White House proposes a narrowing of FDA’s mission — and a new name

White House proposes a narrowing of FDA’s mission — and a new name - The Trump administration has proposed a fundamental change to the mission of the Food and Drug Administration, one that would transfer most of the responsibility for regulating food safety to the Department of Agriculture and rename the FDA the “Federal Drug Administration.

Head of new U.S. corporate health plan cites surgery as biggest cost

Head of new U.S. corporate health plan cites surgery as biggest cost - Dr. Atul Gawande, a surgeon who was named this week to head the company being formed by Amazon, Berkshire Hathaway and JPMorgan Chase to trim employee healthcare costs, on Thursday cited surgery as the single biggest U.S. healthcare cost and said there are ways to both cut costs and improve patient care.

The tough Senate map for Democrats is looking a little less tough

The tough Senate map for Democrats is looking a little less tough - Retaking the Senate in 2018 was always a tough climb for Democrats because they are defending 10 seats in states that Donald Trump won in 2016. But that difficult terrain is looking a little less daunting these days, as new polling has led some election forecasters to believe several of those states are actually quite safely in Democratic hands.

Atul Gawande Named CEO Of Health Venture By Amazon, Berkshire Hathaway And JPMorgan

Atul Gawande Named CEO Of Health Venture By Amazon, Berkshire Hathaway And JPMorgan - Surgeon, author and checklist-evangelist Atul Gawande has been picked to lead the health care venture formed by online giant Amazon, conglomerate Berkshire Hathaway and banking juggernaut JPMorgan.

Trump federal reorganization plan due to arrive this week

Trump federal reorganization plan due to arrive this week - The White House is expected to announce as soon as Thursday a wide-ranging government reorganization plan that will include a consolidation of safety-net programs under a rebranded Department of Health and Human Services.

Bloomberg pledges $80M in midterm spending focused on flipping House

Bloomberg pledges $80M in midterm spending focused on flipping House - Billionaire Michael Bloomberg will spend at least $80 million on political campaigns this year, aiming to help Democrats retake the House of Representatives, the former New York City mayor announced on Wednesday.

Trump’s $15B cutbacks bill fails first Senate test

Trump’s $15B cutbacks bill fails first Senate test - The Senate narrowly rejected an attempt to call up the Trump administration’s proposal to cancel billions of dollars from programs like the Children’s Health Insurance Program, dealing a potentially fatal blow to the White House’s first major cost-cutting effort.

CMS seeks information to reduce stark law burden

CMS seeks information to reduce stark law burden

Trump administration expands use of health plans that skirt ACA consumer protections

Healthcare provider organizations seek digital tools to improve the patient experience

Healthcare provider organizations seek digital tools to improve the patient experience - More than two-thirds of healthcare organizations say they're adopting new technology initiatives to improve the patient experience and over half say clinical outcomes is a motivation for new tech tools, according to a new EY survey.

House GOP budget sets up massive safety net cuts, Obamacare repeal bid

House GOP budget sets up massive safety net cuts, Obamacare repeal bid - House Republican budget writers debuted an ambitious deficit-reduction plan Tuesday that would force GOP committees to cut at least $302 billion over a decade and potentially lay the groundwork for another repeal vote on Obamacare.

With Tariffs, Trump starts unraveling a quarter century of U.S.-China Trade Ties

With Tariffs, Trump starts unraveling a quarter century of U.S.-China Trade Ties

Congress tackles mounting opioid epidemic

Congress tackles mounting opioid epidemic - House Republicans are beefing up their efforts to tackle the nation's deadly opioid crisis, but some experts question how effective their piecemeal approach will be.

Republicans give up on Medicare overhaul

Republicans give up on Medicare overhaul - Republicans on Capitol Hill are giving up on what might be their last best chance to overhaul Medicare, just as they’re losing their leading champion on the issue, House Speaker Paul Ryan.

