What We’re Reading: COVID-19 Cruise Reporting; 2023 Health Plan Costs; Drug Price Control Battle

CDC Stops Reporting COVID-19 Cases on Cruise Ships

A CDC program that reported COVID-19 case levels on cruise ships in US waters ended Monday, The Washington Post reported. According to the CDC, the cruise industry now has the necessary tools to prevent the virus’ spread and communicate COVID-19 levels to their passengers. However, these same cruise lines are still required to report COVID-19 cases to the agency. The decision to end the program also surrounded the CDC’s dependence on every cruise line to follow the same screening and testing standards which may now vary by cruise line.

Health Insurance Costs Likely to Increase in 2023

An analysis of 72 health plans participating in the Affordable Care Act revealed the plans are seeking greater premium increases compared with recent years, with a median proposed increase of 10%. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation Health System Tracker analysis, this is largely related to increases in payments to doctors, hospitals, and drug companies, as well as in service utilization by enrollees. The COVID-19 pandemic was found to only have a slight or neutral impact on health costs, while the potential expiration of American Rescue Plan Act subsidies was found to be the most common concern among insurers.

Biden Plan to Curb Drug Prices Divides Senate

Following news of President Joe Biden’s narrowed economic package that would curb prescription drug prices, senators have expressed polarizing views on the plan, The Associated Press reported. If implemented, the package would allow Medicare to negotiate purchase prices for pharmaceuticals, require that manufacturers pay rebates for certain price increases, enforce a $2000 annual cap on out-of-pocket costs for Medicare recipients, and provide free vaccines for older individuals. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the plan would save the US government $288 billion over the next decade.