The Ethical Roundabout
Healthcare News and Ethical Issues for May 19 - 30
Federal:
Kiplinger: The U.S. House has passed the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," a federal legislative initiative that introduces significant changes to the Medicare program. This omnibus bill includes four key alterations to Medicare. These changes involve: reducing prescription drug costs by allowing Medicare to negotiate prices; capping out-of-pocket prescription drug costs for beneficiaries; expanding eligibility for certain low-income subsidies; and enhancing coverage for some preventive services. These amendments aim to make Medicare more affordable and accessible for beneficiaries while potentially impacting pharmaceutical companies and healthcare providers.
State:
The Washington Post: A Kentucky lawsuit challenging the state's near-total ban on abortions has been withdrawn by attorneys for the plaintiff. The lawsuit, Poe v. Coleman, filed on behalf of a pregnant woman identified pseudonymously as Mary Poe, sought to overturn Kentucky's trigger law ban and a separate six-week ban, arguing they violated the state constitution. While the specific reasons for the withdrawal were not publicly disclosed, the ACLU of Kentucky, which represented the plaintiff, affirmed its continued commitment to restoring abortion access in the state.
The Hill: In Kansas, a state law that disregards the end-of-life wishes of pregnant individuals has been challenged in court. This law, part of the state's Natural Death Act, invalidates advance medical directives, such as living wills, for individuals who are pregnant, regardless of fetal viability. The lawsuit, filed by three women and two physicians, argues that this "pregnancy exclusion" violates the rights to personal autonomy, privacy, equal protection, and freedom of speech under the Kansas Constitution. The plaintiffs assert that the law forces medical professionals to disregard their patients' clearly expressed end-of-life decisions, potentially exposing them to legal and ethical dilemmas, and denying pregnant individuals the same control over their medical care afforded to others.
Daily Mail: In the Illinois House of Representatives, a bill that proposes the End-of-Life Options for Terminally Ill Patients Act has passed. Senate Bill 1950, which is now heading to the Senate, would allow terminally ill adults with a prognosis of six months or less to live, and who meet strict criteria for mental capacity, to request and self-administer life-ending medication.
Capitol News Illinois: In Illinois, a new bill has been introduced in the state legislature aimed at lowering the cost of prescription drugs and reining in the practices of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). House Bill 1697 seeks to increase transparency and oversight of PBMs, which are third-party administrators that manage prescription drug benefits for health insurance companies. The bill’s proponents argue that PBMs often engage in practices that inflate drug costs for consumers and pharmacies, such as opaque pricing models and rebate negotiations that favor large corporations. If passed, the bill is expected to implement new regulations on PBMs to ensure fairer pricing, protect independent pharmacies, and ultimately reduce out-of-pocket expenses for Illinois residents.
Glances Abroad
France24: In France, the National Assembly is set to vote on a bill that would legalize assisted dying. This proposed legislation aims to allow certain terminally ill individuals to receive medical assistance to end their lives. The vote follows extensive debate within the legislative body and across French society regarding the ethical and moral implications of such a law. If passed, the bill would introduce a significant shift in France's approach to end-of-life care, providing a legal framework for assisted dying under specific, tightly regulated conditions.