January 4 - January 17, 2018

The purpose of this bulletin is to compile a handful of articles relating to health care coverage in the United States that are most pertinent to LIUNA and its health and welfare funds. We hope you find this biweekly bulletin helpful and informative.

The Hill: Lawmakers Weigh Measure To Fight High Drug Prices

Lawmakers are considering adding a measure aimed at fighting high drug prices to an upcoming spending deal, in what would be a rare defeat for the powerful pharmaceutical industry.

The Washington Times: Uninsured Rate Rose In Trump’s First Year: Gallup Poll

An estimated 3.2 million Americans became uninsured during President Trump’s first year, Gallup said Tuesday in a survey that says rising premiums, declining competition in Obamacare markets and confusion over the GOP’s repeal plans drove the losses.

NPR: Alcohol-Related ER Visits Soar, Especially Among Women

Most Americans drink safely and in moderation.

Kaiser Health News: An Opioid Remedy That Works: Treat Pain And Addiction At The Same Time

Seven years ago, Robert Kerley, who makes his living as a truck driver, was loading drywall when a gust of wind knocked him off the trailer.

The Washington Post: The Cancer Death Rate Has Dropped Again. Here's Why.

The nation's overall cancer death rate declined 1.7 percent in 2015, the latest indication of steady, long-term progress against the disease, according to a new report by the American Cancer Society.

STATES IN THE NEWS

Idaho Statesman: Why Idaho Believes It Can Let Insurers Lift Some Obamacare Requirements

Such a move would be aimed at middle-class uninsured Idahoans, including the self-employed.

The Baltimore Sun: Maryland Granted One-Year Extension For Hospital Cost-Control Program

State and federal health officials delayed the potential expansion of Maryland’s experimental health care cost control program by another year to give them more time to evaluate data from 2017.