Democrats and the Trump administration are beginning to hold talks on lowering drug prices as they look for a rare area of common ground.

There was an itchiness to the relationship between Gavin Newsom, who spent eight years as an understudy, and former Gov. Jerry Brown. Much of it was institutional: California’s lieutenant governor and chief executive don’t run on a joint ticket and once elected, the second in command has almost no official duties. The structure allows even a middling leader to cast an imposing shadow.

Democrats with 2020 presidential aspirations are courting the party’s increasingly influential progressive wing and staking out ambitious policy platforms.

Spending per member in commercial plans on medical pharmacy drugs increased by nearly 20% between 2016 and 2017, due in part to the growing number of emerging therapies with high price tags. 

California has given dentists nearly $130 million in incentive payments in the last two years in return for treating more low-income children.

To get healthcare's powerful players to behave as desired, HHS and its various units are increasingly turning to the same playbook: naming and shaming bad actors.