Three health care issues to watch in tonight's debate

Vice President Harris and former President Trump have thrown campaign trail barbs about reproductive rights, the future of Medicare, and who did what to lower Americans' drug costs. Tonight they'll do it in person — hopefully with some answers involved.

Here's what we're watching for:

Medicare Trump has promised he won't cut a penny; Harris has backed away from Medicare for All. But neither has said what they will do with the program that covers more than 65 million people and is projected to run out of funds within the decade.

What we want to hear: What does Trump think about House conservatives' proposal to raise the Medicare eligibility age and promote Medicare Advantage plans? How will Harris pay for her party's platform to expand Medicare coverage of more vision, dental, and hearing services?

Drug prices. Both candidates are eager to claim victories against the pharmaceutical industry. While Harris has touted her "tie-breaking" vote to turn Medicare price negotiation into law, Trump hasn't said what he thinks of the program set to launch in 2026.

What we want to hear: Would Trump support Republicans' efforts to eliminate the IRA, and what drug pricing plan would he replace it with (is most-favored nations making a comeback?)? Will Harris explain the Medicare plan better than Biden did — and win over unaware voters?

Medical debt. Harris pledged last month that she would erase billions of dollars in Americans' medical debt.

What we want to hear: Simply, how? And does Trump have a plan to tackle medical debt?

Of course, there's plenty more. Both candidates will face questions on reproductive rights, and advocates want more answers on the mental health crisis. Follow along with me and Rachel Cohrs Zhang tonight.

biotech business

House passes BIOSECURE Act

The House passed a bill 306-81 to make drug companies stop doing business with some Chinese biotechs within eight years.

The BIOSECURE Act will likely need to hitch a ride with a larger legislative vehicle, such as a defense bill or government funding legislation, during the lame duck session between the elections and when newly elected officials take office. The vote on Monday makes it easier to attach BIOSECURE to a legislative package, though the Senate will be the true test.

The bill faced minimal opposition. Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), whose district includes a facility under construction owned by a company named in the bill, was the sole lawmaker to speak against the bill.

"This is how they do things in China. The PRC politicians decide they don't like you, so they blackball you." McGovern said, referring to the People's Republic of China.

behavioral health

Biden finalizes mental health parity plan

The White House on Monday released its long-awaited rules to force health insurers to cover mental health care on the same basis as physical health conditions. It is the latest salvo in a long-running federal government effort to crack down on insurance plans skimping on treatment for conditions including anxiety, depression, and addiction, Lev Facher writes.

The rule bars plans from using more restrictive prior authorization for mental health and closes some loopholes. But it doesn't include any new enforcement mechanisms.

Biden officials said insurers will do it this time, though, because comprehensive behavioral health benefits will keep plans competitive. More from Lev.

on the hill

Budget clock starts now

Congress is back in town and the Sept. 30 budget deadline is fast approaching. The chambers are angling towards a continuing resolution on the current budget, though even that has its land mines: President Biden made clear Monday that he'd veto a House version of the CR.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer spoke to the fight ahead that same day, urging bipartisan cooperation on keeping the government open and knocking out a few more legislative priorities this session — including one he's said the Senate would get to for two years now.

"We will not let poison pills or Republican extremism put funding for critical programs at risk," he wrote in a letter to colleagues. Democrats "will but of course" need GOP cooperation on that front as well as bills "lowering the costs of insulin and prescription drugs" he added. There are dueling bills to extend insulin price caps to all health plans, but Schumer hasn't scheduled a vote.

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