First Edition: January 15, 2016
Today's early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Kaiser Health News:
Study: Some Marketplace Customers Spend 25 Percent Of Income On Health Expenses
Even with subsidies to make coverage more affordable, many people who buy health insurance on the marketplaces spend more than 10 percent of their income on premiums, deductibles and other out-of-pocket payments, a recent study found. Among those hit hardest, the researchers said, are people who spend nearly a quarter of their income on health care expenses. (Andrews, 1/15)
The Washington Post:
The Detente Between Trump And Cruz Is Definitely Over
The mutually beneficial campaign detente between Donald Trump and Sen. Ted Cruz (Tex.) came to an end on the debate stage here Thursday. The two Republican presidential candidates, locked in a tight race to win the Feb. 1 Iowa caucuses, argued over whether Cruz meets the constitutional requirements to serve as president and whether Trump is a trustworthy conservative or is tainted by what Cruz called “New York values.” ... Trump brushed off criticism of his demeanor, saying, “I will gladly accept the mantle of anger.” “Our military is a disaster,” he said. “Our health care is a horror show. Obamacare, we’re going to repeal it and replace it. ... Our country is being run by incompetent people. And yes, I am angry.” (Tumulty and Rucker, 1/15)
USA Today:
Republican Hopefuls Brawl In Feisty Debate
Donald Trump and Ted Cruz exchanged their harshest attacks yet Thursday in the first Republican presidential debate of 2016, one that revealed three groups of candidates — those looking to win the early contests, finish strong or simply survive. ... Two other candidates faring well in the polls also mixed it up during the feisty debate — Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida and Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey. Rubio said Christie supported President Obama’s agenda on education and guns and even “wrote a check to Planned Parenthood” — charges Christie rejected. “This is the difference between being a governor and being a senator,” Christie said. (Wolf and Jackson, 1/15)
The Wall Street Journal:
Health-Care Fight Bruises Both Hillary Clinton And Bernie Sanders
As the fight over health care between Hillary Clinton and Sen. Bernie Sanders grows nastier, both presidential candidates risk winding up on the wrong side of an issue Democrats care about deeply. So far, Mr. Sanders hasn’t released the details of his proposal for a single-payer health-care plan, where the government replaces insurers, and thus risks being seen as unwilling to explain or defend his ideas. He also hasn’t said how he would pay for his plan, estimated at some $15 trillion over 10 years. Mrs. Clinton, the former secretary of state and senator, risks being cast as an opponent of universal health care, a goal that has long been a top priority for her party. (Meckler, 1/14)
Los Angeles Times:
Tightening Democratic Race Revives Party's Old Debate Over Healthcare
The divergent views epitomize the differences between the candidates – Hillary Clinton as a battle-hardened realist, with Bernie Sanders the uncompromising crusader – and the healthcare debate has become one of the most rancorous parts of an increasingly competitive primary. Polls show Sanders closing the gap with Clinton in Iowa and leading her in New Hampshire, the states that hold the country’s first two nominating contests. (Megerian and Levey, 1/15)
The New York Times:
New Louisiana Governor, John Bel Edwards, Is Off To A Volatile Start
John Bel Edwards was sworn in the Deep South’s only Democratic governor this week, and already he has experienced momentous triumph — and momentous defeat. In his first major act in office, Mr. Edwards signed an order expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, extending health benefits to roughly 300,000 poor Louisianans. Some of his supporters cried as he signed it. (Fausset and Alford, 1/14)
Reuters:
Planned Parenthood Files U.S. Lawsuit Against Group Behind Secret Videos
The 65-page complaint alleged that the Center for Medical Progress is a "complex criminal enterprise" that violated racketeering laws, set up a fake company and secured false identification to access private abortion conferences and meetings in California, Maryland and Florida. The complaint also accused the group of violation of privacy, fraudulent misrepresentation, breach of contract, and trespassing in connection with the video-recording campaign. The Center for Medical Progress called the lawsuit "frivolous" in a statement. (Skinner, 1/14)
The Wall Street Journal:
President Obama’s Favorite Moment? The Night Obamacare Passed
President Barack Obama said Thursday that the best moment of his time at the White House came in March 2010, after the passage of his signature health-care bill. Mr. Obama has cited the shootings in Newtown, [Conn.], as the worst moment of his presidency. (1/14)
USA Today:
Paul Ryan's Short List Of What Could Get Done This Year
House Speaker Paul Ryan has a list -- a short list, to be sure -- of legislation that he thinks has a good chance of passing the Republican-controlled Congress and being signed by the Democratic president, even during this election year. It's clear that the biggest proposals won't get enacted, from the GOP's goal of repealing the Affordable Care Act to President Obama's support of a comprehensive immigration bill. Ryan cited … other bills with bright prospects this year: … Mental health legislation, now before the House Energy and Commerce Committee. "I think there's promise in that area because there are some Democrats who are agreeing with us on that." Among other things, the legislation would make it easier for people with addiction, depression and other mental illnesses to get treatment. (Page, 1/14)
The Wall Street Journal:
FDA Rejects New Drug Application For BioMarin’s Duchenne Treatment
BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. on Thursday said the U.S. Food and Drug Administration had rejected its new drug application for a treatment of a fatal form of muscular dystrophy because of questions about the drug’s effectiveness. The biopharmaceutical company said it would work with the FDA to determine next steps for the treatment, called drisapersen, and that studies will continue. (Steele, 1/14)
NPR:
Warning Labels Might Help Parents Buy Fewer Sugary Drinks, Study Finds
Lately, the idea of affixing a health warning label to sugary beverages has been getting traction. So far, no city or state has been able to pass such a measure. But several are trying. California, New York and Baltimore all have legislation in the works requiring these labels on sugary drinks. Until now, the effectiveness of such a label has been presumptive, drawing from the large body of research showing that warning labels on tobacco and alcohol products work. But research appearing in the journal Pediatrics Thursday suggests that a warning label on sugary beverages might indeed deter people from buying the products. (Barclay, 1/14)
NPR:
For Teenagers, Adult-Sized Opioid Addiction Treatment Doesn't Fit
Deaths from heroin overdose in all age groups doubled from 2010 to 2012, according to a 2014 study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In response, communities are seeking new strategies to treat addiction and speed access to care. That includes trying to meet the unique needs of youth after years of addiction treatments geared to adults. Serenity Mesa is one of those youth-centered efforts. (Benson, 1/15)