What We're Reading: HHS to Tackle Drug Pricing; COVID-19 Emergency Extended; Teen Mental Health Worsens

Biden to Sign Executive Order Telling HHS to Work on Lowering Drug Costs

The White House announced that President Joe Biden will sign an executive order directing HHS to explore new ways to lower prescription drug costs. Specifically, the order directs HHS to use the Innovation Center, which focuses on alternative payment models, to expand into drug pricing affordability. HHS will have 90 days to report its plans to lower drug prices. The president will sign the order during a trip to the West Coast Friday and Saturday as Medicare open enrollment season begins.

US Extends COVID-19 Public Health Emergency

HHS Thursday extended the COVID-19 public health emergency for another 90 days. The declaration has been renewed every 90 days since it was first put into place in January 2020. White House officials are concerned about upcoming colder weather and fall and winter holidays, The Hill reported.

Teenagers Cite Worse Mental Health in 2021

The CDC reported Thursday that most US adolescents had adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) during the pandemic, worsening their mental health. Physical abuse, emotional abuse, food insecurity, or loss of a parent’s job were exerienced by nearly 75% of teenagers last year, as well as electronic bullying, dating violence, and sexual violence. Data from the 2021 Adolescent Behaviors and Experiences Survey indicate that rates of poor current mental health and reporting a past-year suicide attempt among teens with 4 or more ACEs were 4 and 25 times as high as in those without ACEs, respectively.