March 15 (UPI) — President Joe Biden travels to Nevada on Wednesday to tout his plan to decrease prescription drug prices forward of recent federal rebates.
In a well-known chorus, Biden is anticipated to name for increasing Medicare’s authority to barter out-of-pocket drug prices, together with a $2 month-to-month cap on sure generic medication used to deal with power circumstances and a $35 worth cap on insulin, the White Home stated.
The plan additionally permits without cost vaccines for Medicare recipients and reduces prices for behavioral and psychological well being providers.
Final week, Biden unveiled his 2024 federal funds proposal, which calls on Congress to increase Medicare and Social Safety and scale back the federal deficit by elevating taxes on rich People.
Financial savings from the Biden reforms would pour an extra $200 billion into Medicare’s Hospital Insurance coverage Belief Fund over the following decade and assist preserve the applications solvent for a minimum of the following 25 years, the White Home stated beforehand.
Biden’s plan would additionally add industrial well being insurers to a requirement that forces drug corporations to pay rebates to Medicare every time medication costs rise quicker than inflation.
Rebates for medication administered by physicians underneath Medicare Half B went into impact Jan. 1.
On Wednesday, the U.S. Division of Well being and Human Companies introduced the primary set of pharmaceuticals that can be topic to the rebates, which means a decrease co-pay — starting in April — for about 27 pharmaceuticals whose costs rose sharply within the last quarter of 2022.
By comparability, 1,200 pharmaceuticals elevated their costs quicker than inflation all through 2021 earlier than Biden’s insurance policies went into impact, the White Home stated.
Later this week, the Facilities for Medicare and Medicaid Companies will launch federal tips on how choose drug prices can be negotiated transferring ahead, setting the stage for Medicare to begin the bargaining later this yr.
The president’s go to to Nevada additionally comes amid new federal information that present the Inflation Discount Act has labored to deliver down general healthcare prices since being signed into legislation final August, the White Home stated.
The administration additionally launched a report claiming Biden’s Inflation Discount Act would have saved Medicare recipients about $234 million in out-of-pocket prices over the earlier yr.
In a single excessive instance of excessive prices, some People have been paying almost $200 for the shingles vaccine in 2021, Well being and Human Companies Secretary Xavier Becerra stated throughout a Tuesday press name to preview the president’s Nevada go to.
“Not anymore,” he stated, giving credit score to Biden’s prescription drug legislation.
Susan Rice, director of White Home home coverage, accused Republicans of desirous to intestine the well being applications to support Large Pharma.
“Congressional Republicans have launched laws to repeal the Inflation Discount Act,” she stated. “Which means thousands and thousands of People would pay larger medical insurance premiums and better taxes, thousands and thousands of People would pay larger drug costs and insulin costs and thousands and thousands of seniors can be unable to get beneficial vaccines without cost and billions of {dollars} would return into the pockets of Large Pharma, all whereas rising the deficit.”
A number of pharmaceutical corporations have heeded Biden’s name to decrease prices.
Earlier this month, Eli Lilly stated it was slicing the value of its insulin and capping the out-of-pocket value for the diabetes remedy at $35 per thirty days. On Tuesday, drugmaker Novo Nordisk introduced a plan to chop the value of its insulin by 75%.
Motorists should brace for heavy traffic around Las Vegas during Thanksgiving weekend as droves of people travel in and out of Southern Nevada to celebrate Turkey Day with family and friends.
Nearly 80 million people are expected to travel nationwide for the holiday. That’s 1.7 million more people than last year and 2 million more than pre-pandemic 2019, according to AAA.
AAA projects 79.9 million travelers will head 50 miles or more from home over the Thanksgiving holiday travel period. This year’s projection is an increase of 1.7 million people compared with last year’s numbers and 2 million more than in 2019.
Of those travelers, 71.7 million people will travel by car over Thanksgiving, which is 1.3 million people more than last year. Potentially aiding that increase are the lower gas prices this Thanksgiving compared with prices in 2023, including in Nevada where the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gas is $3.70, about 58 cents cheaper than last year. In Las Vegas, the average price for a gallon of regular gas is $3.67, down 49 cents from Thanksgiving week in 2023.
Hertz data reveals Las Vegas is among the cities showing the highest demand for rental cars for the holiday weekend. Others include Atlanta, Los Angeles, Miami, Oahu, Orlando and Phoenix.
Busiest commute times
The Regional Transportation Commission suggests anyone traveling by car during Thanksgiving should brace for heavier than usual traffic in Southern Nevada, especially on Interstate 15. That especially rings true during peak travel days, which include Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, according to the RTC.
“The RTC recommends traveling outside peak hours to beat the rush, and for those traveling throughout the city, transit is a convenient and stress-free option that eliminates the hassle of parking,” the RTC said in a statement.
Looking to ensure travelers have as easy of a commute as possible, the Nevada Department of Transportation is halting work on multiple projects during peak travel times during Thanksgiving week.
