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Since passage of the Medicare Modernization Act in 2003, which prohibited Medicare from negotiating prescription drug prices, seniors and their advocates have demanded that lawmakers take further action to lower drug costs for beneficiaries. But pharmaceutical industry lobbying and divided government have nullified earnest legislative attempts. Now, with Democrats poised to lead the White House, House, and Senate for the first time since 2010, it's time for change. Moving forward, there must be swift action to tame the punishing prices that force seniors to forgo necessary medications, to ration pills, or to choose between prescription drugs and other essentials — like rent and groceries. As if to underscore the need for reform, Big Pharma raised the prices for hundreds of prescription drugs at the beginning of the year by an average 3.3 percent (with some as high as 15%) — more than double this year’s meager Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). (Max Richtman, 1/20)

As America tiptoes into the unknown of 2021, an event will soon occur that will be largely unnoticed. Just three years ago, the corporate giants Amazon, Berkshire Hathaway and JP Morgan Chase announced they would join forces to create a new health care company called Haven. Revolutionary in its scope, Haven would use market forces to create disruptive innovation that would bring down the costs of employer-based insurance. In the minds of many, this was long overdue. Each year, rising health care costs were eating into both corporate bottom lines as well as employee take-home pay. (Donald R. Frey, 1/25)

With the expansion of coverage of healthcare in 2010 through the Affordable Care Act, much changed in our efforts to insure the uninsured. Today, as the health care system struggles under the weight of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is even more critical to ensure healthcare dollars are directed where they are needed most. Many federal programs have been evaluated and modernized to ensure their efficacy. But one federal program that has not yet been reviewed by Congress is the 340B prescription drug program. Initially created to help Medicaid (known as Medi-Cal in California) stretch resources to serve vulnerable patients, the program has since morphed into a profit maker for large corporations — all while patients are struggling to access affordable care. (Scott Suckow, 1/25)

The cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for Social Security for 2021 is 1.3%. With an almost $4 increase in the cost of Medicare and an $18 rise in supplemental health insurance premium, I am entering January 1, 2021 with a negative $7 from my COLA, which is supposed to help retired seniors; never mind the increases in the other expenses of living like groceries or gasoline. The increase in Medicare is technically not supposed to be greater than the increase in the COLA. Nothing at all is calculated in to cover the increased cost of supplemental health insurance, which sensible seniors need because Medicare only covers the first 80% of care. If a senior is not retired from a federal position or poor enough to qualify for Medicaid, he or she needs to pay for the other 20% of coverage or else gamble that they will not need care. (Kath R. Allen, 1/25)

Many Arizonans – our state legislators in particular – are probably unfamiliar with the phrase “U=U.” But for those at risk for and living with HIV, it is a well-known quantity. “U=U” is short for “Undetectable equals Untransmittable.” For those living with HIV whose viral load has been reduced to the point where it is undetectable, it means that person is no longer able to transmit HIV to anyone else through sexual contact. U=U is achievable through a class of what can truly be considered miracle drugs – and, within this class, single-tablet regimens for HIV are the best option. (Thanes Vanig, 1/26)

Is there a conservative case for decriminalizing pot? In a letter published in the Abilene Reporter News, Alexander W. Salter, an associate professor of economics at Texas Tech University, makes the argument that there is. He’s right. Marijuana criminalization has been one of the worst big-government boondoggles of the past century. As he argues, it represents a threat to federalism, throws more money at our failed war on drugs and exacerbates inequalities in our criminal justice system. (Daniel Smith, 1/26)