How a Wisconsin Supreme Court race could influence abortion laws

Today’s edition: Federal oversight agencies want to increase federal oversight of the ethics committees that approve scientific research. Secretary of HHS Xavier Becerra It refutes claims that the government is curtailing private Medicare plans. But first…

Both sides of abortion controversy seek to influence Wisconsin Supreme Court judge

Commemorating the 50th anniversary egg — And for the first time since the Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to abortion — a women’s march held a marquee event in what might seem like an unlikely state: Wisconsin.

But the location was strategic. It was to draw attention to the looming state Supreme Court race, which has profound implications for abortion rights in Wisconsin.

For 14 years, the Wisconsin Supreme Court has been dominated by conservatives.But the balance of power could shift later this year lawsuit The issue over the state’s ban on most abortions in 1849 is making its way through the courts and could land before judges in the years to come.

The first test of the technically non-partisan race takes place on Tuesday. At that time, four candidates (two liberals and two conservatives) will face off in the primary election and two will win the general election on April 4th. The contest has attracted national attention, with groups on both sides of the abortion debate expressing support, making voting efforts and planning to fund the race. The impetus is that state supreme courts are now poised to wield significant influence over abortion law.egg times.

• “This guy will decide the vote,” said Barry Burden, a professor of political science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. “Both sides are trying to find a way to make sure they get at least one of their candidates through.”

Conservative judges are sure to be out of office, paving the way for liberals to try to overthrow the court’s 4-3 conservative majority.

Abortion is one of the highlights of the race. Wisconsin has a near-total ban on abortion with books dating back to before the year 2000.eggThe state’s Democratic Governor and Attorney General do not enforce the law, But the clinic stopped performing abortions after the June ruling. And the Wisconsin Supreme Court will likely determine the ultimate fate of the 1849 Act in the next few years.

Elections are nonpartisan, but candidates in recent years have worked closely with political parties and touted support from advocacy groups, with some candidates telegraphing how cases would be adjudicated. Yes. The top two vote-getters will advance to the general election, with political observers predicting one liberal and one conservative will pass the primary. Patrick Marley report.

Liberal candidate: Dane County Judge Everett Mitchell Contested for a 10-year term in court, the Milwaukee County judge Janet Protasevic According to Burden, they seem to have surpassed him in funding and endorsements.

Conservative Candidate: I have Jennifer DoroughHe was a judge in Waukesha County and became nationally known for handling the chaotic trial of a man who drove into the Christmas parade. and, Daniel Kelly Losing Former State Supreme Court Judge 2020 election. According to Burden, it’s not very clear who the frontrunners are.

The risk of in-state abortion access is high. As such, major players in both movements are looking to influence the race.

Abortion rights side:

• early this month, Emily’s List Approved Protasiewicz. This is the first endorsement in a state Supreme Court election for a Political Action Committee that supports women in the Democratic Party that supports abortion rights.
• Women’s March Win has also endorsed Protasiewicz with a poll on the theme “Dammit, Vote for Janet”. Super PAC spends about $30,000 on primaries.
• The Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin did not endorse any candidate in the primary, but hired staff to educate voters about the election. Abortion rights groups envision expressing their support in general elections and funding preferred candidates, depending on who gets promoted.

Opposite abortion:

• Women Speak Out PAC — partner of SBA Pro-Life America — endorsed Kelly earlier this week And a prominent anti-abortion group has announced that it will spend six figures mailing, calling and texting voters during the primary election.
• Pro-Life Wisconsin Political Action Committee Also support Kelly, He said he was “the only candidate in this race with a proven record of judicial conservatism.”
• Wisconsin Rights to PAC In favor of both Kelly and Drow, “Other candidates in this race have already shown themselves to be advocates for the pro-abortion agenda,” it claims.

Survey shines spotlight on rise of for-profit ethics committees in research

Government oversight bodies are calling for increased federal oversight of the ethics committees that approve scientific research, noting that commercial companies play a significant role in approving research involving new drugs and biologics. discovered. Daniel Gilbert and Mark Johnson report.

Federal regulations require that certain human studies be approved by a registry research committee before initiation. Most boards are affiliated with universities, but a few are independently backed by private equity firms.

