Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 387

How little Denmark got homegrown giant Novo Nordisk to lower Ozempic prices

By Arthur Allen, KFF Health News

On May 13, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., published an open letter to Novo Nordisk on the front page of a leading Danish newspaper, urging the hometown company to live up to its altruistic standards by lowering U.S. prices for its blockbuster diabetes and weight loss drugs.

What Sanders didn’t realize was that Denmark, a country of 6 million, was enduring its own crisis over how to pay for the Novo Nordisk drugs Ozempic and Wegovy.

Most other developed countries, including Denmark, negotiate down drug costs for their citizens, paying prices that are a fraction of those in the United States. But when a drug is effective and expensive, pharmaceutical companies can play hardball on pricing. And Novo Nordisk did, at least initially, pushing the Danish health system to its limits.

This file photo taken on October 23, 2023, shows Ozempic medication boxes, an injectable antidiabetic drug, in a pharmacy in Riedisheim, eastern France. (Photo by SEBASTIEN BOZON/AFP via Getty Images)

The country’s socialized health system had for years covered Ozempic as a diabetes treatment, but in 2022 doctors began prescribing it for weight loss, too, and soon they “emptied all the money boxes in the entire public health system,” said University of Copenhagen professor Jens Juul Holst, a co-inventor of the drug.

Countries around the world are struggling with how and when to pay for Ozempic, Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro, and other drugs in the same chemical class, particularly when they are prescribed for weight loss. Indeed, the sky-high prices paid in the U.S. set a bar that pharmaceutical companies can use as they negotiate with other health systems.

In Denmark, with prescriptions for the drugs gobbling up 18% of regional drug budgets in 2023, officials were considering the unthinkable in a system that prides itself on free cradle-to-grave coverage: forcing patients to pay out-of-pocket for Ozempic — a drug made in the country.

In America, meanwhile, tightening insurance policies are making it harder for patients to get the drugs, which are listed at up to $1,350 a month.

“There are changes month to month in our clinic in terms of the supply, coverage, which drug is available,” said Michael Blaha, director of clinical research for the Johns Hopkins Ciccarone Center for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease. He said that doctors and patients were “playing a constant game of prior authorization and appeals.”

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In particular, use of the drugs for weight loss is a hot-button issue. Novo Nordisk and Lilly are battling for coverage — joined by some doctors and patient advocate groups, many funded by the drug companies. They are pressing to overturn a 2005 federal rule that prohibits Medicare from reimbursing weight loss treatments.

“There’s a strong assumption that Medicare is going to cover these drugs for obesity treatment sooner or later,” said David Kim, an assistant professor of medicine and public health sciences at the University of Chicago. If Medicare pays, he added, commercial insurers will probably follow suit.

The impact on federal and commercial insurance budgets, he said, depends on three unanswered questions: How many people will eventually get the drugs? For how long will they take them? And at what price?

The potential Medicare market alone is enormous. In 2020 about 13.7 million Medicare beneficiaries, around a quarter of the total, were diagnosed as overweight or obese, according to Juliette Cubanski and Tricia Neuman, researchers at KFF, a health information nonprofit that includes KFF Health News. Assuming a 50% discount on a $1,300 monthly list price for Wegovy, that’s a $107 billion price tag. The entire federal share of Medicare Part D spending in 2024 was projected to be $120 billion.

Novo Nordisk spent $7.6 million lobbying Congress over the past 12 months, and lobbying disclosures show that most of that was to promote bills in the House and Senate to expand use of the GLP-1 drugs.

Pressure from drugmakers has been relentless. Pfizer, which has a GLP-1 drug in development, commissioned a white paper by consultancy Manatt arguing that Medicare law already allows payment for these anti-obesity drugs, since they have benefits beyond weight loss. Novo and other pharmaceutical companies have funded research that shows health care savings on chronic disease through use of the drugs.

But the Congressional Budget Office, whose judgments about the cost of such policies weigh heavily in whether they are eventually adopted, has yet to give a final opinion. In a March presentation, the office said it was “not aware of empirical evidence that directly links the use of anti-obesity medicines to reductions in other health care spending.”

