Research!America, an advocacy group that works to increase biomedical research funding in the federal budget, is hosting a post-election forum on the impact of the election on science and medical research.

What do rural Americans say are the biggest problems in their local communities? A new poll finds that drug/opioid abuse and economic concerns are the top challenges. When it comes to drug addiction and abuse, a majority of rural Americans say opioid addiction is a serious problem in their community. On economic issues, rural Americans largely hold negative views of their local economy, but nearly one-third have seen economic progress in recent years. What may help? A majority of rural Americans believe outside help will be necessary to solve major community problems in the future, and many believe government will play an important role.

A committee of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine that is developing a framework to evaluate the evidence base for existing clinical practice guidelines for prescribing opioids for acute pain indications will hold a public session on Nov. 13. The study also will identify surgical procedures and health conditions for which new guidelines should be developed and prioritize a research agenda to address the evidence gaps.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will provide an update on acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) in the United States. AFM is a rare, but serious condition that affects the nervous system and causes the muscles and reflexes in the body to become weak.

Healthy policy experts and financial analysts discuss post-election trends in national health policy, and health spending.

Tim Morrison, J.D., Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Weapons of Mass Destruction and Biodefense, at the White House National Security Council, will talk about the National Biodefense Strategy, at an event hosted by The Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense.

What role did health care play in the 2018 midterm elections, and what does that mean for the 2020 presidential election? Two Health Affairs papers will discuss key elements of potential health reform policies that may be a part of Democratic and Republican candidates’ proposals in the 2020 election. Join a Health Affairs forum supported by the Commonwealth Fund and the Century Foundation at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

Webinar: How to Collaborate and Find Common Ground for Better Health Outcomes 

The 2018 midterm elections yielded a divided Congress. Democrats gained a majority in the House of Representatives and Republicans maintained control of the Senate. While health policy was a leading issue for candidates and voters in the 2018 midterm election cycle, the prospect of health policy reforms remain uncertain. During this briefing, Doug Holtz-Eakin, president of the American Action Forum, and Chris Jennings, founder and president of Jennings Policy Strategies, will evaluate the implications of the midterm election results for health care in 2019 and beyond.

The National Academy of Medicine will host a forum discussion on global preparedness if there should be another 1918-type influenza pandemic. The flu pandemic in 1918 is estimated to have killed around 50 million people globally.

CMS Administrator Seema Verma will address the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) on state flexibility, insurance affordability and new state waivers.