Democratic presidential candidates’ early support for healthcare coverage for undocumented immigrants could come back to bite one of them in a general election campaign, warned former Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN). Covering uncoumented immigrants received support from most candidates on-stage at last week’s two debates. (CNBC)
In other healthcare policy news, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi is working on a proposal that would give the Department of Health and Human Services the authority to negotiate lower drug costs for Medicare. Those discounts would also be applied to private healthcare plans. (CNBC)
The American Pain Society has ceased operations, filing for Chapter Seven bankruptcy. The organization said it has become overburdened fighting lawsuits that have accused it of contributing to the opioid epidemic. Declines in membership and sponsorship revenue have also contributed to its dire financial situation. (MedPageToday)
Bayer has thrown its weight behind biotech startup Century Therapeutics with $215 million in funding via its investment arm, Leaps by Bayer. Versant Ventures, which launched Century, and Fujifilm Cellular Dynamics ponied up another $35 million to bring the round’s total to $250 million. (BioPharmaDive)
Eighteen new measles cases were reported in the U.S. last week. That brings the total for this year to 1,095 in the worst outbreak in any full year since 1992. Most of the cases have been recorded in New York City and Rockland County, New York. (Reuters)
