What We’re Reading: House Passes Health Care Package; Insurers Tighten Ozempic Coverage; Arizona Court to Hear Abortion Arguments

House Passes Health Care Package in Bipartisan Vote

The House passed a significant health care package in a bipartisan 320-71 vote, marking an end-of-year accomplishment after previous setbacks, according to Stat. While the bill is unlikely to pass the Senate in its current form, the policies, including equalizing drug administration payments in Medicare across hospital outpatient departments and physician offices, addressing pharmacy benefit manager practices, and implementing health care price transparency rules, gain visibility for potential inclusion in a government funding deal. The most debated aspect, the Lower Costs, More Transparency Act, featuring site-neutral payments for drug administration, faces opposition from hospitals concerned about potential financial consequences and broader Medicare implications.

Patients Face Reimbursement Hurdles for Ozempic as Insurers Impose Restrictions

Some patients with type 2 diabetes are experiencing challenges in getting reimbursed for drugs like semaglutide (Ozempic) due to US insurers implementing restrictions to discourage prescribing the medication for weight loss, according to Reuters. Novo Nordisk acknowledged tighter health plan management of glucagon-like peptide-1 drugs, contributing to a recent decline in US prescriptions. Patients report delays and obstacles, including prior authorization requirements and the need to try alternative medications, raising concerns about potential impacts on diabetes management and overall health outcomes.

Arizona State Supreme Court to Hear Arguments on Reinstating Near-Total Abortion Ban

The Arizona State Supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments regarding the potential reinstatement of a centuries-old near-total abortion ban, with conflicting laws causing uncertainty after the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade, according to ABC News. The current 15-week abortion ban in Arizona faces challenges, and the court will decide whether the 1864 law, which bans abortion with criminal penalties, will be enforced. Planned Parenthood Arizona aims to affirm the Court of Appeals' decision to preserve abortion access, while abortion advocates simultaneously seek a ballot measure to secure abortion rights in the state's constitution.