August 2016
Aetna Leaves Affordable Care Act Marketplace Exchanges
In early August, the third largest health insurer in the United States, Aetna announced that it will be leaving most Marketplace exchanges. It is not the only major insurer reporting losses due to the ACA, as United HealthCare and Humana have also scaled back their Marketplace offerings for similar reasons.
This move comes after the United States Department of Justice moved to block the acquisition of Humana by Aetna, citing that such it and the proposed Anthem-Cigna merger would decrease the insurance options available to the public and create three giant insurance companies in control in the process. This will have no effect on the Marketplaces in states which already did not have Aetna, but will leave those looking towards it in other states lacking an additional option.
In early August, the third largest health insurer in the United States, Aetna announced that it will be leaving most Marketplace exchanges. It is not the only major insurer reporting losses due to the ACA, as United HealthCare and Humana have also scaled back their Marketplace offerings for similar reasons.
This move comes after the United States Department of Justice moved to block the acquisition of Humana by Aetna, citing that such it and the proposed Anthem-Cigna merger would decrease the insurance options available to the public and create three giant insurance companies in control in the process. This will have no effect on the Marketplaces in states which already did not have Aetna, but will leave those looking towards it in other states lacking an additional option.
Congress Reacts to Spike in EpiPen Prices
In August, Mylan, the pharmaceutical company that distributes EpiPen added to the steady price increases of the lifesaving drug by increasing the price 150% since 2011 (500% since 2009). EpiPen Auto Injector is a lifesaving tool that can be easily used during anaphylactic shock by a lay person. There is currently no FDA approved generic version of the drug, making Mylan the sole manufacturer in the United States.
While Congress will be on summer recess until shortly after Labor Day, a number of Congressmen have spoken out against the price hike, calling for Mylan to lower the price and raising questions about the motives behind it.
In August, Mylan, the pharmaceutical company that distributes EpiPen added to the steady price increases of the lifesaving drug by increasing the price 150% since 2011 (500% since 2009). EpiPen Auto Injector is a lifesaving tool that can be easily used during anaphylactic shock by a lay person. There is currently no FDA approved generic version of the drug, making Mylan the sole manufacturer in the United States.
While Congress will be on summer recess until shortly after Labor Day, a number of Congressmen have spoken out against the price hike, calling for Mylan to lower the price and raising questions about the motives behind it.
Update: Congressional Inaction on Zika Virus
When asked for $1.9 billion to spend on Zika prevention and research efforts by both public health officials and the oval office, instead of taking immediate action, Congress pushed it to the bottom of the pile and opted to recess for the summer without a plan in place. Instead of funding efforts to protect the health and wellbeing of the expectant mothers and unborn children who have been and will be endangered by the virus, in a bipartisan act, Congress voted to allow US Olympians to receive tax exemption and relief on their medals and earnings from the Rio games.
While a variety of proposals were suggested (both partisan and bipartisan), both Democrats and Republicans have left the door open for the virus to spread and put public health in danger. While Congress has been on recess, the first locally transmitted Zika cases have been reported in Florida, and a child has died from Zika related microcephaly.
As Congress prepares to reconvene in Washington DC after Labor Day weekend it is unclear whether or not the necessary swift action will be taken in light of these recent events.
When asked for $1.9 billion to spend on Zika prevention and research efforts by both public health officials and the oval office, instead of taking immediate action, Congress pushed it to the bottom of the pile and opted to recess for the summer without a plan in place. Instead of funding efforts to protect the health and wellbeing of the expectant mothers and unborn children who have been and will be endangered by the virus, in a bipartisan act, Congress voted to allow US Olympians to receive tax exemption and relief on their medals and earnings from the Rio games.
While a variety of proposals were suggested (both partisan and bipartisan), both Democrats and Republicans have left the door open for the virus to spread and put public health in danger. While Congress has been on recess, the first locally transmitted Zika cases have been reported in Florida, and a child has died from Zika related microcephaly.
As Congress prepares to reconvene in Washington DC after Labor Day weekend it is unclear whether or not the necessary swift action will be taken in light of these recent events.