What We're Reading: Calif. Pursues Single-Payer; Life-Saving $1 Drug; Trump Funds Cost-Sharing Subsidies

Single-Payer Passes First Hurdle in California

The California Senate Health Committee has approved a measure that would establish a single-payer system in the state. However, both Democrats and Republicans remain concerned over how to pay for the program, according to the Los Angeles Times. The publicly run health plan would also cover residents without legal immigration status and the law would have the state pay for all medical expenses.

Cheap Drug Treats Deadly Bleeding After Childbirth

A $1 drug could treat dangerous bleeding after childbirth. A single injection of the drug tranexamic acid could treat postpartum hemorrhage and save tens of thousands of women’s lives each year, reported The Washington Post. Tranexamic acid helps blood clot and when administered in a double-blind trial, the risk of death from bleeding was reduced 20% for women treated with the inexpensive drug.

White House Decides to Fund ACA Cost-Sharing Subsidies

In a reversal of earlier talk, President Donald Trump has agreed to continue paying the cost-sharing reductions to insurers to help lower the cost of healthcare. According to The Wall Street Journal, agreeing to continue funding these payments has gotten Democrats one step closer to agreeing to legislation to fund the government and prevent a shutdown. While the government will continue paying these cost-sharing reductions, there has not been a commitment for how long it will do so.