(pdf version) By our count at the Galen Institute, more than 70 significant changes have been made to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, at least 43 that the Obama administration has made unilaterally, 24 that Congress has passed and the president has signed, and three by the Supreme Court. Changes By Administrative Action 1.) Employee reporting: The IRS announced that, contrary to … [Read more...] about 70 Changes to ObamaCare… — So Far
Should Drug Prices Be Capped?
Americans understandably want to pay less for medicines, and they are demanding government action. More than three in four Americans want government to cap what drug companies can charge for certain medicines, according to a poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation. Fully 83 percent want the federal government to negotiate prices for drugs for Medicare patients. But more government involvement … [Read more...] about Should Drug Prices Be Capped?
Some ObamaCare Relief for Consumers In ‘Taxibus’ Legislation
Some of my colleagues are blasting the Republican leadership for delaying three of ObamaCare’s taxes as part of the $1.14 trillion end-of-the-year tax extender and spending package scheduled for a House vote on Friday. The legislation provides a two-year delay in the “Cadillac” tax on high-cost health insurance policies that labor unions were pleading to repeal; a two-year delay in the medical … [Read more...] about Some ObamaCare Relief for Consumers In ‘Taxibus’ Legislation
Proposed IRS Rule Would Place Undue Burden on Nonprofits, Discourage Donations
The Galen Institute has submitted comments about a proposed Internal Revenue Service regulation that would give nonprofits the option of asking donors for their Social Security numbers to substantiate donations of more than $250. We strongly oppose this rule that would provide a “voluntary” path to collect and report not only the Social Security numbers but also the names, addresses, and other … [Read more...] about Proposed IRS Rule Would Place Undue Burden on Nonprofits, Discourage Donations
Using Better Data to Produce Better Patient Outcomes
The next big challenge in the pharmaceutical sector is not going to be producing breakthrough treatments for once-deadly illnesses. The industry is on track to accomplish that with 3,400 medicines in development today in the United States alone, an increase of 40% since 2005.[1] Forty-one new drugs were approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2014, the most in 18 years.[2] Instead, the … [Read more...] about Using Better Data to Produce Better Patient Outcomes
Ruling Will Thwart Biosimilar Drug Market
By , 11/30/15 The Europeanization of U.S. drug pricing that Scott Gottlieb warns about in his op-ed (“The Coming Government Takeover of Drug Pricing,” Nov. 23) already has begun. He warns of “reference pricing,” in which the government lumps together drugs that “bureaucrats feel are similar enough that they can be used in place of one another—even if a newer but also more expensive treatment … [Read more...] about Ruling Will Thwart Biosimilar Drug Market
Congress Should Say No to Cutting Drug Subsidies for Low-Income Seniors
President Barack Obama and congressional appropriators are looking for savings to offset new federal spending programs. One proposal on the table – drawn from the president's budget plan – would disproportionately impact low-income seniors who rely on prescription medications for serious medical conditions. The measure, estimated to save $8.9 billion over ten years, would increase copayments … [Read more...] about Congress Should Say No to Cutting Drug Subsidies for Low-Income Seniors
CMS Rule On Biosimilar Payment Could Have Serious Side Effects
The Obama administration and leading members of Congress are clashing over a new Medicare payment rule that could compromise patient care, impede development of a fledgling part of the biologics industry, and make it more difficult to track patient safety issues. At issue is government payment policy for a new class of drugs called “biosimilars”—drugs that are similar but not identical to the … [Read more...] about CMS Rule On Biosimilar Payment Could Have Serious Side Effects