Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
New GOP Push: Restore OTC Drugs As Eligible For Health Savings Accounts
Rep. Lynn Jenkins is pushing a bipartisan $5 billion change to the health care law that would restore over-the-counter drugs as eligible expenses for health savings accounts. Jenkins, vice chairman of the Republican Conference, predicted broad bipartisan support for her new proposal (HR 1270), co-sponsored by Democrat Ron Kind of Wisconsin. (Ota, 3/9)
Sens. Rand Paul, Cory Booker and Kirsten Gillibrand will introduce on Tuesday a Senate bill that would legalize medical marijuana under federal law, another possible step towards relaxation of once strict policies toward the drug. (Everett, 3/9)
With the medical billing system in the United States on track for a major conversion, physician-lawmakers in Congress are calling for help for doctors whose cash flows may be disrupted during this transition to the ICD-10 codes. There's a drive underway to have the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services offer some accommodations for doctors as an Oct. 1 deadline for the code switchover nears. (Young, 2/9)
Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin (R) on Monday endorsed an idea put forward by some congressional Republicans to help soften the impact of a Supreme Court ruling against part of Obamacare. (Sullivan, 3/9)
