again raging in Italy, where strict lockdowns and widespread mask-wearing were once believed to have tamed the coronavirus contagion. It was the first country to impose lockdowns and left them in place longer than most other nations. Its national mask mandate is enforced by military police, with fines recently increased to 1,000 euros per violation. Public … [Read more...] about Forget lockdowns: At home self testing can work for COVID-19 containment
Progress!
We awoke to terrific news this morning that Pfizer is asking the FDA for an emergency use permit to begin distributing its Covid-19 vaccine, a Godsend to help fight the pandemic. Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech will be the first companies to seek authorization for a coronavirus vaccine in the United States. Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said this is a “light … [Read more...] about Progress!
So Much For That
Republican candidates were pummeled with ads during their campaigns this fall, with opponents warning of the the dark and foreboding consequences of “stripping health coverage away from millions of people” who also would lose their pre-existing condition protections if the latest challenge to Obamacare were to succeed. The issue was front and center in Senate confirmation … [Read more...] about So Much For That
Next Steps
We will continue to advance patient freedom in health care, whatever outcome the election eventually produces. Our newly released Health Care Choices 2020 proposal contains a wealth of recommendations—many of which could garner bipartisan support—to do just that. American Action Forum president Doug Holtz-Eakin wrote in his daily newsletter this week that the Consensus … [Read more...] about Next Steps
A victory for consumers
The Trump administration yesterday finalized a rule requiring health insurers to disclose price and cost-sharing information, a rule which economists estimate could help families save up to $11,000 a year in health costs. Galen Senior Fellow Brian Blase, who helped shepherd the price transparency rule through the bureaucratic maze when he was a senior adviser to the … [Read more...] about A victory for consumers