LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Benefits of Medicare Advantage

Dear Editor,

Like many Americans, I worked hard my entire life, looking forward to the day that I could sit back and enjoy my retirement. However, as the aches and pains of aging set in, I was worried this wouldn’t be a reality for me. It wasn’t just the physical health issues that concerned me, but also that the stress would affect my quality of life in other ways. Luckily, I was able to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, and its numerous benefits have impacted my life beyond belief.

Right off the bat, I was impressed with the attention my Medicare Advantage provider showed while I was enrolling in the program. They were genuinely concerned with my wants, and they had a commitment to meeting my personal and medical needs. As I began to learn more and more about the benefits Medicare Advantages offered, I was pleased with the comprehensive, low-cost coverage. My plan includes services like as dental, vision, and hearing benefits, wellness programs, home health services, and so much more.

 Because of Medicare Advantage, I can enjoy my retirement, like all people should, with my family, friends, and loved ones.

Sincerely

Lu Jones

HENRY: Give Our Vets The Best Care!

Written by Senator Cameron Henry - Cameron Henry is a member of the Louisiana State Senate representing District 9, which includes Jefferson and Orleans parishes.

In 2014, the Louisiana State Legislature passed House Bill 1065, authorizing optometrists to perform eye surgery despite the fact that they are neither medical doctors nor trained surgeons. I opposed that bill then and still oppose the policy.

Now, eight years later, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is taking steps in the same direction, which could put the health and safety of our nation’s heroes at risk. Optometrists are licensed to practice optometry, which involves services like primary vision care, including eye exams and fittings for glasses and contacts, as well as diagnosing and monitoring certain eye conditions. While optometrists play an extremely important role in eye care delivery, they are not qualified to perform eye surgery, including laser surgical procedures. Optometry’s education model doesn’t require students to attend any surgical residency, and any optional surgical courses available to optometrists don’t involve extensive training or procedures on live patients.

Read more: HENRY: Give Our Vets The Best Care!

HEALTH FREEDOM LOUISIANA: You Can't Sue Pharma and Our Children Pay the Price

Photo source: Health Freedom Louisiana

The following was written by the newest Health Freedom Louisiana team member, Katie Green.

Imagine, if you will, a company so powerful that it controlled all the other companies; an industry so dominating, it was at the helm of the hospitals, the schools, government, and the entire country’s healthcare system. Now imagine that same company could harm individuals without having to suffer even a single consequence. Envision the hospital your grandmother resides in or the school your 5 yr old son is applying to next year entirely protected from any form of accountability or liability.

The majority of Americans believe that the large companies, agencies, and systems that “serve” them are all independently run. They are blissfully unaware of the hard hitting fact that the industries who dominate our lives collude, partner, and intertwine intimately together in an incestuous relationship with the government to shape the everyday existence of our domain. The landscape in which the public interacts with day in and day out traces back to the path of big pharma and its never-ending dance with monetary incentive.

The pharmaceutical companies are personally responsible for the engineered belief that toxins are healthy, children are born broken, immune systems don’t exist, and illness needs to be prevented with a cocktail of physiological mayhem.

Read more: You Can't Sue Pharma and Our Children Pay the Price

OPINION: Drug price controls would hurt seniors

The latest iteration of Build Back Better — the president’s multi-trillion-dollar tax-and-spending binge that has been stalled in Congress all year — purports to reduce the cost of prescription drugs via negotiation.

Medicare prescription drug plans already negotiate prices aggressively. As Obama’s CBO director Doug Elmendorf explained back in 2009: “Additional authority to negotiate for lower drug prices would have little, if any, effect on prices for the same reason that my predecessors have explained, which is that private drug plans are already negotiating drug prices.”

So how can Democrats extract the $250 billion they are counting on draining from Medicare drug spending to fund the creation of new, unrelated welfare programs in Build Back Better? They don’t negotiate — they impose price controls.

Read more: Drug price controls would hurt seniors

Federal Judge Blocks COVID Vaccine Mandate for Healthcare Workers Challenged by Jeff Landry

Judge Terry Doughty of the Monroe division of the U.S. District Court of the Western District of Louisiana issued the ruling blocking the mandate, which would have applied to the more than 10 million U.S. healthcare workers who are employees of facilities that take money from Medicare and Medicaid. CMS estimated that roughly 2.4 million of those workers remain unvaccinated.

