October 30, 2020
The Out-of-Pocket Health News Digest
Below you will find briefs about recent health policy news stories. Our hope is for students to have an information outlet at their fingertips to keep up-to-date with the most pressing news stories in health policy.
This compilation is produced by the HPSA Education Committee: Matthew Dunn, Magdalena Mihaylova, Atticus Raasch, and Brynna Thigpen
Purdue Pharma pleads guilty to federal settlement, stirring contentment and controversy
by Magdalena Mihaylova
On October 21st, Purdue Pharma, the maker of Oxycontin, agreed to a federal settlement of close to $8 billion for their involvement in the opioid epidemic, most notably through their aggressive and often misleading marketing of painkillers, which federal officials and everyday people alike claim led to the deaths of over 230,000 Americans. This federal settlement, while not the first or last in a long string of litigation against Purdue Pharma, signifies a major point of accountability for the company, which filed for bankruptcy last year. The settlement includes not only financial penalties, but also the restructuring of the company into a government-owned public trust that would continue manufacturing opioids while using those profits to fund opioid crisis abatement programs. 

Over twenty U.S. state attorneys have criticized the proposed public-trust model, demanding Purdue Pharma’s assets be sold to new owners in the private sector, writing in a letter to U.S. Attorney General William Barr that “the role of government in any OxyContin business should be to enforce the law, just as against any other company.” 

Similarly, the settlement enticed criticism from relatives of opioid victims, who deemed the deal as weak, in that it did not result in prison time for the Sackler family and only requested $225 million in civil penalties. It would sideline thousands of lawsuits filed by local and state governments against Purdue Pharma, and would protect the members of the Sackler family—the founders and owners of the company—from future liability. 

The debate over the federal settlement is rooted in the pain and loss that victims of the opioid epidemic have faced over the last three decades. As rates of drug overdose deaths remain high, and the looming general election sheds light on the importance of good health policy, the U.S. government reckons with providing justice and retribution to victims of the opioid epidemic and preventing further tragedy. 

November 3rd, 2020: A Quick Guide to Voting Safely during a Pandemic
by Brynna Thigpen
Election Day in the US is November 3rd, 2020, and 68% of Americans are worried about becoming infected with COVID-19 if they vote in-person. Haven’t cast your ballot yet? You still have time, and you can do it safely. Voters who plan to go to the polls can stay protected from COVID-19 while exercising their right to vote. 

Here are some key things to consider:
1) Plan out how and when you will get to the polls. If possible, avoid crowded transportation options. If those are unavoidable, that’s ok; the risk of transmission on public transit appears to be much lower than most assume. Going in the mid-morning or early afternoon may decrease time spent at the polls. 

2) Try to learn what public health guidelines your polling location has in place. Ideally, polling locations will have outdoor space for lines, unidirectional queues, physical barriers, mask requirements, and hand sanitizer. If this isn’t the case, you can plan to create some of these protections for yourself by bringing hand sanitizer, keeping your distance, and wearing a mask. 

3) Maintain social distancing. As you enter your polling place, you may encounter long lines and extended wait times on election day, so you should maintain a 6-foot distance from other voters and poll workers whenever possible. Once you’re done voting, be sure to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds, or, if that’s impossible, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. 

4) Consider both your own risk tolerance and the situations impacting others. You may weigh the risks of in-person voting and decide that it’s an acceptable level of risk for you, but try to keep in mind that others may not have a choice but to vote in person and they may be dealing with COVID-19 risk factors that aren’t apparent on the surface. 

Not only is it possible to stay healthy while voting, but voting can actually improve your mental health. So whatever your voting plan - Election Day or early drop-off - you can stay healthy and make an impact this fall. 

The #EndSARS movement against police violence faces military crackdown 
by Matthew Dunn
In the past few weeks there has been a surge of protests in Nigeria against police violence. These protests are directed against the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a police force with a history of repressive practices such as kidnappings, extortions, and extrajudicial executions. Nationwide anger toward SARS was reignited on October 8, 2020, when a video emerged showing Nigerian police officers, alleged to be from SARS, shooting and killing a young man. 

This tragedy sparked weeks of sustained protests and rallies in support of the #EndSARS movement. Nigerian youth have been a driving force behind these protests, with dissatisfaction mounting not just with police brutality, but also economic hardship, corruption, inadequate education, and other issues. The Nigerian government recently issued a national curfew and deployed the military to enforce the mandate. At least 56 people across the country have died since the protests began, including at least 12 peaceful protestors. Amnesty International has condemned the killing of protestors and called for an immediate investigation. The Nigerian government announced that SARS would be disbanded, a claim that has been met with resounding skepticism. This is the fourth time such a promise has been made, and little if any reforms to police behavior were achieved following previous promises. 

Individuals across the globe have expressed solidarity with the protestors. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, among many world leaders, have called for an end to the police and military crackdown on Nigerian citizens. The #EndSARS movement has been widely shared on social media, although Instagram recently apologized when it was discovered that posts in support of #EndSARS were being censored by their filters. Finally, at least one other country has admitted its own role in the violence taking place in Nigeria. Following pressure from a Labour member of parliament, the office of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed that the UK government supplied training and equipment to SARS from 2016-2020.

One-Liners
by Atticus Raasch
  • Amy Coney Barrett: Judge Amy Coney Barrett was confirmed to the Supreme Court this week, stoking new fears over a potential repeal of the Affordable Care Act. (The Hill, New York Times)
  • COVID-19: With much still unknown about COVID-19, reports are rising suggesting COVID-19 antibodies may be attacking the body in some patients. (New York Times)
  • Masks: According to a report from the CDC, mask-wearing in the U.S. among adults is up from 78% to 89%, but young Americans are still the least likely to engage in mask wearing.  (NPR)
  • Medicare/Medicaid: The Trump administration is expected to announce a proposed rule stating that those with Medicaid and Medicare coverage will have out of pocket expenses covered for a COVID-19 vaccine upon release. (Kaiser Health News)
  • Pfizer vaccine: With all eyes on top pharmaceutical companies to have a developed COVID-19 vaccine before Election Day, executives confirm the wait may be a bit longer. (ABC News, Politico)