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What We're Reading: Americans Want Healthcare Costs Kept in Check
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What we're reading, November 6, 2015: Americans want more aggressive measures to keep healthcare costs in check; the uninsured rate fell to 9% in the first half of 2015; and the federal government warns against restricting access to pricey hepatitis C drugs.
Americans Want More Aggressive Measures to Keep Healthcare Costs in Check
Nearly three-fourths of Americans want price controls placed on drug manufacturers, a sharp increase from 64% a year earlier, the HealthDay/Harris Poll found. In addition, a majority of Americans favor importing cheaper drugs from other countries and allowing Medicare to negotiate prices—two things proposed by both Hillary Clinton and Senator Bernie Sanders as part of their plans to keep rising drug costs in check.
Rate of Uninsured Continues Steady Decline
The uninsured rate was down to just 9% in the first half of 2015, the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics reported on Thursday. The number of uninsured has dropped 7.5 million from the same time a year earlier, The Wall Street Journal reported. Since the Affordable Care Act was passed in 2010, the uninsured rate has continue a steep and steady decline from 16%.
CMS Warns States About Restricting Access to Hepatitis C Drugs
The federal government is concerned about low-income individuals having difficulty accessing high-priced hepatitis C drugs, according to the Associated Press. CMS reminded states that they cannot legally restrict access by low-income people, and also sent letters to drug manufacturers about what they are doing to make drugs more affordable.