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry and the attorneys general of 13 other states sued the Biden administration over the rule earlier this month.

Read more: Federal judge blocks COVID vaccine mandate for healthcare workers challenged by Jeff Landry

Analyzing the New Prescription Drug Pricing Proposal For Reconciliation

This week, Democratic lawmakers released the broad outlines of a deal negotiated between moderates and liberals to include prescription drug pricing provisions in the reconciliation bill. NTU raised immediate concerns with the early details of the deal, warning that the proposals could negatively affect patients, taxpayers, and the U.S. health care sector broadly.

Lawmakers released legislative text for the proposals on November 3.

Read more: Analyzing the New Prescription Drug Pricing Proposal For Reconciliation

OPINION: Oppose Government Price Fixing

When I first showed symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis, I had no idea what was going on. All of a sudden, foods that I had enjoyed my entire life were causing me intense pain and abdominal cramps. As the symptoms intensified over time, it came to feel almost like my body was betraying me. 

The symptoms of my Ulcerative Colitis have since become so severe that I have started rounds of a low-grade chemotherapy treatment to try to eradicate the inflammation and ulcers in my digestive track. While this is an aggressive treatment, I am willing to do whatever it takes to get back to health.

Ulcerative Colitis currently does not have a cure. While the medications I take and the treatments I receive certainly help, I would love to be able to go out to lunch with my family and friends without triple checking the menu beforehand.

I long for the day that I am able to beat my Ulcerative Colitis, and I know that this is only possible through the hard work of our nation’s biopharmaceutical companies.

I am confused as to why some in Congress then are pushing price fixing policies like Medicare negotiation that could stifle the development of new treatments patients like me are yearning for. One estimate from the Congressional Budget Office has suggested that this legislation could mean that 60 fewer cures are developed.

I need lawmakers to support the industry that is working to find cures for patients like me. I hope our leaders stand firm in their  opposition to changes to Medicare.

We need to all oppose government price fixing.

Camille Babineaux 
New Iberia, LA

Congress is about to legislate a future without new medicines. We have a better plan

People who understand where medicines come from are sounding the alarm. In the largest grassroots effort in the history of the drug industry, we — alongside hundreds of biotech entrepreneurs, academic luminaries, patient advocates, and prominent investors — sent a letter to Congress explaining the drastic consequences of redefining the word “negotiation.” Others continue to add their names. The signers collectively represent nearly $187 billion in science-focused capital, 21,000 Americans employed in life sciences, and hundreds of drug candidates in clinical trials. We are motivated by a concern that Congress is about to extinguish the fight against disease and suffering that our community has dedicated itself to for decades.

Read more: Congress is about to legislate a future without new medicines. We have a better plan

Democrats’ Majority At Risk If Biden Goes Down Wrong Path On Drug Pricing

Looking forward to the 2022 midterms, the Democrats face an uphill battle.

Not only do the Republicans only need to flip five seats to take back the House of Representatives, but the latest generic ballot polling from NBC News/Wall Street Journal indicates that the Democrats hold only a one-point lead nationwide, clearly within the margin of error and presumably favoring Republicans in many swing districts.

Further, redistricting has the likelihood to give Republicans an even better advantage.

Read more: Democrats’ Majority At Risk If Biden Goes Down Wrong Path On Drug Pricing

No Government Price Controls to Pay for Biden’s Gargantuan Spending Bill

Photo source: Citizens Against Government Waste

Here we go again.  Even though the private and competitive negotiations in Medicare Part D among insurers, pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), drug manufacturers, and pharmacists resulted in lower than expected costs and high satisfaction, the Biden administration is calling for this system to be replaced with government-negotiated pricing, which is currently prohibited by the non-interference clause in Medicare law that protects market competition.  They claim that there would be significant savings, and this time they want to use this money to help pay for President Biden’s prolific “infrastructure” package.  But the government does not negotiate prices, it sets prices and uses price controls to achieve its objectives.

Read more: No Government Price Controls to Pay for Biden’s Gargantuan Spending Bill

Trump Administration Should Avoid European Style Drug Pricing

There seems to be a renewed push for the United States to copy the socialist health care model of Europe with regard to health care pricing.  Importing socialism from nations like Germany would be a mistake because it will destroy the market forces that have made the United States the economic and innovation leader of the world. With all the flaws we have in the American health care system, more government interference will not make things better – it will make the system worse.