Conducted by an independent panel in 2021 48 percent of such research regulated by Food and Drug Administration,from 25 percent Ten years ago, despite just make-up 2 percent of all review boards in the United States, according to new report from Government Accountability Office.

The GAO cited several benefits of the increasing prevalence of independent review boards, including more resources and expertise. However, the emphasis on speed and profit was also revealed, raising questions about whether financial motives could endanger human subjects. Oversight agencies also found that the federal agency that oversees ethics committees investigated relatively few committees and lacked a way to assess how well they protected those who participated in investigations. bottom.

First at The Health 202: PBM Lobbying Group Launches Ad Blitz

New am: of Pharmaceutical Care Management Association As the pharmaceutical industry faces a new wave of attacks from members of Congress, it is launching a seven-figure advertising campaign aimed at educating policymakers and the public about pharmaceutical company benefits managers. increase.

Digital and television advertising campaigns by major PBM lobbying groups will run in DC and at least 10 other states over the next 10 months, with a particular focus on neighborhoods where legislators on key committees examining drug pricing issues live. guess. Advertisements also highlight industry-supported policies. That’s because some lawmakers have called for greater scrutiny of pharmacy brokers, alleging they’re driving up the cost of medicines.

Senate Commerce Committee:

Meanwhile, the Medicare Advantage War Continues (again)

Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra refutes claims that the Biden administration is curtailing private Medicare plans.

of Department of Health and Human Services Defending its records and proposals by saying the department proposed 1 percent increase on a Medicare Advantage Plan 8.5% boost last year.

Fighting Over Government Proposals Payment rate in 2024 Medicare Advantage Plans have been enhanced this past week.

of Better Medicare AllianceAdvocate for the Medicare Advantage Plan. the study from Abarere — and funded by the BMA — estimated that it could affect premiums and supplemental benefit offerings.

“The claim that this administration is cutting Medicare is completely false. Please leave it to well-funded insurers and industry front groups to characterize this year’s increase in Medicare Advantage payments as a reduction,” Becerra said in a statement, adding that an HHS spokesperson told The Health earlier this week. 202 reiterated criticism.

Fetterman checked himself into the hospital for clinical depression

Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) checked into the hospital Wednesday night and was treated for clinical depression. This was a startling disclosure about mental health from a politician. Colby Itkowitz, Lenny Bernstein and Mariana Alfaro report.

Fetterman was voluntarily admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on the recommendation of his congressional physician. who rated him on Monday. “John has had depression many times in his life, but it has only gotten worse in the last few weeks.” Adam GentlesonFetterman’s chief of staff said in a statement.

The decision highlights the physical and mental health challenges that new senators have been experiencing in recent months. Fetterman suffered a fatal stroke in May during his high-profile campaign for the Republican Senate Memet Oz, publicly questioned whether he was fit to serve. Just last week, Fetterman was hospitalized with his head spinning. His doctors ruled out another stroke.

Gisele Barrett Fetterman, wife of Senator John Fetterman:

Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.):

• Kentucky Supreme Court denied the request A lawsuit against the restrictions was brought to court yesterday in an attempt to block the state’s trigger laws and “heartbeat” bans. But the judge left the door open to further consideration of whether the state constitution protects abortion rights.
• supreme court Canceled Argument The case on Trump-era public health policies used to expedite the deportation of immigrants at the southern borderThe Biden administration told the Supreme Court earlier this month that the Republicans’ demand to maintain policy would be a fool Title 42 expires May 11, along with the national public health emergency, Reuters report.
• President Biden is “a healthy, vigorous 80-year-old man well suited to successfully carry out the duties of the presidency.” His personal physician wrote in a memo published hours after the president underwent his routine annual health check-up: Torse Orolnipa and Yasmine Abu Taleb write.
• The Pentagon released guidelines yesterday aimed at Providing additional support For military personnel and their dependents who must travel out of state to receive abortions.

Can food be medicine? Will the insurance company cover it? And Other Big Questions About The New Health Movement (Nicholas Florco | Stat)

Abortion Bill’s New Goal: Punish or Protect Doctors (David W. Chen | The New York Times)

Steak Dinners, Salespeople, and Risky Procedures: Inside a Big Business with Clogged Arteries (by Annie Waldman | ProPublica)

thank you for reading! See you next week.