Health Care — Future of Social Security, Medicare commands campaign trail

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View Online Health Care Health Care The Big Story  Future of Social Security, Medicare commands campaign trail The uncertain futures of Medicare and Social Security came up this week as each party's presumptive nominee for president clashed over how they plan to save the key entitlement programs. © AP The row began Monday when CNBC's "Squawk Box" host Joe Kernen had offered that former President Trump and President Biden differed little when it came to managing Social Security and Medicare.   Biden has repeatedly said he does not wish to make cuts to either programs.    Trump pushed back on this characterization commenting, "There is a lot you can do in terms of entitlements in terms of cutting."   This set off a round of criticisms from the Biden camp, with the president saying at a campaign event he would "never allow it to happen."   Trump quickly clarified his remarks, telling Breitbart News Wednesday, "I will never do anything that will jeopardize or hurt Social Security or Medicare."   Throughout this back-and-forth, neither camp directly addressed the fact that both Medicare and Social Security trust funds are projected to be depleted some time in the 2030s if nothing changes. If this were to occur, full benefits from the program may cease to be provided.   Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy (R) waded into the fray Thursday, saying neither candidate had a real plan for saving Social Security. The senator took the opportunity to promote his "Big Plan" for saving he program which involves creating an investment fund separate from the Social Security Trust Fund.   "Every national fund around the world does it except for Social. If we did it for Social, we could actually bail out Social and make the program better," Cassidy said on Fox Business. Welcome to The Hill's Health Care newsletter, I'm Joseph Choi — every week we follow the latest moves on how Washington impacts your health. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here. Essential Reads  How policy will be impacting the health care sector this week and beyond: HHS officials to tout Biden's health care agenda on 'Match Day' for medical students Roughly a dozen Biden administration health officials will mark "Match Day" for medical students on Friday, traveling to different medical schools across the country and speaking about President Biden's health care agenda. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra will visit a medical school in Washington, D.C., while other officials will be at medical schools in Philadelphia, Atlanta, Nashville, Wisconsin, California …  Full Story Cashews sold by Walmart are recalled due to undeclared allergens The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Wednesday a recall of certain cashews sold at Walmart, after the manufacturer discovered cans were incorrectly labeled and therefore did not contain proper allergen warnings. John B. Sanfilippo & Son Inc. (JBSS) issued a voluntary recall of certain cans marked as Great Value Honey Roasted Cashews sold at Walmart stores. The potentially affected products are packaged in an …  Full Story Sterilizer plants release a cancer-causing gas. The Biden administration will make them cut those emissions by 90 percent The Biden administration is cutting down on emissions of a cancer-causing chemical released by companies that sterilize medical devices and other products. Plants that sterilize medical devices and other products, such as spices, release a chemical called ethylene oxide, which has been linked to white blood cell cancers and increased breast cancer risk in women. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says communities surrounding …  Full Story In Other News  Branch out with a different read: In a first, Vice President Harris visits Minnesota abortion clinic to blast 'immoral' restrictions ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris visited a Planned Parenthood clinic on Thursday, marking what her office said was the first time a president or vice president has toured a facility that performs abortions, as the White House escalates its defense of reproductive rights in this year’s election. "Right now, in our … Full Story Around the Nation  Local and state headlines on health care: Kristi Noem faces lawsuit over video praising Texas dentist (Axios)  McKee pitches $75,000 raise for state health director job (Rhode Island Current)  Change to immigrant health care programs in Illinois will cause up to 6,000 to lose benefits (Chicago Tribune)  What We're Reading  Health news we've flagged from other outlets: Medicare couldn't cover Wegovy for weight loss. But now that it's also a heart drug, the door is open (Stat)  Exclusive: Social Security chief vows to fix 'cruel-hearted' overpayment clawbacks (KFF Health News)  US FDA approves first drug for fatty liver disease NASH (Reuters)  What Others are Reading  Most read stories on The Hill right now: Johnson signals shift on Ukraine to GOP senators Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) told Republican senators Wednesday to expect the House to send them legislation to help Ukraine, but cautioned that what … Read more Wall Street braces for commercial real estate time bomb Remarks last week by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell about a spate of coming bank failures related to the faltering commercial real estate sector … Read more What People Think  Opinion related to health submitted to The Hill: Biden's letting election-year politics hold back the menthol ban   You're all caught up. See you tomorrow!  Check out The Hill's Health Care page for the latest coverage. Like this newsletter? 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