Digest
Panel revives challenge to drug prices program
NEW ORLEANS — In a 2-1 decision Friday, a federal appeals court in New Orleans revived a constitutional challenge to the Biden administration program enabling Medicare to negotiate lower prices for widely used prescription drugs.
Congress created the program as part of the Inflation Reduction Act passed in 2022. The first 10 drugs targeted for negotiations were announced last year, and new prices, agreed on last month, take effect in 2026.
Friday's ruling was handed down by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. It does not derail the program, but sends the case back for further consideration by the Texas-based federal district court that tossed it in February. It means the case is likely to wind up back before the conservative-dominated appeals court where opponents of President Joe Biden's initiatives often pursue challenges.
Young men more at risk for gambling addiction
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — A study released this week says 10% of young men in the U.S. show behavior that indicates a gambling problem, compared to 3% of the general population.
The Fairleigh Dickinson University survey came as the National Council on Problem Gambling examined every U.S. state's gambling laws, finding customer protections against developing or worsening gambling problems vary widely and could be improved everywhere.
The survey asked respondents to answer the Problem Gambling Severity Index about indications of problem gambling behaviors like borrowing money to gamble, or saying that their gambling caused financial or emotional problems.
Twenty-four percent of men reported at least one problem behavior, but that rose to 45% for men 30 and under. Only about 3% of men had scores that indicate a gambling problem, but that figure is 10% among men ages 18 to 30, and 7% among women in the same age group.
INSULIN: In a lawsuit filed Friday, the federal government sued three big pharmacy benefit managers over a system of drug rebates that regulators say made the price of insulin soar for diabetic patients.
EV BATTERIES: The Biden administration announced more than $3 billion in grants Friday for 25 projects in 14 states to boost domestic production of advanced batteries and other materials used for electric vehicles, in a push to reduce China's global dominance.
GUNMAN: Human remains found Wednesday in Kentucky were identified as Joseph Couch, who shot 12 vehicles and wounded five people Sept. 7 on Interstate 75, Gov. Andy Beshear announced Friday.
ABORTION: A federal judge on Friday temporarily blocked Tennessee from enforcing its "abortion trafficking" law, which bans adults from helping minors get an abortion without parental permission. The state bans abortions at all stages of pregnancy, with few exceptions.
EXECUTIVE OUT: Boeing on Friday replaced the head of its troubled defense and space business, Theodore "Ted" Colbert III. Since the start of 2022, the defense and space division lost $6 billion and saw embarrassing setbacks involving its Starliner space capsule.
SEVERE WEATHER: A strong storm flipped over camping vehicles, downed trees and power lines and left one person dead Thursday night in part of Oklahoma, authorities said.
— Associated Press
