Ben Affleck was spotted working at Dunkin’ Donuts today in the Boston area. No, he’s not dazed and confused, as reported Filming a commercial For the sake of the company.
Today on health, we look at House Republicans’ focus on investigating the COVID-19 pandemic, its origins, and how the federal government has responded.
you welcome in Heal Healthcare Roundup, where we catch up on the latest moves related to politics and news affecting your health. they were Nathaniel Wicksell And Joseph Choi. Someone refer you this newsletter?
Republican House looking into virus origins, pandemic funds
Republicans have dramatically redirected the focus of the House committee investigating the government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, a move in line with the new majority’s oversight focus.
As part of the rules package that passed House 220-213 Monday night, the 12-member Select Committee on Coronavirus Response will be tasked with examining the origins of the pandemic, including federal funding for gain-of-function research.
The committee’s focus is on a major change to how it operates under the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives. Former President James Clyburn (DS.C) prioritized looking at the early response and shortcomings of the Trump administration, as well as the former president’s political interference.
- An examination of gain-of-function research is central to the common Republican position that the virus originated from a laboratory in Wuhan, China, and was likely supported by funding from the US government. Late last year, Republicans on the House Foreign Affairs Committee released a report concluding that the pandemic began with a virus escaped from a Wuhan lab.
- The coronavirus commission will also investigate trillions of dollars in pandemic aid, federal authorizations related to COVID-19, and the impact of school closures.
Sanders: Moderna’s planned Vax price hike ‘greedy’
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) called on Moderna not to quadruple the price of its COVID-19 vaccine, saying Tuesday that the plan amounted to “unacceptable corporate greed.”
In a Tuesday letter sent to Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel, Sanders urged the company to reconsider its decision and refrain from any price increase “in light of the role the federal government played in vaccine development.”
- Sanders, the incoming chair of the Senate Health Committee, said the company’s decision to charge up to $130 a dose once the shots make it to the commercial market is “outrageous” and will cost taxpayers billions of dollars.
- “As you know, the federal government has, over the years, supported Moderna every step of the way back to 2013 when your company was reported to have only three employees. Now, in the midst of an ongoing public health crisis and growing federal deficits, is not the time for our suppliers to double price.” This vaccine four times,” he wrote. “Now is not the time for unacceptable corporate greed.”
Bancel told the Wall Street Journal on Monday that Moderna is considering charging between $110 and $130 a dose in the United States when the government contract expires and the vaccine switches to commercial distribution.
Cannabis-related ER visitation among seniors on the rise of Calif.
An increasing number of seniors are visiting emergency rooms in California because of cannabis-related issues, according to the new Research.
Cannabis is currently legal for medical and recreational use in California. It became the first state in the country to legalize medical marijuana 1996while the substance was not approved for recreational use there until November 2016.
- From 2005 to 2019, state emergency departments saw a relative 1,808 percent increase in the rate of cannabis-related trips among those 65 and older.
- The study found that emergency department visits related to cannabis in California rose sharply among older adults from 2013 to 2017, but plateaued after 2017 following the implementation of the state’s legalization program. Based on these findings, the researchers note that legalizing recreational marijuana does not appear to be associated with higher emergency department visits among older adults.
Data from the Healthcare Access and Information Administration shows that the number of emergency department visits by seniors in California related to cannabis use increased from 20.7 per 100,000 visits in 2005 to 395 per 100,000 visits in 2019.
100 deaths now linked to infant hunter sleep recalled
The Consumer Product Safety Commission announced Monday that at least 100 deaths have been linked to the now-recalled Fisher-Price rock and play slimes, a number more than triple the number of deaths initially reported.
A note to consumers on the authority’s website says they “should stop using Rock ‘n Play immediately and contact Fisher-Price for a refund or receipt”.
The commission added that it was “unlawful to sell or distribute recovered sleep sleepers”.
- A recall was issued from the giant children’s toy production company in April 2019. At that time, more than 30 deaths have been linked to the product. The commission said the deaths occurred after “children were rolled from their back onto their stomach or side while unrestrained or in other circumstances”.
- Since the initial recall, about 70 other deaths have been linked to the product. At least eight of these deaths were reported after the initial recall was announced.
Officials turn the Medicare and Social Security talks against the GOP
The White House is turning the tables on House Republican lawmakers when it comes to conservative-led spending proposals that Democrats warn could mean cuts to crucial programs like Medicare and Social Security.
The Biden administration is already building on a strategy it released during the midterm season in which it highlighted talk from several Republican congressional lawmakers about how they plan to use their new House majorities to consider cuts to entitlement programs like Social Security and Medicare.
Strategists and White House officials believe the prospect of Republicans holding the debt ceiling hostage in exchange for spending cuts is both dangerous economically and a political loser for the GOP.
When it came to the battle of speakers, seven hardline Republicans included requests to limit spending as part of their many demands last month to Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.).
- But some Republicans insist Medicare and Social Security should not be compromised, just as many conservatives distanced themselves from Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) proposing last year to offer funding for those programs to vote every five years. .
- House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) said Sunday that while Republicans want to balance the budget and make spending cuts, that includes “every area of state government except Social Security and Medicare.”
what we read
- For the new GOP House majority, focus on abortion messages (Roll Call)
- Research indicates that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) pathway to clear medical devices puts patients at risk (stat)
- Experts say hospitals’ use of volunteer staff threatens to circumvent labor laws (Kaiser Health News)
State by state
- Nurses extend the strike for a second day at two major hospitals in New York City (The New York Times)
- New California Senate health chair to prioritize mental health and homelessness (Los Angeles Times)
- Lawsuit challenges use of antiquated lethal injection drugs as Texas prepares to execute Robert Fratta (Texas Tribune)
OP-ED at the hill
Nurses deserve better, but strikes aren’t the answer
That’s it for today, thanks for reading. Check out The Hill’s Health care page For the latest news and coverage. see you tomorrow.