Welcome to Monday’s Overnight Health Care. 

GOP Rep. Greg WaldenGregory (Greg) Paul WaldenShimkus says he’s been asked to reconsider retirement Walden retirement adds to GOP election woes Overnight Energy: Automakers group sides with Trump in emissions lawsuit | Latest on California wildfires | Walden won’t seek reelection | Park Service scraps plan to charge protesters for security MORE (Ore.) is retiring, Kamala HarrisKamala Devi HarrisOvernight Health Care: Walden won’t seek reelection | Senate Dems to vote this week to overturn Trump ObamaCare moves | Largest children’s migrant shelter to close | Vulnerable Republicans balk at drug pricing bill Hillicon Valley: FCC chief aims to ban Huawei, ZTE from federal program | DOJ to allow body cameras in joint task forces | Facebook workers push back over political ads Left-leaning group: Taxes on financial trades could reduce inequality MORE spoke about her changing positions on “Medicare for All,” the country’s largest migrant children’s shelter is closing, and there’s drama in the Senate over ObamaCare and drug pricing.

We’ll start with today’s big Republican retirement news:

 

Oregon GOP Rep. Greg Walden won’t seek reelection

Big news for the health care sector: Walden, the top Republican on the Energy & Commerce Committee, will not seek reelection in 2020. 

In the last Congress, Walden was chairman of the full committee, which has immense power over health care issues in the House. 

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Even though he oversaw the GOP’s failed attempts to repeal and replace ObamaCare in 2017, he has prided himself on bipartisanship, and has been praised by Democrats as someone willing to work across the aisle on health issues. He was instrumental in the House’s 2018 passage of a bipartisan bill to combat the opioid epidemic and has worked to try to bring down prescription drug prices. 

“I will not seek re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives, nor election to any other office, but instead I will close the public service chapter of my life,” Walden said in a statement Monday.

Reaction… From Energy and Commerce Chairman Rep. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.): “When Greg became Chairman of the full Committee, he focused on the growing national opioid epidemic, and we worked closely together to pass the Support for Patients and Communities Act and to investigate opioid distributors and pill dumping in West Virginia. 

“I look forward to completing our bipartisan work over the next year and wish Greg nothing but the best in the future.”

The politics: Walden’s decision is yet another challenge for House Republicans. Walden is the 20th House Republican to decide to not seek reelection in 2020, compared with just seven Democrats.

Read more on Walden’s decision here.

 

Senate Democrats to vote this week to overturn Trump ObamaCare moves

Senate Democratic leaders said they will force a floor vote as early as Wednesday in an attempt to overturn a Trump administration rule that allows states to ignore parts of ObamaCare.

The resolution from Senate Minority Leader Charles SchumerCharles (Chuck) Ellis SchumerSenate Democrats to vote this week to overturn Trump ObamaCare moves Man explains refusing to shake McConnell’s hand at Cummings memorial: ‘I couldn’t do it’ The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Better Medicare Alliance – ISIS leader dead; Congresswoman resigns MORE (D-N.Y.) needs a simple majority to pass, meaning Democrats would need four GOP senators to vote against the Trump policy. It’s not likely to happen, but the vote is a symbolic attempt to put vulnerable GOP senators in a tough spot.

The policy: Senate Democrats are forcing a vote to overturn an administration guidance that lets states apply for waivers so they can prioritize cheaper, leaner plans than the ones offered on the ObamaCare exchanges. Basically, it would let states do an end run around the law. The plans don’t need to cover some of ObamaCare’s “essential” benefits such as mental-health services and prenatal care, and they can refuse to cover people with preexisting conditions. The Trump administration has made it a point to tout state flexibility from ObamaCare, but so far, there haven’t been any states to apply. 

The politics: Just because no state has applied, doesn’t mean Democrats will give Trump a pass. In this case, it really is the thought that counts. Democrats see health care and protecting people with preexisting conditions as one of their biggest advantages heading into 2020 and want to put vulnerable Republicans like Martha McSallyMartha Elizabeth McSallyOvernight Health Care: Walden won’t seek reelection | Senate Dems to vote this week to overturn Trump ObamaCare moves | Largest children’s migrant shelter to close | Vulnerable Republicans balk at drug pricing bill Senate Democrats to vote this week to overturn Trump ObamaCare moves Advocates warn kids’ privacy at risk in GOP gun violence bill MORE (Ariz.) and Cory GardnerCory Scott GardnerOvernight Health Care: Walden won’t seek reelection | Senate Dems to vote this week to overturn Trump ObamaCare moves | Largest children’s migrant shelter to close | Vulnerable Republicans balk at drug pricing bill Senate Democrats to vote this week to overturn Trump ObamaCare moves This week: House to vote on Turkey sanctions bill MORE (Colo.) on record.

