US Politics in Trump era
Trump to Drop Call for Medicare to Negotiate Lower Drug Prices
Congress Rejects Trump Proposals to Cut Health Research Funds
Congress has rejected President Trump’s plan to cut funds for biomedical research and would instead increase spending by the National Institutes of Health. The appropriations committees in both houses rejected Mr. Trump’s proposal to slash payments to universities for overhead — the “indirect costs” of research financed by the health institutes. These include the cost of utilities, internet service, data storage, the construction and upkeep of laboratories and compliance with federal rules protecting human subjects of clinical research.
Trump Concedes Health Law Overhaul Is ‘Unbelievably Complex’
President Trump, meeting with the nation’s governors, conceded Monday that he had not been aware of the complexities of health care policy-making: “I have to tell you, it’s an unbelievably complex subject. Nobody knew that health care could be so complicated.” The president also suggested that the struggle to replace the Affordable Care Act was creating a legislative logjam that could delay other parts of his political agenda.
Trump’s Health Secretary Pick Leaves Nation’s Doctors Divided
Donald Trump picks another controversial figure to head the health department. Tom Price, a physician, has conservative opinions on healthcare and favors “patient choice and market-based solutions” and wants to reduce “excessive regulatory burdens” on doctors. But Mr. Price is criticized for opposing affordable care act, contraception and gay rights as well as medicare and medicaid as it stands!