Daily on Healthcare: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis defies GOP orthodoxy with drug importation plan

FLORIDA GOVERNOR RON DESANTIS DEFIES GOP ORTHODOXY WITH DRUG IMPORTATION PLAN: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is challenging traditional Republican doctrine with a plan to import prescription drugs from Canada to lower costs for seniors, the first major legislative initiative of his young tenure.

DeSantis’ plan, devised to appeal to the gray vote and unveiled at the retirement community The Villages, calls for the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration to choose Canadian wholesalers and license them to export specific, high-cost drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration to Florida. The cheaper medications will then be dispensed by local pharmacies to any Floridian with a prescription.

Following in the footsteps of progressive Vermont: In 2018, the Vermont state legislature unanimously passed its own importation plan to allow high-cost FDA-approved drugs to be purchased through licensed Canadian wholesalers, but it has yet to get the necessary approval from the federal Department of Health and Human Services.

DeSantis, a vocal supporter of President Trump, is projecting confidence that the Trump administration will sign off on his bill if it’s enacted.

“President Trump encouraged Governor DeSantis to proceed with this initiative and with the President’s support, we feel confident that this can get done safely and effectively,” a spokesman for the governor said.

Aside from Trump, the Republican Party generally opposes drug importation. Even Trump’s top health officials have criticized the idea. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar called it a “gimmick” last year.

Douglas Holtz-Eakin, president of the conservative think tank the American Action Forum and an adviser to John McCain’s 2008 presidential campaign, says DeSantis’ plan is a “false hope.”

“Importation won’t work,” Holtz-Eakin said. “The notion that Canada will send back all of the drugs it authorized for themselves — they’re not going to let them get away. It makes no sense.”

The conservative Wall Street Journal editorial page also criticized DeSantis this month for the plan, saying that he is aligning himself with progressive legislators in Vermont.

Good morning and welcome to the Washington Examiner’s Daily on Healthcare! This newsletter is written by senior healthcare reporter Kimberly Leonard (@LeonardKL) and healthcare reporter Cassidy Morrison (@CassMorrison94). You can reach us with tips, calendar items, or suggestions at [email protected]. If someone forwarded you this email and you’d like to receive it regularly, you can subscribe here.

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR APPEALS RULING ON ASSOCIATION HEALTH PLANS: The Department of Labor on Friday filed notice that it will appeal a ruling by a federal judge that struck down a Trump administration rule letting individuals and small businesses pool together to buy health insurance.

The decision on March 28 by U.S. District Judge John Bates, an appointee of former President George W. Bush, threatens coverage for people who are enrolled in association health plans.

The administration will be appealing in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, but the notice filed by the Department of Labor did not say whether the Trump administration is asking for a stay on the decision.

KANSAS SUPREME COURT RULES STATE CONSTITUTION PROTECTS ABORTION RIGHTS: The Kansas Supreme Court ruled Friday that the state constitution protects abortion rights, blocking the legislature’s 2015 ban on second-trimester abortions. Because the protection of abortion rights is enshrined in the state constitution, abortion will remain legal in Kansas even if the U.S. Supreme Court reverses or narrows the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion nationwide. In 2015, the Kansas state legislature banned dilation and evacuation abortions, procedures most common in the second trimester. The exceptions are for if the safety of the mother is threatened or if the fetus is already dead.

WASHINGTON LEGISLATURE SENDS PUBLIC OPTION HEALTHCARE BILL TO GOV: The Washington state legislature has passed legislation, SB 5526, which would create a public option for healthcare coverage Saturday, and sent it to Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee’s desk for approval.The plan would be known as Cascade Care, available through Washington’s Health Benefit Exchange, and would be the first public health insurance option in the nation. Inslee worked with lawmakers throughout the process. The bill passed with a 56-41 vote in the House, and a 27-21 vote in the Senate.

FDA APPROVES TREATMENT FOR LUPUS IN KIDS AND TEENS: The FDA approved intravenous lupus treatment for kids as young as five Friday, called Benlysta. The treatment has been approved for adult use since 2011, but now children and young adults can safely use the only biologic therapy approved for lupus treatment. Lupus is sometimes more aggressive in kids and the symptoms are more intense. “While there is no cure for lupus, treatment can help our youngest patients control their disease with the hope of improving their quality of life and lowering their risk of long-term organ damage and disability,” said Dr. Janet Woodcock, director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.

BETO O’ROURKE CALLS FOR ETHICAL FARM-TO-TABLE RESTAURANTS IN EVERY COMMUNITY: Democratic presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke called for the establishment of farm-to-table restaurants in every community to combat poor nutrition at a Friday event hosted at a brewery by the Nevada state Democratic Party in a Las Vegas suburb.

TRUMP HITS JOE BIDEN ON AGE: ‘I AM A YOUNG, VIBRANT MAN’: Trump, 73, described himself as “so young” Friday, saying that compared to former Vice President Joe Biden, 76: “I am a young, vibrant man.” Trump said, “I look at Joe, I don’t know about him … I would never say anyone is too old. But they are all making me look very young both in terms of age and in terms of energy.” Biden, who will be 77 in November, is leading most polls of Democratic contenders.

BOTOX, HAIR PLUGS, AND VENEERS: BIDEN COULD ESCAPE THE COSMETIC SURGERY SCRUTINY HILLARY CLINTON ENDURED: Cosmetic doctors are certain that Biden’s full head of hair, smooth forehead, and Cheshire Cat grin are the result of plastic surgery and other procedures. Around the time of the 2008 campaign, alterations in Biden’s appearance became noticeable. His hairline changed, wrinkles disappeared, his smile was brighter. 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton faced scrutiny for cosmetic surgery during the 2016 campaign, but thus far, there are no signs that Biden, 76, will get the same treatment as he launches his 2020 presidential bid.

BOLTON: US STIFFED NORTH KOREA ON AGREEMENT TO PAY $2M FOR OTTO WARMBIER’S MEDICAL BILLS: National security adviser John Bolton admitted Sunday State Department envoy Joseph Yun signed a document agreeing to pay North Korea $2 million for Otto Warmbier’s medical costs, but said that the agreement was “absolutely not” kept. Warmbier was detained by North Korean authorities in 2016 and was tortured in custody until his return to the U.S. in 2017. He arrived in a comatose state and died soon after.

The Rundown

Reuters U.S. measles outbreak raises questions about immunity in adults

The Wall Street Journal NIH blocks two doctors from speaking out to investigators

The Sacramento Bee Undocumented kids can get health care in California. Gavin Newsom wants it for young adults, too

The New York Times Virtual reality as therapy for pain

The Philadelphia Inquirer Tax credit cuts will make Obamacare plans more expensive for many

Kaiser Health News Will ties to a Catholic hospital system tie doctors’ hands?

Calendar

MONDAY | April 29

April 28-May 1. Washington Marriott Wardman Park. World Health Care Congress. Agenda.

8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. 1615 H St NW. Chamber of Commerce event on “Innovations: Redesigning Wellness.”

House and Senate in session.

TUESDAY | April 30

10:30 a.m. 2322 Rayburn. House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Health Subcommittee to hold hearing on the payment of prescription drugs in Medicare Part B and C. Details.

10 a.m. H-313. House Rules Committee hearing on the Medicare for All Act. Details.

WEDNESDAY | May 1

8 a.m. 214 Massachusetts Ave. NE. Washington Examiner’s “Examining Healthcare” event with Sens. Bill Cassidy, R-La., and Doug Jones, D-Ala. Register.