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

OPED: Medicare Advantage is Good for Our Community. Here’s Why.

Photo source: Philly Voice

The following oped was provided to Cajun Conservatism by Gwen Miller, a resident of St. Landry Parish:

Getting older isn’t what it used to be—and in a good way! Back when Medicare was founded, senior citizens weren’t expected to live as long or be as active as we are today. Fortunately, our health care coverage is keeping up with the times. Congress has worked in a bipartisan fashion to continually improve Medicare Advantage to bring innovative, private health plans to seniors. And it’s worked.

I became Medicare-eligible a year ago, and I decided Medicare Advantage would be best for me. I wanted “all in one” coverage, and I was impressed by the health plans in my area, some of which charge nothing in monthly premiums.

My plan incorporates everything I need to control my few minor health problems and to protect against more serious diseases from developing. I’m particularly pleased with the prescription drug coverage. In Medicare Advantage, this is built in, so I don’t pay extra for other insurance. The costs are very affordable, and I can get refills at nearly any pharmacy or via mail order. I’m saving money compared to what I was spending before I joined Medicare Advantage, a nice bonus when you’re stretching your retirement savings.

Volunteering in a nursing home has shaped my goals for aging. The facility where I help out offers high-quality care, but nothing can be just like home. Like most seniors, I want to remain an independent, contributing member of the Opelousas community. And I know things like genetics play their part but that I have to put in the work, too.

That’s why I’m glad Medicare Advantage is forward-thinking. Rather than dissuading seniors from using services, they encourage us to take advantage of our benefits—especially the free preventive and wellness care.

Need a checkup? It costs nothing. Is it time for a cholesterol or cancer screening? Get one at no charge. Want some guidance to manage diabetes, an autoimmune disorder, or other condition? Did you make a New Year’s resolution to quit smoking, eat healthier, or become more active? Medicare Advantage has free programs to help.

Free is good. Medicare Advantage plans remove the financial barriers that can otherwise cause seniors to avoid care. And their investment pays off. Medicare Advantage does a better job of keeping seniors out of the hospital, where none of us want to wind up anyway.

The impacts reach beyond seniors. I’m more involved in the community because of the benefits I enjoy with Medicare Advantage, and countless other seniors in our area say the same thing. Our churches, soup kitchens, libraries, garden clubs, tutoring programs—you name it, local charities and other organizations are more robust because Medicare Advantage supports retirees as we engage in activities we care about.

Elected leaders should, therefore, see Medicare Advantage as a top priority issue. Federal officials can support this program as a way to build a better Louisiana. And voters should be sure to check 2020 candidates’ records to make sure the lawmakers they back this fall are as dedicated to Medicare Advantage as we seniors are to Opelousas.

Medicare Advantage Is a Pillar of Success in Health Care

It’s not an exaggeration to say that health care determines the path to the White House. It’s an issue that’s been at the center of our last five elections dating back to at least 2010, and this year will be no exception. 

The reason is simple: Americans demand — and deserve — affordable, high-quality health care. Candidates naturally promise all of that and more, but their ideas about how to get there are radically different. 

But there’s one promising area where common ground still exists. Every year, leaders from across the political spectrum — including presidential candidates — come together to support the Medicare Advantage program.

Read more: Medicare Advantage Is a Pillar of Success in Health Care

Warren, Sanders and Medicare for All. What's real? What's not?

Medicare-for-all advocates, including two top Democratic presidential candidates, have a powerful adversary: large regional health systems that employ tens of thousands of local workers. 

Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont have proposed Medicare-for-all systems that could eliminate private health insurance and instead have the government take over paying for health care. 

Top executives at many health systems in the region said a shift to a so-called single-payer system that pays at the current rate of Medicare would lead to hospital closures, longer appointment wait times and a drastic cut in research and development funds.

Read more: Warren, Sanders and Medicare for All. What's real? What's not?

OPINION: Lower Health Care Costs Act

As congress looks to wrap up their year, healthcare packages are at the top of many legislators’ minds – including Speaker Pelosi.  In fact, the Lower Health Care Costs Act, is one of those bills that’s being pushed right now.  Though coming from a good place, this bill is misguided. It will make the lives of rural Louisianans much worse by taking away their access to emergency services. 

That’s why I’m so concerned about the narrow-minded approach many of our lawmakers seem to be taking in their effort to address surprise medical billing. In Louisiana, many people live in rural areas - often far away from the Level 1 trauma centers where lifesaving care takes place.  An airlift might seem excessive to some, but it’s the difference between life and death for rural Americans who are injured in an accident, having a heart attack, or experiencing complications in labor and delivery. Otherwise, those patients would have to drive hours to the hospital in situations where every minute counts. 

Air ambulance operators make nearly 5,000 lifesaving flights per year in our state. However, despite the fact that so many people need their services, these brave men and women risk being out of a job soon. Air ambulance bases across Louisiana are in danger of closing and in turn costing people lives and livelihoods.

Congress’ solution to this? Federal government price controls that end up allowing insurers to pay even less to these operators. Price controls are not conservative – especially in healthcare. The road to socialism is paved with small tweaks to our economy like this and I think I speak for most conservatives when I say, we don’t need any more socialism in our country’s healthcare. Obamacare was enough for a lifetime! We appreciate Senators Cassidy and Kennedy taking a close look at any surprise billing legislation and work to ensure a solution that preserves access to emergency care. 

OPINION: Protect Access is Key to Health Care

Access to affordable and reliable medical services is key to any conversation surrounding health care in 2019. With a rise of rural hospital closures, the care Louisianans rely on is moving further away from them each year.

Knowing that, is it concerning that Congress is considering legislation that could actually further limit access to quality, lifesaving services. The Lower Health Care Costs Act being considered in Washington does more harm than good when it comes to our health care system. 

At first glance, the Lower Health Care Costs Act addresses a critical problem: surprise billing. When a patient uses a service like an air ambulance, there are situations where insurers do not cover the costs, sometimes leaving patients with an unexpected, hefty medical bill. I think we can all agree that is a practice that should cease. 

Unfortunately, in an attempt to address this issue, the current proposal makes the challenge of providing rural health care worse. By setting a rate of reimbursement, the legislationdiscourages fair in-network agreement between insurers and air ambulance companies. Left without the funds needed to cover their operating costs, air ambulances would like close.  A patientmight avoid a bill, but they will also lose access the emergency health care they rely on in the direst situations.

This is not a tradeoff we should have to make. Let’s find a solution that protects patients from surprise bills and protects their access to quality health care.

Quin Bates - Retired Chemical Plant Manager

Steve Forbes: Pelosi's 'Medicare-for-all' strategy looks a lot like a big wooden horse

Photo source: Fox News

Medicare-for-all would wipe out the entire American insurance industry, taking with it all exchange plans and all employer and union-provided health care coverage. Half a million U.S. jobs would be eliminated.

But Pelosi, ultra-liberal that she is at heart, still craves "Medicare-for-all" as much as anyone. She just knows she’s going to have to be tricky to get it done.

Read more: Steve Forbes: Pelosi's 'Medicare-for-all' strategy looks a lot like a big wooden horse