Health and Science
Updated: A CBO Estimate of the Direct Spending and Revenue Effects of the Better Care Reconciliation Act of 2017, a Senate Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute to H.R. 1628
The Senate bill would increase the number of people who are uninsured by 22 million in 2026 relative to the number under current law, slightly fewer than the increase in the number of uninsured estimated for the House-passed legislation. By 2026, an estimated 49 million people would be uninsured, compared with 28 million who would lack insurance that year under current law. more »
Compare Proposals to Replace The Affordable Care Act: The Better Care Reconciliation Act of 2017 vs. The American Health Care Act, as passed by the House May 4, 2017
Editor's Note: We're including a paragraph from The New York Times' coverage of the new bill: "Older people could be disproportionately hurt because they pay more for insurance in general. Both chambers' bills would allow insurers to charge older people five times as much as younger ones; the limit now is three times." The Kaiser FamilyFoundation (not connected to Kaiser Permanente) has compared the two recent plans offered up by the Republican leadership. more »
The GAO Reviews Memory Supplement Marketing and Oversight; Examples of Memory Supplement Marketing Practices and Potential Violations of Federal Requirements
Memory supplements — dietary supplements claiming to improve memory — are a growing market, with sales estimated at $643 million in 2015, almost double 2006 sales. FDA and FTC share oversight of memory supplement marketing — labeling and advertising claims — but generally do not approve claims before products are marketed. more »
California’s Aid-In-Dying Law Turns One Year Old, But Not All Doctors Have Adopted It
Complying with the law is not easy; doctors must ensure that the patient is likely to die within six months, mentally competent to make an informed decision and physically able to take the medicine. A second doctor has to agree. Patients must make two oral requests at least 15 days apart and a written request. And doctors have to document the whole process with various forms and paperwork along the way. more »
