What We're Reading: Democrats Debate Medicare for All; Insulin Makers Questioned; Best Hospital Rankings

Democrats Spar on Medicare for All During Second Debate

While Senators Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont, and Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, defended Medicare for all during the second round of Democratic presidential debates, other candidates strayed away from supporting the plan, reported Politico. Both Sanders and Warren called universal coverage a moral obligation. However, other candidates warned that the system would force people off of private coverage. Former Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper and current Montana Governor Steve Bullock called Medicare for all an unsustainable government-run system that would negatively impact hospitals and the healthcare industry.

New York Attorney General Subpoenas 3 Insulin Makers

The New York Attorney General has issued subpoenas to insulin makers Sanofi, Eli Lilly, and Novo Nordisk, inquiring about their pricing practices. According to STAT, the subpoenas seek various documents regarding pricing, discount programs, sales and expenses, contracting, marketing materials, and legal proceedings. Spokespeople from Sanofi and Eli Lilly said that the companies are cooperating and a spokeswoman from Novo Nordisk said “this is a matter we take extremely seriously,” reported STAT.

US News & World Report Releases Best Hospital Rankings

US News & Report has announced its 30th Annual Best Hospital Rankings for 2019-2020. Mayo Clinic came out on top as the best hospital in the country while the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center once again was named the top cancer center. The Cleveland Clinic came in at number 4 on the best hospital list and topped the list for best hospital for cardiology and heart surgery. This year, the rankings included 2 additional patient-centered measures: patient experience score and an outcome measure looking at how often patients go directly home from the hospital rather than transitioning to a nursing home or other care setting.