Health Care — Health care and tonight's VP debate

Click in for more news from The Hill

View Online Health Care Health Care The Big Story  How the VP contenders could go on attack over health care Health care has featured prominently in the presidential campaign so far, and Tuesday's debate between Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) could be a key opportunity for each side to press the other on their plans. © Greg Nash, The Hill The debate will serve as an opportunity for both candidates to go on the attack. While abortion will almost certainly be mentioned, here are some other issues we'll be watching for tonight:   ObamaCare One of the issues getting the most attention ahead of debate is one that Republicans have largely sought to avoid in recent years. Trump and Vance have been vague on their plans for the law, giving Democrats an opening.   Vance has floated the idea of going back to the pre-Affordable Care Act days of "high-risk pools," where sick people were separated into different, more expensive insurance coverage.    It's a position that was a hallmark of GOP proposals to replace ObamaCare during Donald Trump's presidency, and while the idea sounds wonky, it's a fight Democrats want to have. Walz will likely try to hammer Vance on the subject.      Subsidies that help about 20 million people afford insurance are also set to expire next year, and whether they get renewed will depend on the outcome in November.   Health costs Harris and Walz are campaigning on expanding efforts the Biden administration has already undertaken and touting its successes. This includes capping the cost of insulin for Medicare beneficiaries at $35 and saving money from the new Medicare negotiated drug prices.    Both Harris and Trump talk about high drug prices, which Walz and Vance will likely try to highlight. Both candidates largely agree the government should rein in drug companies.   Trump has falsely said Harris and Biden are taking credit for his work on insulin pricing and that he was responsible for the $35 cap. Vance has amplified that claim.   IVF The Walz family has been open about their struggles with infertility since the IVF debacle in Alabama earlier this year. The issue seemed like a slam dunk for Walz. But then Gwen Walz clarified in August that they had opted for a less intensive procedure that isn't specifically threatened by abortion bans. Walz's clarification came after campaign materials and prior remarks that implied the couple had used IVF to have children. Vance and Republicans have accused the Democratic candidate of lying.  Welcome to The Hill's Health Care newsletter, we're Nathaniel Weixel, Joseph Choi and Alejandra O'Connell-Domenech — 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: California sues hospital over emergency abortion care California Attorney General Rob Bonta (D) this week announced a lawsuit against Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center, alleging the hospital refused to provide an abortion to a woman despite her pregnancy presenting an immediate threat to her life and no longer being viable. Bonta’s complaint cited the case of Anna Nusslock, who was 15 weeks pregnant with twins when her water broke after experiencing a week of pain and …  Full Story Watchdog cracking down on medical debt collectors The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) on Tuesday issued a consumer advisory to combat families being targeted by “illegal medical debt collection tactics.” The CFPB’s cited tactics violating federal law that debt collectors have employed when it comes to medical bills, including double billing for services covered by insurance; collecting amounts that exceed federal or state caps; falsifying or exaggerating …  Full Story Louisiana law criminalizing possession of abortion pills takes effect The two drugs used in medication abortion are officially controlled substances in Louisiana after a law took effect that criminalizes their possession without a prescription.  The first-of-its-kind law reclassified mifepristone and misoprostol as Schedule IV controlled substances, the same category as opioids, ephedrine and antidepressants. Critics fear it could be used as a model for other Republican states with abortion …  Full Story Around the Nation  Local and state headlines on health care: Minnesotan dies after rabies exposure from bat, health experts say (CBS)  California bans six artificial dyes from food served at public schools (NBC)  A public health emergency was declared in North Carolina after Hurricane Helene. Here's what that means (ABC)  What We're Reading  Health news we've flagged from other outlets: Rwanda confirms 27 cases of Marburg virus disease, nine deaths (Bloomberg)  Woman's diabetes reversed in world-first stem cell transplant (The Independent)  When abortion politics complicates a mothers' addiction recovery (The Washington Post)  What Others are Reading  Most read stories on The Hill right now: What it's like in Asheville after Helene SOUTH OF ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Buzzing chainsaws and growling generators have replaced the everyday suburban sounds of lawnmowers and birds in my neighborhood … Read more New book details how Austin, Texas, lost its 'magic' — and the larger threat its trajectory may represent  Austin's “magic” has slipped away thanks to poorly planned development run amok, a new book argues. In “Lost in Austin,” out … Read more What People Think  Opinion related to health submitted to The Hill: Endorsing 'no safe level of alcohol' would be a drastic mistake   You're all caught up. See you tomorrow!  Check out The Hill's Health Care page for the latest coverage. Like this newsletter? Take a moment to view our other topical products here 📩 Privacy Policy  |  Manage Subscriptions  |  Unsubscribe  400 N Capitol Street NW Suite 650, Washington, DC 20001 Copyright © 1998 - 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved.

If you believe this has been sent to you in error, please safely unsubscribe.