What to know about Vance's health care stances

Sen. J.D. Vance, who former President Trump tapped to be his running mate on Monday, has a history of investing in health care companies — and of pursuing health care policies that are sometimes at odds with his party's base, the DCD dream team of Rachel Cohrs Zhang and I write.

Vance, as a Yale-educated venture capitalist, has invested in biotech startups developing new therapies, companies that aim to aid in drug discovery, health data companies, and health tech platforms, according to his federal financial disclosures.

Why does it matter? Trump in the past has taken cues on health care from his vice president. Several people from former VP Mike Pence's circle — or at least his state, Indiana — filled out the ranks of top health officials in his first term. And Vance has not shied away from a number of health care issues, from the opioid crisis to abortion, gender-affirming care, and public health disasters. Read more from us on his record, and how it's evolved.

doctor pay

Doctors keep the peace, until they lose their piece

The truce that's held between primary care and specialty doctors over Medicare payments might not last if Congress overhauls the system that determines physician payment, my colleague John Wilkerson reports.

In the past few years, Medicare gave primary care physicians pay-rate increases that came at the expense of specialty doctors. There was grumbling from specialty doctors, but Congress smoothed things over between the two sides by increasing the pay rates for all doctors.

Those bonuses are petering out. For now, doctor groups are lobbying in unison toward the goal of increasing the pot of money for physician services. But getting Congress to hike spending is a challenge, and without an increase to the size of that pot, doctors will be left to fight over what's left. More from John.

food fights

FDA weighs stepping in on ultra-processed foods

Top FDA officials are weighing the regulation of ultra-processed foods, according to internal agency calendars obtained by STAT's Nick Florko.

Two officials met multiple times in February to discuss regulating products such as sodas, prepackaged cookies, and most breakfast cereals. Nutritionists suspect these manufactured foods increase people's risk for a variety of chronic diseases, though as of now, there is a dearth of rigorous research to back up those claims.

But don't get too stressed: The FDA is likely years — if not decades — away from serious regulation of these foods, Nick writes. Still, agency officials are publicly mounting pressure. Commissioner Robert Califf has spoken at various events about the potential risks of ultra-processed foods and met with advocates. He's told STAT directly that the agency can step in by putting benefits and harms onto the products' labels.

Read more from Nick about what the FDA can do and what advocates want to see.

coverage policy

Vertex sues HHS over fertility support access

One of the makers of Casgevy — the world's first CRISPR-based medicine — filed a lawsuit Monday intended to clear the way for the company to pay for fertility preservation services and treatment for people receiving the therapy, which can interfere with reproduction, STAT's Megan Molteni reports.

The suit challenges HHS's stance that Vertex's fertility support program would violate federal anti-kickback laws and accuses the agency of slow-walking a written determination. The FDA approved Casgevy for sickle cell disease treatment this December. While the therapy provided a glimmer of hope for people living with the disease, the process — including chemotherapy to remove bone marrow cells — comes with serious side effects including potential infertility.

Several methods of preserving fertility, such as freezing sperm or eggs, are not covered by many insurers including Medicaid. And the majority of the estimated 100,000 Americans with sickle cell disease rely on Medicaid, which is where the lawsuit comes in. More from Megan on the coverage battle.

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