Read more: Trump Administration Should Avoid European Style Drug Pricing

ATR Statement on Drug Pricing Executive

“A most favored nation proposal would slow medical innovation, threaten American jobs, and undermine conservative opposition to Medicare-for-All.

“President Trump has consistently opposed efforts that would lead to a government takeover of America’s health care—such as the “Medicare-for-All” scheme pushed by Democrats in Congress and on the campaign trial. As recently as his 2020 State of the Union Address, the President promised 'We will never let socialism destroy American health care.'

“Rather than fighting these socialist policies, a MFN would adopt them. This will have disastrous consequences to the economy and health care system and to the broader effort to fight against the government takeover of health care.

“The order is not set to be effective until August 24.  Between now and then we urge the President to explore ways to shift to a market-based approach like those the Trump Administration has consistently supported in other areas of healthcare.”

Read more: ATR Statement on Drug Pricing Executive Orders

Socialist Drug Price Controls Have No Place in America

Pssst…  Want to turn American healthcare into the equivalent of this week’s Iowa Democratic caucus fiasco? 

Just import foreign drug price controls to the United States, and voila. 

The same types of people who couldn’t manage to introduce a new app in a caucus involving a few thousand people on a single night in a single state expect us to trust them to control healthcare with metronomic precision for 330 million people?  Mark me skeptical. 

For his part, President Trump offered reassurance in his State of the Union speech this week when he said, “To those watching at home tonight, I want you to know we will never let socialism destroy American healthcare.” 

Read more: Socialist Drug Price Controls Have No Place in America

Now is Not the Time to Disrupt Medical Supply Chains with Buy American Policies

Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) understands the concern the administration and members of Congress have with China and its recent actions concerning the coronavirus.  But, when the nation is in the middle of an unprecedented public health crisis, it is not the time to impose restrictions on federal agency purchases.  The U.S. is already having shortages with medical supplies like face masks and medical gloves without compounding the problem by imposing strict “Buy American” mandates on manufacturers.

Read more: Now is Not the Time to Disrupt Medical Supply Chains with Buy American Policies

Attorney General Jeff Landry And State Senator Fred Mills Announce Donation Hydroxychloroquine Sulfate Tablets

Photo source: Medscape

BATON ROUGE, LA - Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry, working with the assistance of State Senate Health and Welfare Chairman Fred Mills, is announcing a major donation by Amneal Pharmaceuticals to help respond to the COVID-19 health emergency. Amneal is donating 400,000 hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablets to the State of Louisiana.

"On behalf of Louisiana, I want to thank Amneal for this generous donation," said General Landry. "It is important we all work together to help solve the COVID-19 Coronavirus crisis. We must come together as Louisianans and as Americans. This donation from Amneal demonstrates their strong effort to be a good corporate citizen in our Nation."

Read more: Attorney General Jeff Landry And State Senator Fred Mills Announce Donation Of 400,000 Hydroxychloroquine Sulfate Tablets From Amneal Pharmaceuticals To Benefit COVID-19 Coronavirus Patients In Louisiana

Pending “Buy America” Executive Order Threatens Coronavirus Response

Photo source: CDC

This week, as the coronavirus pandemic surges, President Trump is considering an executive order that would result in obstructing the movement of critical medical supplies and treatments.

The new order aims to bring the pharmaceutical supply chain back to the United States by forcing federal agencies to "Buy America"—American medical equipment, American pharmaceutical ingredients, American drugs and vaccines, you name it.

Now is not the time to shutter our borders and prevent global cooperation. Americans already face massive shortages of diagnostic tests and vital supplies, like face masks and ventilators. And they're waiting for researchers to develop a COVID-19 vaccine or treatment that will require collaborative sourcing from around the world.

Read more: Pending “Buy America” Executive Order Threatens Coronavirus Response

OPINION: Rural Louisianans Need A Voice in Healthcare Discussions

By Rebekah Hebert, RN 

As of right now, rural Louisianans are losing the healthcare debate in America. We face continued hospital closures and doctor shortages in more remote parts of the state, and many patients face outstanding medical bills that they didn’t expect to receive when going to see a doctor. When it comes to access to care and affordability, lawmakers in Washington seem to forget to talk about those who are most impacted: the hard-working Louisianans in rural parts of the state. 

