The Presidential conventions kick off in earnest next week. Here are some of the health policy topics we are paying attention to during the upcoming campaign season:
- Affordable Care Act (ACA): Democrats generally support the ACA and may seek to strengthen it. This could involve expanding subsidies, reinstating individual mandate penalties, or further expanding Medicaid coverage. Republicans have historically opposed the ACA and have attempted to repeal or significantly amend it. A Republican-controlled government might seek to roll back provisions such as Medicaid expansion or subsidies for private insurance.
- Medicaid Expansion: Expansion of Medicaid under the ACA has been a contentious issue.? Democrats are likely to support broader Medicaid expansion efforts, encouraging more states to adopt expansion and possibly increasing federal funding incentives. Republican-led efforts could include initiatives to give states more flexibility in managing Medicaid, may curtail expansion efforts, or introduce work requirements and other eligibility restrictions.
- Reproductive Health Services: Democrats continue to put forth policies to protect, strengthen, and expand access to reproductive health, such as funding for Planned Parenthood, access to contraception, and abortion rights. Under a Republican White House and Congress reproductive health, including access to IVF, contraception, and abortion services, could face stricter regulations or funding cuts.
- Medicare: Democrats have sought Medicare reforms or expansions to lower the eligibility age for Medicare or to expand benefits, such as adding dental, vision, and hearing coverage. Republicans have included Medicare in entitlement reform discussions with proposals such as raising the eligibility age or restructuring benefits, to control costs and address sustainability.
- Drug Pricing and Regulation: Democrats have been vocal about tackling high prescription drug costs. Policies could include allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices or implementing price controls for certain medications. Republican policies generally favor market-based solutions over government regulation when it comes to drug pricing, potentially impacting affordability and access to medications.
- Healthcare Access for Undocumented Immigrants: There is a significant policy debate around all things immigration. There could be proposals to expand access to healthcare services for undocumented immigrants, which might face strong opposition from Republican lawmakers and some moderate Democrats concerned about costs and legal implications.
- Telehealth: Policies governing telehealth services, which expanded significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, could be revisited regarding reimbursement rates, licensure requirements, and coverage expansions. Democrats have generally supported expanding telehealth services, especially after its increased utilization during the COVID-19 pandemic. Republicans may support telehealth expansion but could prioritize reducing regulatory barriers rather than expanding reimbursement or coverage mandates. This approach might focus on allowing market forces to drive telehealth adoption rather than government intervention.
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services: Democrats have focused on expanding insurance coverage for mental health and substance abuse services, including parity laws that ensure equal coverage for mental health and physical health treatments, could face resistance from insurers concerned about costs. Republicans may support telehealth expansion but could prioritize reducing regulatory barriers rather than expanding reimbursement or coverage mandates. This approach might focus on allowing market forces to drive telehealth adoption rather than government intervention.
What health policy topics are you paying attention to in the next few months?
