What We’re Reading: ACA Marketplaces’ Record Enrollment; Antiabortion Protests at CVS, Walgreens; Alzheimer Drug Gets Expensive Price Tag

Nearly 16 Million People Have Selected Health Coverage in ACA Marketplaces

The Biden-Harris administration announced that nearly 16 million people have signed up for an Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace health plan since the start of the 2023 Marketplace Open Enrollment Period in November, according to the CMS. This record-breaking enrollment period saw an increase of 13% over last year and includes over 3 million new people to the marketplaces. This expansion has been a top priority for the Biden-Harris administration with the national uninsured rate reaching an all-time low earlier this year.

Antiabortion Activists Confront CVS and Walgreens

Antiabortion activists organized protests outside of CVS and Walgreens in at least 8 states plus Washington, DC, according to POLITICO. These protests are in response to the FDA’s decision to allow retail pharmacies such as CVS and Walgreens to sell abortion pills in states where its legal. These protests are part of a bigger plan to curb abortion access, by targeting big pharmacy chains, including a call-in campaign and a national boycott of chains.

New Alzheimer Drug Will Cost $26,500 A Year

The new drug, lecanemab (Leqembi), is intended to slow the progression of Alzheimer disease and is the second Alzheimer drug to be approved by the FDA in the last 2 years, according to NBC News. However, this drug comes at a high price of $26,500 a year, which would greatly limit the amount of people who could get the drug. Additionally, CMS coverage is restricted for new Alzheimer treatments to only include patients participating in clinical trials.