The Latest: Corporate Leaders Are Getting Bullish On Government Action On Health Care Costs

Plus, KHN's What the Health? podcast discusses the first 100 days of health policy under the Biden administration.

View in browser April 30, 2021 Corporate Leaders Are Getting Bullish On Government Action On Health Care Costs   In a new column, Drew Altman explores whether the long struggle with rising health costs has caused the tide to turn in corporate leaders' attitudes towards government involvement in controlling health spending and whether it is part of a larger shift in comfort with government action to solve problems.   His column incorporates findings from a new survey that examines corporate executives' views on health care costs and the government's role in controlling them. The survey findings were discussed yesterday in a public web briefing, which also included an overview of policy options under consideration in Washington and remarks from U.S. Sen. Mike Braun and Rep. Bobby Scott. (Full Column, Axios Version) KHN's 'What the Health?': 100 Days of Health Policy   It's been a busy 100 days for the Biden administration on health policy. The promise Joe Biden made as president-elect to get 100 million covid vaccinations in arms was doubled, healthcare.gov reopened to those without insurance, and steps were taken to undo a raft of health policies implemented by President Donald Trump. But those actions may prove the high point for health policy this year. Administration officials initially promised that health would be a major part of the president's $1.8 trillion American Families Plan, but major changes were nowhere to be seen when the plan was unveiled Wednesday. (KHN) Global COVID-19 Vaccine Equity: U.S. Policy Options and Actions to Date   As India and other countries continue to grapple with major COVID-19 outbreaks even as cases decline in this country, there is increasing attention to the global role that could be played by the U.S. government. This is particularly the case now that the U.S. will soon have enough COVID-19 vaccine doses to fully vaccinate everyone in the country, and has also purchased additional doses of vaccines not yet authorized in the U.S. A new issue brief identifies the actions already taken by the U.S. government, reviews the main policy options on the table, and discusses key considerations in evaluating those options. (News Release, Issue Brief) The Vulnerable Homebound Are Left Behind on Vaccination   Even as the nation has moved on to vaccinating everyone 16 and older, the vast majority of homebound people have not yet been vaccinated. Across the nation, an estimated 4 million Americans are homebound by age, disability or frailty, unable to easily leave their homes to receive a covid vaccine. (KHN) Question of the Week   Last week, we asked readers what percentage of dentists reported an increase in patients grinding or clenching their teeth since the start of the pandemic. About 40% of readers chose the correct answer: 70%. Think you've stayed up-to-date on this week's new releases from KFF, KHN, and California Healthline? Test your knowledge with the following question:  How much higher is the COVID infection rate among incarcerated people than that of the general U.S. population? Three times higher Five times higher Eight times higher  See how many readers answered this week's question correctly in next Friday's edition of The Latest.   Special Coverage: COVID-19 Coronavirus The latest news and analysis on the coronavirus outbreak. You can find a complete list of recent releases on KFF.org and KHN.org. KHN's 'What the Health?': 100 Days of Health Policy (KHN) The Vulnerable Homebound Are Left Behind on Vaccination (KHN) Mental Health Services Wane as Insurers Appear to Skirt Parity Rules During Pandemic (KHN) As Vaccine Demand Slows, Political Differences Go on Display in California Counties (CHL) What a Difference a Year Makes in Colorado's Case for a Public Option Plan (KHN) Covid Forces Cohousing Communities to Examine Shared Values and Relationships (KHN) Despite All the Talk, Covid Vaccination Does Not Infect People With Shingles (KHN, Politifact) A 'Dose of Hope'? Fact-Checking President Joe Biden's First Speech to Congress (KHN) Global COVID-19 Vaccine Equity: U.S. Policy Options and Actions to Date (News Release, Issue Brief) Updated: COVID-19 Test Prices and Payment Policy (Issue Brief) Updated: COVID-19 Coronavirus Tracker – Updated as of April 30 (Interactive) Updated: State Data and Policy Actions to Address Coronavirus (Interactive)   Tracking COVID-19    New Global Confirmed Cases (on 4/29): 897,602 U.S. Positivity Rate (as of 4/29): 13.3% Share of Population with 1+ Vaccine Doses (as of 4/29): 44.8% News and Headlines News and headlines from Kaiser Health News (KHN) and California Healthline (CHL). Follow KHN on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and CHL on Facebook  and Twitter, for the latest updates. Addiction Treatment Providers in Pa. Face Little State Scrutiny Despite Harm to Clients (KHN, Spotlight PA) Two Unmatched-Doctor Advocacy Groups Are Tied to Anti-Immigrant Organizations (KHN, Daily Beast) In Poisoned Montana Town, Warren Buffett-Owned Railroad Accuses Clinic of Medicare Fraud (KHN) Latest news summaries from the KHN Morning Briefing Data and Analysis The latest policy analysis and data from KFF. Corporate Leaders Are Getting Bullish On Government Action On Health Care Costs (Full Column, Axios Version) How Corporate Executives View Rising Health Care Cost and the Role of Government (News Release, Report) April 29 Web Briefing: How Large Employers View Rising Health Care Costs and the Role of Government (Archived Recording) Updated: U.S. Global Health Budget Tracker (Interactive) The Buzz See what's driving health policy conversation on social media. Follow KFF on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest updates and perspectives. Filling the need for trusted information on national health issues, KFF is a nonprofit organization based in San Francisco, California. kff.org  |  khn.org Did someone forward this to you? Click here to subscribe to The Latest. This email was sent to albarkahslamet.ssss@blogger.com. Update your email preferences to choose the types of emails you receive. Or, permanently unsubscribe from all future emails.  If you need help or have questions, please send an email to subscriptions@kff.org. Please do not reply to this email as this address is not monitored. KFF 185 Berry Street Suite 2000 San Francisco, CA 94107