From the pages of BioCentury:
Republican bill seeks to ban comparative effectiveness
Sens. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) and Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) introduced a bill that would prohibit the U.S. government from using comparative effectiveness research to deny or delay coverage of healthcare treatment to a patient based on cost. The Preserving Access to Targeted, Individualized, and Effective New Treatments and Services (PATIENTS) Act of 2011 (S. 660) was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. The bill was co-sponsored by Sens. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Pat Roberts (R-Kan.).
And from the “I'm shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on in here” department:
WASHINGTON (AP) -- AARP lobbied for the new health care law and now it stands to profit, Republican lawmakers charged Wednesday as they called for the IRS to investigate whether the powerful interest group representing millions of older Americans should be stripped of its federal tax exemption.
Three veteran GOP representatives released a report that estimates the seniors lobby could make an additional $1 billion over 10 years on health insurance plans whose sales are expected to pick up under the new law. They also questioned seven-figure compensation for some AARP executives.
The report found that insurance sales are AARP's single largest source of revenue. AARP-brand offerings are the market leaders for Medicare prescription coverage, private Medicare Advantage insurance plans, and Medigap coverage that fills in benefit gaps for people with traditional Medicare.
UnitedHealthcare, which operates the AARP plans, paid the organization $427 million in 2009, according to the report.
The Ways and Means Committee has scheduled a hearing Friday on AARP's structure and finances.