“It is preposterous that the Trump administration claims to care about preserving pre-existing condition protections for millions of Americans while simultaneously peddling shoddy, substandard junk plans that undermine and weaken those very protections,” Schumer said.  

Read more on the vote here.

 

Harris: ‘I knew I’d be called a flip-flopper’ on ‘Medicare for All’ 

Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) is addressing the sometimes winding road she has taken on health care in the presidential race. 

“I said to my team, ‘I know we’re gonna take a political hit for it,'” Harris said in an interview with “Axios on HBO” that aired Sunday. “I knew that. I knew we were. I knew I’d be called a flip-flopper for that.”

Harris said her health proposal was in response to voters who told her they did not want to lose the choice of having a private plan.

“I heard from people, ‘Kamala, don’t take away my choice if I want a private plan. Please don’t take away my choice.’ And I said, you know what? That is fair,” Harris added.

Background: She originally said in January, “Let’s eliminate all that,” in reference to private insurance. In July, she released her own plan that maintained some role for private insurance and would allow privately administered Medicare plans under strict rules.

Big picture: Harris has positioned herself in between staunch Medicare for All supporters like Sens. Bernie SandersBernie Sanders2020 Democrats tackle US aid to Israel Overnight Health Care: Walden won’t seek reelection | Senate Dems to vote this week to overturn Trump ObamaCare moves | Largest children’s migrant shelter to close | Vulnerable Republicans balk at drug pricing bill Why do environmental Democrats ignore massive Chinese pollution? MORE (I-Vt.) and Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth Ann WarrenWalden retirement adds to GOP election woes Overnight Health Care: Walden won’t seek reelection | Senate Dems to vote this week to overturn Trump ObamaCare moves | Largest children’s migrant shelter to close | Vulnerable Republicans balk at drug pricing bill Warren’s careful approach with media pays off MORE (D-Mass.) and those who want an optional government-run plan, like South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete ButtigiegPeter (Pete) Paul Buttigieg2020 Democrats tackle US aid to Israel Overnight Health Care: Walden won’t seek reelection | Senate Dems to vote this week to overturn Trump ObamaCare moves | Largest children’s migrant shelter to close | Vulnerable Republicans balk at drug pricing bill Krystal Ball dismisses Rahm Emanuel’s ‘Medicare for All’ criticism as a ‘corporatist mantra’ MORE and former Vice President Joe BidenJoe BidenJudge schedules hearing for ex-Trump aide who refused to appear in inquiry Army officer twice reported concerns about Trump’s Ukraine tactics Ex-Trump official’s refusal to testify escalates impeachment tensions MORE.

Read more on Harris here. 

 

Largest migrant children’s shelter to close by end of November

The controversial Homestead Shelter, the only for-profit migrant children’s shelter in the country, will close.

The private military contractor which runs Homestead will not have its contract renewed, the administration confirmed Monday.

The contract with Caliburn International, which operates the massive Homestead Shelter in Florida, will end Nov. 30, and the facility will be essentially shuttered. However, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said the shelter is being placed on “warm status,” which means the agency will retain access to the Homestead site and could reopen it for temporary use in the future in the event of an increase in unaccompanied child referrals or an emergency situation.

“In our ongoing efforts to ensure fiscal prudence, following a sustained decrease in referrals, HHS operations at the Homestead Temporary Influx facility will be transitioned into warm status effective immediately,” the agency said in a statement to The Hill. 

Caliburn referred requests to comment to HHS. The company has come under fire from activists and lawmakers who objected to a for-profit, private prison contractor running a children’s shelter at taxpayer expense. Congressional Democrats have also criticized the company for hiring former Trump White House chief of staff John KellyJohn Francis KellyMORE to serve on its board of directors.

Read more here.

 

Missouri to begin hearing on state’s last abortion clinic

A hearing over Missouri’s last standing abortion clinic will begin Monday to determine whether it can keep its license to provide abortions.

Administrative Hearing Commissioner Sreenivasa Rao Dandamudi will preside over the hearing as an “independent trial judge,” the Associated Press reported, citing a commission official.

Missouri would become the first state since 1974, the year after the Roe v. Wade decision, to not have a functioning abortion clinic, if the clinic is shut down. 

The Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis region had its license officially expire at the end of May. A court ordered the clinic to continue providing abortions until the dispute with the state health department is resolved. 

What’s next: The hearings will take five days and will include testimony from state health officials and Planned Parenthood employees.  

Read more on the hearing here.

 

Vulnerable Republicans balk at Trump-backed drug pricing bill

Sen. Chuck GrassleyCharles (Chuck) Ernest GrassleyOvernight Health Care: Walden won’t seek reelection | Senate Dems to vote this week to overturn Trump ObamaCare moves | Largest children’s migrant shelter to close | Vulnerable Republicans balk at drug pricing bill Vulnerable Republicans balk at Trump-backed drug pricing bill Senators concerned impeachment will consume agenda MORE (R-Iowa) is pitching his drug pricing bill as a good way for Republicans to keep control of the Senate next year. 

