What We're Reading: New Medicaid Head; First Flu Death; Pharma Campaign Tracker

Trump Names Maine Official Opposed to Medicaid Expansion to Run National Program

President Donald Trump named a Maine official opposed to Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act for a position that puts her in charge of the national program, the Associated Press reported. Mary Mayhew's role of deputy administrator and director at CMS will place her in charge of the federal healthcare program for low-income people. She served as commissioner of Maine's Department of Health and Human Services for 7 years under Republican Gov. Paul LePage. Separately, the news service reported that Arkansas cut another 4100 people from their health insurance and another 4800 people will lose coverage at the end of the month for not meeting a new Medicaid work requirement.

Unvaccinated Florida Child Becomes First Influenza Fatality This Season

An unvaccinated child in Florida has died from the flu, becoming the first person to die from the disease this season, The Hill reported. The child was diagnosed with influenza B and died sometime between September 30 and October 6, according to state health officials. The child had no underlying medical conditions, officials said. About 80% of the 80,000 people who died last year from the flu were unvaccinated, according to the CDC.

Kaiser Creates Database to Track Pharma Influence on Congress Through Contributions

Kaiser Health News has created a database to track up to 10 years of pharmaceutical company contributions to any or all members of Congress, spotlighting drugmakers’ efforts to influence legislation. Kaiser reported that since the beginning of 2017, drugmakers contributed to 217 Republicans and 187 Democrats, giving only slightly more on average to Republicans, who currently control both chambers of Congress. This was also the case for Democrats during the 2010 election cycle, when they controlled Congress.