Why the Medical Research Grant System Could Be Costing Us Great Ideas

Why the Medical Research Grant System Could Be Costing Us Great Ideas

Democrats and Republicans unite — at least briefly, on a baseball diamond

Democrats and Republicans unite — at least briefly, on a baseball diamond - Sportsmanship is supposed to define the Congressional Baseball Game for Charity, bringing Democrats and Republicans together away from the Capitol. But last year, it was a tragedy surrounding the event that united their parties.

As Medicaid Costs Soar, States Try A New Approach

As Medicaid Costs Soar, States Try A New Approach - Sandy Dowland has been to the emergency room 10 times in the past year and was hospitalized during four of those visits. She has had a toe amputated and suffers from uncontrolled diabetes, high blood pressure, major depression, obesity and back pain. But her health is not high on the 41-year-old woman’s priority list.

U.S. and China announce new tariffs in escalation of trade war

U.S. and China announce new tariffs in escalation of trade war
President Trump followed through Friday on his threat to crack down on China for its “very unfair” trade practices, imposing a 25 percent tariff on $50 billion in Chinese imports, and drawing an immediate threat of retaliation from Beijing.

Trump: ‘I certainly wouldn’t sign’ House GOP immigration compromise

Trump: ‘I certainly wouldn’t sign’ House GOP immigration compromise - President Trump said Friday that he would oppose a compromise immigration bill cobbled together by House Republicans – dealing a significant blow to GOP leaders who have scrambled to rally support for the bill.

House Prepares for Week of Action on Opioid Bills

House Prepares for Week of Action on Opioid Bills: "The House will begin a voting marathon Tuesday on 34 bills designed to address the opioid epidemic. While most are not likely to be contentious, two have previously stirred controversy."

Fall Elections Key Moment in Medicaid Expansion Debate

Fall Elections Key Moment in Medicaid Expansion Debate: "The midterm elections are poised to play a pivotal role in whether more states expand Medicaid eligibility, as the number of red-state holdouts dwindles."

Dems seek to leverage ObamaCare fight for midterms | TheHill

Dems seek to leverage ObamaCare fight for midterms | TheHill: Democrats are seizing on the Trump administration’s push in court to overturn ObamaCare’s protections for people with pre-existing conditions, hoping to leverage the issue ahead of November’s midterm elections as some Republicans rush to distance themselves from the move.

Opioid crisis: House to vote on bills to fight painkiller addiction

Opioid crisis: House to vote on bills to fight painkiller addiction: "The nation’s growing addiction to prescription painkillers will command much of Congress’ attention over the next two weeks as House lawmakers consider dozens of bills that they hope will help curb the deadly opioid epidemic."

Trump officials meet with drug companies to push for voluntary price cuts | TheHill

Trump officials meet with drug companies to push for voluntary price cuts | TheHill: "Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) officials have been meeting with pharmaceutical companies to seek voluntary cuts in drug prices, according to sources familiar with the meetings."

Primary Elections 2018: What to Watch For - The New York Times

Primary Elections 2018: What to Watch For - The New York Times: "Five states are holding primaries on Tuesday: Nevada, Virginia, Maine, South Carolina and North Dakota. Here’s what you need to know about key races in each state."

For Some in Congress, the Opioid Crisis Is Personal

For Some in Congress, the Opioid Crisis Is Personal: "As drug overdoses climb — rising 12 percent between October 2016 and October 2017 — Congress has floated dozens of proposals to combat opioid abuse. Some lawmakers have deeply personal connections to the epidemic of addiction in America. These are their stories."

House Republicans serve up Trump’s spending cuts - POLITICO

House Republicans serve up Trump’s spending cuts - POLITICO: "The House passed a cost-cutting measure Thursday that President Donald Trump has personally championed, advancing the first major deficit-reduction bill of his tenure."

Go deeper: Donald Trump's latest threat to the Affordable Care Act - Axios

Go deeper: Donald Trump's latest threat to the Affordable Care Act - Axios: "The Justice Department said last night that the Affordable Care Act's individual mandate has become unconstitutional. Even more importantly, it says the law's most popular provision — guaranteed coverage for people with pre-existing conditions — also has to go."

Republicans wage trade war against Trump - POLITICO

Republicans wage trade war against Trump - POLITICO: "Republicans are finally reaching their breaking point with President Donald Trump on trade."

