Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Viewpoints: The Pain Of Health Care Expenses; An ADA Anniversary In The Era Of Trump
On a scale of 0 to 10, how painful is the cost of your health care? Thats a question all physicians should ask their patients, and one that has become increasingly more relevant in everyday patient care due to the relentlessly rising costs of health care and prescription drugs. These are now compounded by the economic devastation of the Covid-19 pandemic. (Ted M. Burns, A. Gordon Smith and Jason L. Crowell, 7/23)
Thirty years agothis Sunday, President George H.W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act. The anniversary takes place at a dark moment. We have never had a president as hostile to people with disabilities as President Donald Trump. (John J. Pitney Jr., 7/24)
I never thought Id begin a column by praising Kim Kardashian West, but I do so today. Arguably the worlds most famous-for-being-famous celebrity, Kardashian West performed a valuable public service this week by talking openly about the helplessness family members can feel when trying to cope with a loved ones mental illness. (Eugene Robinson, 7/23)
Take the presumptive Democratic presidential nominees appearance Monday as Joy Reids inaugural guest on her new MSNBC show. Ms. Reid began by encouraging Mr. Biden to pummel President Trump on the coronavirus, which he did with gusto. Theres no leadership, Mr. Biden thundered. He has no idea what to do. Rather than challenge him on that, Ms. Reid asked Mr. Biden what he would do differently as president. His answer sounded good initially but doesnt amount to much. (Karl Rove, 7/23)
Mr. Trumps bragging about his test results may simply be part of his strategy to cast presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden as not all there. But its hard to fathom why the Trump campaign thinks this is a shrewd gambit. (Jonah Goldberg, 7/24)
Unfortunately, there is a further financial strain looming on the horizon, and this one is entirely preventable. As it stands today, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services plans to cut reimbursements for surgeons for certain procedures starting in January. While this rule was misguided before the COVID-19 pandemic, it is untenable in this environment. (John Calhoon, 7/23)
The U.S. health care system has long neglected minority mental health. It continues to do so during this time of coronavirus-wrought isolation, economic hardship, and social unrest. Paying homage to he-roes and she-roes in the long struggle for equal rights in mental health care offers hope. (Annelle Primm, Courtney Lang and Keris Jan Myrick, 7/24)
