Author Archive
Published by Jill Wechsler, Washington editor on November 15, 2011
under North America News, Regulation
The US Supreme Court, as expected, will decide if key provisions of the Obama administration’s health care overhaul law violate the Constitution by exceeding the federal government’s power to regulate interstate commerce and to levy taxes. The key issue is whether Congress can require every American to purchase health insurance by 2014 or pay a penalty. State officials and other parties are challenging the constitutionality of the individual mandate provision in the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and differing legal rulings on the issue has brought it to the High Court for a final ruling. Read more »
Published by Jill Wechsler, Washington editor on February 22, 2010
under Regulation
The health reform proposal unveiled by the White House on Feb. 22, 2010 retains a number of provisions that directly affect drug coverage and industry revenues. The plan highlights that it will close the Medicare drug benefit “doughnut hole” by 2020 to make drugs more affordable to the elderly. Seniors will get some relief this year through a $250 rebate, and coinsurance will phase down over the next decade. Read more »
Published by Jill Wechsler, Washington editor on June 5, 2009
under Manufacturing, North America News, Regulation, Trends
The US Food and Drug Administration’s transparency task force promises to raise questions about why certain manufacturer information on drug products is kept secret. Read more »
Published by Jill Wechsler, Washington editor on November 20, 2008
under North America News, Regulation
In a sharp break with Washington tradition, Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif) unseated long-time top Democrat on the House Energy & Commerce Committee, John Dingell (D-Mich), to become the panel’s new chairman. The House Democratic caucus backed Waxman for the job after a hotly contested campaign in which Waxman claimed to be better positioned to work with the new Obama administration to enact environmental and health care legislation. Read more »
Published by Jill Wechsler, Washington editor on November 20, 2008
under North America News, Regulation
President-elect Barack Obama is moving quickly in selecting former Senate majority leader Tom Daschle as the potential secretary of Health and Human Services. Daschle has been a close advisor to Obama and may now be the administration’s point person on moving health reform legislation through Congress. Reform advocates consider the selection a sign that the Obama administration will seek to fulfill its promises to make health reform a top priority. Read more »