California Today: How Does Trump Play Into the Governor’s Race? - The New York Times

California Today: How Does Trump Play Into the Governor’s Race? - The New York Times: "As Gavin Newsom and John Cox gathered on election night with supporters of their campaigns for governor in San Francisco and San Diego, another man loomed over the celebrations: President Trump."

Top takeaways from 2018’s biggest primary night - POLITICO

Top takeaways from 2018’s biggest primary night - POLITICO: "On the biggest primary day of 2018, Democrats avoided the disaster in California they’d been fearing, while Republicans scored an important top-of-the-ticket victory."

Schumer to McConnell: Let's spend August on health care - POLITICO

Schumer to McConnell: Let's spend August on health care - POLITICO: "Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's move to scrap most of the chamber's August recess promises to rob politically imperiled Democratic incumbents of campaigning time, but Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is embracing the change with a pitch for how to spend it: health care."

House Democrats throw wrench in GOP spending plans - POLITICO

House Democrats throw wrench in GOP spending plans - POLITICO: "House Democratic leaders are pushing back against a GOP spending package slated for a floor vote this week, potentially forcing Republican leaders into a last-minute vote scramble while undercutting their strategy to avoid a fiscal showdown this fall."

Health care is top issue in California, New Jersey midterm primaries - Axios

Health care is top issue in California, New Jersey midterm primaries - Axios: "Last night's primaries set up a major role for health care in November’s midterms, both in individual races and as a part of Democrats’ search for a nationwide wave."

Could Districts in Orange County Turn Blue? - The Atlantic

Could Districts in Orange County Turn Blue? - The Atlantic: "Scott Baugh stood on soft carpet inside the Meadowlark Golf Club before the monthly meeting of the Huntington Harbour Republican Women Federated. Golfers whacked at balls outside under a gray sky. A couple dozen older women and a few men had loaded their plates with fried chicken, coleslaw, and mac and cheese from the buffet and returned to their tables, and now applauded as Baugh began with a paean to the president."

Watchdog report finds surge in Medicare drug spending | TheHill

Watchdog report finds surge in Medicare drug spending | TheHill: "Medicare spending on prescription drugs has surged in recent years, despite a drop in the number of prescriptions, according to a new report."

The Super Tuesday of 2018 has arrived. Here’s what you need to watch. - POLITICO

The Super Tuesday of 2018 has arrived. Here’s what you need to watch. - POLITICO: "Voters in eight states go to the polls Tuesday for the biggest single primary day of 2018. But the main event on this super Tuesday is in California."

Californians Go to Polls With High Stakes and Some High Anxiety - The New York Times

Californians Go to Polls With High Stakes and Some High Anxiety - The New York Times: "Candidates from governor and senator to county assessor and city councilor used the final hours before Tuesday’s primary to campaign across California, but state and national Democrats were anxiously watching three Orange County House districts where they fear their glut of contenders could lock them out of the general election."

Majority Leader McCarthy defends Trump tariffs - POLITICO

Majority Leader McCarthy defends Trump tariffs - POLITICO: "House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy on Sunday defended the administration for leveraging tariffs on close allies as “standing up” for free trade."

Vulnerable Democrats campaign on opioids, drug prices - Axios

Vulnerable Democrats campaign on opioids, drug prices - Axios: "Vulnerable Senate Democrats have found a common villain: the pharmaceutical industry. They're highlighting both drug prices and the opioid epidemic as they try to make their cases to voters."

California’s race for governor has become a referendum on resistance - The Washington Post

California’s race for governor has become a referendum on resistance - The Washington Post: "In the race to become governor of the nation’s most populous state, a place that has become synonymous with liberal resistance to Donald Trump, the president has seemed ­ever-present. The Democratic front-runner in Tuesday’s primary, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, has campaigned with a promise of fierce combat against a president widely unpopular here."

5 important voting rules to know before California's primary

5 important voting rules to know before California's primary: "While millions of Californians have already mailed in ballots for the Tuesday primary, most registered voters are either still considering their choices or will weigh in at a local polling place on election day."