But many vulnerable Senate Republicans don’t seem to agree as of yet. 

GOP Sens. Thom TillisThomas (Thom) Roland TillisOvernight Health Care: Walden won’t seek reelection | Senate Dems to vote this week to overturn Trump ObamaCare moves | Largest children’s migrant shelter to close | Vulnerable Republicans balk at drug pricing bill Former North Carolina Sen. Kay Hagan dies at 66 Advocates warn kids’ privacy at risk in GOP gun violence bill MORE (N.C.), Martha McSally (Ariz.), Cory Gardner (Colo.) and Joni ErnstJoni Kay ErnstOvernight Health Care: Walden won’t seek reelection | Senate Dems to vote this week to overturn Trump ObamaCare moves | Largest children’s migrant shelter to close | Vulnerable Republicans balk at drug pricing bill Advocates warn kids’ privacy at risk in GOP gun violence bill Vulnerable Republicans balk at Trump-backed drug pricing bill MORE (Iowa), who all face potentially tough races next year, have either expressed concerns about the legislation or declined to back it. Sen. Susan CollinsSusan Margaret CollinsMurkowski, Collins say they won’t co-sponsor Graham’s impeachment resolution Overnight Health Care: Walden won’t seek reelection | Senate Dems to vote this week to overturn Trump ObamaCare moves | Largest children’s migrant shelter to close | Vulnerable Republicans balk at drug pricing bill Senate Democrats to vote this week to overturn Trump ObamaCare moves MORE (Maine) is the lone vulnerable Republican to endorse the measure.

The calculation: On the one hand, the bill has the support of President TrumpDonald John TrumpJudge schedules hearing for ex-Trump aide who refused to appear in inquiry READ: Army officer to tell investigators he twice reported concerns over Trump’s Ukraine dealings Murkowski, Collins say they won’t co-sponsor Graham’s impeachment resolution MORE, and lowering drug prices is a popular issue with voters. But on the other hand, supporting the bill breaks with GOP orthodoxy and invites a backlash from both conservatives and the pharmaceutical industry.

The most controversial provision for Republicans requires drug companies to pay money back to Medicare if their prices rise faster than inflation, something some Republicans view as too close to a “price control.”

Read more here. 

 

House moving PBM transparency bill

The House on Monday night is expected to pass a bipartisan bill to require pharmacy benefit managers to post the total rebates that drug companies pay to them on a public website to help increase transparency around PBMs. 

Context: The passage of this bipartisan bill, shows that the House is moving forward on at least some small, noncontroversial measures at the same time that Democrats push forward on their sweeping, signature drug pricing legislation. 

The moderate Blue Dog Coalition endorsed this bill and had called for a vote on it and other measures. 

Swing-district Democratic Reps. Abigail SpanbergerAbigail Davis SpanbergerOvernight Health Care: Walden won’t seek reelection | Senate Dems to vote this week to overturn Trump ObamaCare moves | Largest children’s migrant shelter to close | Vulnerable Republicans balk at drug pricing bill Democrats say they have game changer on impeachment House Dems introduce bill to fight social media disinformation MORE (D-Va.) and Elissa SlotkinElissa SlotkinOvernight Health Care: Walden won’t seek reelection | Senate Dems to vote this week to overturn Trump ObamaCare moves | Largest children’s migrant shelter to close | Vulnerable Republicans balk at drug pricing bill House passes third bill aimed at preventing foreign election interference Avoiding the snake in the grass: Let’s not allow impeachment to divide us MORE (D-Mich.) are sponsors. The lead Republican is Rep. Jodey ArringtonJodey Cook ArringtonDemocrats need to abandon their impeachment inquisition Lawmakers beat Capitol Police in Congressional Football Game Conservatives call on Pelosi to cancel August recess MORE (R-Texas).  

 

Coming up this week: 

The Senate Finance Committee will hold a hearing on compliance with Medicaid eligibility requirements, Wednesday at 2 pm. 

The Senate health committee will markup several bills Thursday at 10 a.m.

 

What we’re reading

2020 ObamaCare premiums are on track for smallest increases ever (Vox.com) 

Democrats’ new logic on drug pricing: Developing slightly fewer medicines is OK if it means lower prices (Stat News) 

Elizabeth Warren’s ambiguity on health care comes with some side effects (NPR) 

 

State by state

States try a gentler approach to getting Medicaid enrollees to work (Kaiser Health News)

Medicaid patients sick and stranded after Florida state-provided rides fail to show  (WFLA) 

Farmworkers face daunting health risks in California’s wildfires (Kaiser Health News) 

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From The Hill’s opinion page:

Another Chinese threat to our national security: Prescription drugs