Trending News Today: Investigation Targets Insulin Manufacturers, PBMs

Healthcare advocates and Affordable Care Act (ACA) insurance navigators fear that the 2018 open enrollment period could reverse coverage gains made by Latinos in previous years, according to Kaiser Health News. Under former President Barack Obama, enrollment outreach targeted Latinos since this population has a high uninsured rate, and are largely young and healthy, according to the article. The uninsured rate of this population dropped by 43% in 2010 to less than 25% in 2016; however, the shorter enrollment period and cuts in outreach effort may result in fewer Latinos getting coverage, Kaiser reported.

At least 5 states and a federal prosecutor are demanding manufacturers and pharmacy benefit managers disclose information about their relationships and the increasing costs of insulin, according to Kaiser Health News. Attorneys general from several states are requesting financial information for specific insulins for certain dates. The attorneys are thought to be investigating potentially anti-competitive business practices that aim to increase profits, according to Kaiser. Lawyers are also pursuing suits for individual patients over the high drug costs.

The House plans to vote on a bill to reauthorize funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program this week, according to The Hill. The vote follows weeks of failed negotiations on how to fund the program that insures low-income children whose families earn too much to qualify for Medicaid. While most states are expected to have enough funding to provide coverage for the next few months, Minnesota and other states could run out in November, leaving countless children without insurance, according to the article.