That includes:
■ I-15/Tropicana Project: Work will be paused from 5 p.m. Wednesday to 9 p.m. Sunday;
■ I-15 North widening project work will be halted from Wednesday to Sunday;
■ I-15 South widening project work will also pause from Wednesday to Sunday;
“This effort aims to ensure smoother travel for residents and visitors during the holiday period,” NDOT spokeswoman Kelsey McFarland said in a statement.
RTC buses will operate on a Sunday schedule for transit service across the Las Vegas Valley on Thanksgiving Day and on a Saturday schedule on Friday.
Driving safety tips
The American Red Cross of Southern Nevada reminds motorists to drive safely and pay attention to the road, to ensure everyone has a safe holiday weekend.
“Before hitting the road this holiday season, ensure your vehicle is well-maintained and your route is planned ahead of time,” Rachel Flanigan, executive director of the American Red Cross Southern Nevada Chapter, said in a statement. “Let’s all buckle up, drive responsibly and make Thanksgiving a time of joy, not regret.”
Motorists should drive speeds that match road conditions; avoid distractions, especially while using smart phones while driving; always wear safety belts, ensure children are secured correctly in safety seats for their age and size; and never drive under the influence.
Emergency kits
With many Thanksgiving weekend travelers planning to go 50 miles or more, the Red Cross of Southern Nevada recommends drivers keep an emergency kit in their vehicles.
Emergency kits should include snacks, water, a first-aid kit, flashlight, a battery-operated radio, blankets, jumper cables, a map, a cellphone charger and an emergency contact card containing names and phone numbers.
“You never know when an emergency can happen,” Flanigan said. “Having the right supplies and information can help you navigate through any emergency situation.”
Contact Mick Akers at makers@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2920. Follow @mickakers on X. Send questions and comments to roadwarrior@reviewjournal.com.
RENO, Nev. (Nevada Athletics) – In the second of a five-game home-stand, a third quarter surge by Nevada women’s basketball led to a victory over Morgan State, 66-56.
Tori Davis led the team with a career high 24 points, while grabbing five rebounds. Lexie Givens went 10-10 from the line and led both teams with eight boards.
Within the first 12 seconds of the game, Nevada was already up as Audrey Roden drove to the basket for a good layup.
Morgan State then tied it up, but Nevada went on a seven-point scoring run to take control of the opening 10. The Wolf Pack ended the first quarter holding the Bears to under 10 points, as well as only shooting 7% from the field. After not giving up the lead once, Nevada took a 14-7 advantage into the second quarter.
Morgan State began to find its rhythm before the half, as Nevada found itself down for the first time with just over four minutes remaining. From there, the rest of the game saw eight lead changes and 10 ties.
A second-half push from Nevada allowed the Pack to jump back in front in the third quarter. Momentum continued to swing back-and-forth well into the third as both teams battled for the advantage.
The Pack closed it out with a ten-point run that allowed them to grab the lead, which they didn’t give up for the remainder of the game.
Nevada will next host the Nugget Classic from November 29 to December 1, with Central Michigan, Southern Utah and Portland participating.
The Pack will first take on Central Michigan on Friday at 1 PM.
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The Cowboys went 1-2 in their trip to Charleston.
Oklahoma State fell to Nevada 90-78 on Sunday afternoon in the Charleston Classic’s consolation final. It was a game dominated by a pair of Nevada players, as Kobe Sanders and Nick Davidson combined to score 50 of the Wolf Pack’s points (27 from Sanders and 23 from Davidson). Nevada shot 59% from the field and 39% from 3.
OSU was playing from behind all afternoon, as the Cowboys never held a lead, and the Wolf Pack led for about 38 of the 40 minutes. After going into the break down 40-33, OSU made a few runs at it in the second half, but the Pokes couldn’t get over the hump. Nevada extended its lead to 19 with about 14 minutes to play before the Cowboys stormed back with an 11-0 run to cut it to 62-54. The teams traded baskets for the next few minutes before OSU ripped off another 7-0 run to cut Nevada’s lead to 70-66. But when the Wolf Pack needed a basket, they got one.
As much success as Nevada was having shooting the ball, the Cowboys ran into some struggles, hitting just 42% of their shots from the field and 29% of their 3-point attempts. It continues the trend to start this season where OSU has either shot in the 40% range from 3 or in the 20s.
The Cowboys forced Nevada into 10 turnovers, the fewest OSU has forced this season. OSU also had a season-low four steals.
OSU had four players score in double figures. Chi Chi Avery led the way with 15. Arturo Dean hit double digits for the first time as a Cowboy, finishing with 13. Robert Jennings II and Abou Ousmane each had 11.
The Wolf Pack are a good squad, winning 26 games last season and 22 the year before. Nevada made the NCAA Tournament on both of those occasions, and KenPom projects the Wolf Pack to finish this regular season with 24 wins.
At 4-2 in the young season, the Cowboys have some time to recalibrate after being tested in Charleston. OSU’s next game is Dec. 4 in Tulsa.
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