There are 750,000 residents that live in rural parts of Louisiana, and most of them face similar fears when it comes to how healthcare access. In the event of a medical emergency, there is often a very limited window of time for patients to get to a Level I or II trauma center. Rural Louisianans often have to navigate miles of highway traffic before they even reach the nearest equipped facility. Air ambulances provide rural residents with a solution; they are able to fly over traffic and carry a team of professionals that can immediately provide medical attention to patients. The rapid response times of air medical services gives peace of mind to rural communities who may otherwise have few options in the event of a life-threatening medical situation.

Those that live in more urbanized parts of the state don’t face the same issues rural residents do. They don’t share the same anxiety we face about whether we will make it to the hospital in time if a loved one goes into labor or if our partner suffers from a seizure or heart attack. In emergency situations, air medical providers are often the last lifeline.

As critical as air medical services are to remote communities, insurers don’t always cover the cost of calling an air ambulance, and rapid-response air medical providers can end up taking on the costs themselves and ultimately having to shut down. Alternatively, when an insurer doesn’t cover these costs, patients may end up having to cover these high costs themselves. We need lawmakers in Washington to find a solution that does not leave patients drowning in debt or force medical response teams to shut their doors. Rural constituents deserve the comfort of knowing that there are effective modes of transportation and first responders that can reach patients statewide and quickly get them to a hospital.

Instead of closing up shop, air medical providers should be encouraged to expand their businesses, especially to cover the increasing number of rural regions that are confronted with hospital closures and shortages of medical professionals. 

Rural Louisianans are losing the healthcare debate, because too often we are not even a part of the conversation. But I have not lost hope. Representative Scalise has an opportunity to be a healthcare champion for his rural constituents by supporting legislation that secures access to air medical services for rural communities while taking the burden of dealing with disputes between insurers and providers off of patients’ shoulders. I hope, above all, that the Congressman will choose to protect rural Louisianan patients over insurer profits in the ongoing healthcare discussions in Washington.                                  

Rebekah Hebert is a Registered Nurse and a healthcare advocate from rural Louisiana.

Socialism Would Destroy Prescription Drug Markets

Americans deserve lower prices for prescription drugs. But we also need newer and better drugs that treat chronic illness and keep us healthier. The free market is the only tool that can deliver both lower prices and new, effective medicines. Socialism can’t and won’t.

This matters today, because unfortunately, the Trump administration may soon be swayed by the idea that is has to “do something,” and that something may end up being the imposition of price controls.

As the 2020 election looms, Trump’s Health and Human Services department is pushing something called the “International Pricing Index.” IPI would imports price controls from socialist nations and impose them in the U.S. That might lower prices for a few months, but it would cause harm in the long term.

For proof, just look at gasoline.

Read more: Socialism Would Destroy Prescription Drug Markets

Importing Socialism

One of the first things President Trump did after being elected was to take a pair of pliers to the teeth of socialized medicine — Obamacare — and rescind the “shared responsibility payment” — the massive fine applied to Americans who wanted nothing to do with socialized medicine and the costs it imposed.

By getting rid of the “shared responsibility payment,” the president effectively got rid of Obamacare’s “individual mandate” to buy into socialized medicine, undermining the whole thing. So it’s ironic — and tragic — that the president who worked to get rid of homegrown medical socialism is importing socialized medicine from abroad.

To be fair, it may not be the president who’s working to import medical socialism. It’s the permanent bureaucracy — a.k.a. the swamp.

Which the president famously promised to drain.

Read more: Importing Socialism

Solving Surprise Medical Billing Through Market-Based Rates Gets Bipartisan Love

New recommendations from the Bipartisan Policy Center zero in on surprise medical bills and the need to tackle these unfair charges as part of a system-wide approach to addressing unsustainable health costs. The bipartisan group of health care experts — led by former Sens. Tom Daschle and Bill Frist, M.D. — noted that the best way to safeguard patients from bankrupting charges is through a local, market-based approach that ties out-of-network reimbursement to the median in-network rate.

We agree — as do leading unions, employers, consumer groups and policy experts. 

Read more: Solving Surprise Medical Billing Through Market-Based Rates Gets Bipartisan Love