Health sector sees more of the same in Harris

Jul 23, 2024

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Driving the Day

Campaign staff put up signs at Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign headquarters

Some health policy experts expect that Vice President Kamala Harris, if elected president, will try to balance the work of the Biden administration while claiming a stake of her own. | Pool photo by Erin Schaff

THE INDUSTRY PREPS FOR HARRIS — Health policy wonks are eyeing what a President Kamala Harris could mean for the cost of care, drug prices and abortion rights, among other major health care issues.

Since President Joe Biden said he would withdraw from the race Sunday, Harris, a former California attorney general and senator, has received endorsements from prominent Democrats and raised millions for her presidential campaign.

Pulse spoke with POLITICO’s Daniel Payne about the health care world’s reaction to Harris’ potential candidacy:

Overall, how is news of Biden’s departure and Harris as the potential Democratic nominee being received in the health care world?

There’s a sense that she will take up the health agenda from the current administration as her own — not only in her campaigning but also in her health policy priorities should she win the presidency. But some policy experts point out that she will try to balance the work of the current administration with a need to claim a stake of her own.

And, of course, there’s a keen interest in how Harris could affect who wins or loses down-ballot in the November elections, which will be key to determining what kinds of policy pushes would be possible across Washington.

What might Harris’ background as California attorney general tell us about her health policy?

Harris’ background in aggressively pursuing antitrust suits as an AG is notable for an administration that has remained active in its quest to stop anticompetitive behavior across a number of sectors, including health care. So she could draw on her previous work as AG, as well as the current administration’s work.

Another reason some Beltway wonks see this as a likely contender: It could fly politically. Offering concrete steps to lowering the cost of health care could have broad appeal and help her win competitive states, some leaders said.

Which key policy areas might Harris highlight during her campaign? What are the health sectors watching closely?

Abortion rights have clearly been a big priority for Harris, and she’s seen as a powerful messenger on the issue that Democrats believe will resonate with voters across the country.

Leaders in the health sector are also watching how Harris talks about the current administration’s policies, such as the Inflation Reduction Act, which allowed Medicare to negotiate the price of some prescription drugs, or a minimum staffing standard for nursing homes.

The current administration has touted both policies as major wins, but how they’re enforced in the years to come could have a ripple effect across the larger health system.

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2024 ELECTION

Kamala Harris speaks at a desk.

As a senator, Vice President Kamala Harris leaned liberal when it came to health care legislation she proposed. | Jacquelyn Martin/AP

THE HARRIS SENATE RECORD — During her four years in the Senate, Harris had one of the most liberal health care legislative records, with a particular focus on maternal health, health insurance and health equity, POLITICO’s Kelly Hooper reports.

Although she didn’t achieve much success with her legislation in the then-Republican-led chamber, here’s an overview of Harris’ time in the Senate:

— Maternal health: Harris was the lead sponsor of a Senate package called the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2020, aimed at reducing Black maternal deaths.

— Medicare for all: Harris signed onto legislation from Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) in 2017 to establish a universal health care program and also cosponsored several other more modest proposals, including expansions to Medicare and Medicaid.

— Reproductive rights: In 2017, Harris cosponsored legislation that would have prohibited some state-level restrictions on abortion, including requirements that doctors perform specific tests before providing an abortion and limitations on medical training for abortions.

— Health equity: Harris’ PrEP Access and Coverage Act would have required private and public health insurance plans to cover drugs preventing HIV transmission and related medical screenings.

She also proposed legislation that would provide grants to health care providers for antiracism training during the Covid-19 response efforts.

A message from AFP’s Personal Option:

In Congress

CDC DEFENSE — Several top CDC officials will testify Tuesday before the House Energy and Commerce Committee — where they can expect a grilling from Republicans on the agency’s priorities, POLITICO’s Sophie Gardner reports.

Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) and Health Subcommittee Chair Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.) indicated in a statement that they will scrutinize the agency’s work on climate change and “social determinants of health” during the hearing. “Of all the government agencies that have broken the public’s trust, the CDC is at the top of the list,” Rodgers and Guthrie wrote, arguing that the agency had strayed from its core priorities.

But the six CDC program directors slated to testify — agency head Mandy Cohen isn’t expected at the hearing — partly plan to push back. According to an agency document POLITICO obtained detailing its testimony, they’ll:

— Make the case that the agency has learned from its missteps during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic response.

— Explain that its priorities are bipartisan and worth funding. The agency will highlight its work on cancer, maternal mortality and overdose and suicide prevention.

— Argue that its initiatives to support young families are crucial to public health.

Live briefings, policy trackers, and procedural, industry, and people intelligence from POLITICO Pro Analysis gives you the insights you need to focus your policy strategy this election cycle. Secure your seat.

Public Health

WHO LET THE DOGS OUT? A federal rule that would’ve made it harder to bring dogs into the U.S. was loosened Monday after an intense pressure campaign, POLITICO’s Sophie Gardner reports.

The CDC updated a rule — intended to help prevent canine rabies in the U.S. — which initially required a variety of paperwork for all dogs entering the U.S., including veterinary records showing the dog is vaccinated against rabies.

Instead, the CDC will require only one form for dogs coming into or returning to the U.S. from a low-risk or rabies-free country — as long as the dog hasn’t been in a high-risk country for canine rabies in the past six months.

Why the change? Some airlines planned to stop letting travelers bring their dogs on flights into the U.S. at all before the rule was changed. It has also sparked concern among airline industry groups and politicians alike.

Last week, a bipartisan group of senators — led by Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) — wrote to the CDC, asking the agency to postpone the rule’s implementation until changes were made.

Several powerful airline industry groups, including Airlines for America and the International Air Transport Association, also sent a letter to the agency requesting that it push the start date back until the CDC addresses their concerns.

The updated rule still requires that dogs be at least 6 months old, have a microchip that can be detected with a universal scanner and appear healthy upon arrival in the U.S.

And more complex regulations are still in place for dogs arriving from high-risk countries, which need certification of vaccination, and face more stringent requirements if the vaccine was received outside the U.S.

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Names in the News

Dr. Marc L. Boom is now chair-elect of the American Hospital Association Board of Trustees. Boom, who is president and CEO of Houston Methodist, will become chair in 2026.

WHAT WE'RE READING

Fierce Healthcare reports on HHS’ efforts to hire senior staff to lead artificial intelligence strategy.

POLITICO’s Caitlin Emma and Jennifer Scholtes report that House Republicans have pulled off the floor two spending bills with abortion riders meant for a vote this week.

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