Prime Therapeutics, a pharmacy benefit manager whose clients are employers that fund drug plans, released a study this year finding that only a third of patients put on a GLP-1 drug stayed on it for a full year. That means insurance coverage of the drugs could sometimes be a waste of money, said Patrick Gleason, Prime Therapeutics’ leader of research, since research shows that patients tend to gain the weight back after cessation.

That doesn’t completely surprise Holst, the Danish scientist, who said the GLP-1 drugs’ suppression of appetite is for many people “so miserably boring that you can’t stand it any longer and you have to go back to your old life.”

One answer might be weight loss programs that employ the GLP-1s for, say, a year, followed by maintenance therapy with cheaper drugs, Kim said.

One way or another, many experts in the field say, it’s sensible to cover weight loss before the onset of the chronic illnesses associated with obesity, like Type 2 diabetes.

Indeed, because obesity is associated with so many comorbidities, drugmakers are now doing studies showing that GLP-1 drugs also show positive impact on conditions like sleep apnea and heart, liver, and kidney diseases.

Yet even advocates for the drugs’ use acknowledge uncertainty about how long it would take for such health benefits to kick in, or whether shorter-term use would prevent or ameliorate longer-term illnesses.

“Modeling the impacts is complicated,” said Alison Sexton Ward, a research scientist at the University of Southern California’s Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics. “Medical costs won’t go down immediately. The prevented diseases may be years in the future.”

Starting next year, Medicare beneficiaries’ Part D out-of-pocket costs will be capped at $2,000, meaning U.S. taxpayers will foot the bill for most Medicare drug expenses. So it’s no surprise the Congressional Budget Office believes the government will launch Medicare price negotiations for semaglutide under the Inflation Reduction Act “within the next few years,” per its March presentation.

According to the terms of the act, Ozempic would be eligible for government price negotiation as early as next year, with new prices reflected in 2027. The negotiated unit price would apply to all forms of the drug — Ozempic; its higher-dose, weight loss-branded version, Wegovy; and a pill, Rybelsus.

Where the price would land is unclear. Wegovy costs patients up to $365 a month in Denmark, which typically doesn’t cover the drug — and about $140 in Germany and $92 in the U.K.

In this file photo illustration, the injectable weight-loss medication Wegovy is available at New City Halstead Pharmacy on April 24, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo illustration by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, generic drugmakers are gearing up to sell their versions of semaglutide. Those appear set to go on sale in China and Brazil as early as 2026. Americans are likely to have to wait until at least 2032 because of U.S. patent restrictions. The Federal Trade Commission has tried to nibble at the drugs’ exclusivity periods by challenging Novo Nordisk patent filings on applicators used to inject the drugs — which would extend their market exclusivity up to 30 months.

For now, patients who can’t afford or access the drugs often turn to compounded forms, which are not FDA-approved although their raw material comes from FDA-registered factories. Blaha has “a number of patients” who can’t access the branded drugs and show up at the clinic with compound drug vials.

Two weeks before Sanders published his letter in Denmark, Novo Nordisk cut the local price of Ozempic by 34%, to $130 a month — about 15% of its U.S. list price. The government, which had warned it would stop paying for the drug, agreed to cover Ozempic diabetes treatment, but only for patients who had first tried a cheaper medicine such as metformin.

Wegovy, the same medicine but at a higher dose, targeted to weight loss, would in nearly all cases remain the patient’s responsibility at $365 monthly, a price that, while modest by U.S. standards, has sparked intense discussions about the uneven impact of class on its affordability, said Nils Jakob Knudsen, an endocrinologist in Copenhagen.

The calculus of the drugs’ price is complex for the Danes, he added, because “the blooming economy for Novo is also driving our very healthy Danish economy.”

Novo Nordisk’s market valuation of $591 billion on Aug. 2 was considerably higher than the entire GDP of Denmark.

KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about KFF.

©2024 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Small-town patients face big hurdles as rural hospitals cut cancer care

By Charlotte Huff, KFF Health News

The night before her chemotherapy, Herlinda Sanchez sets out her clothes and checks that she has everything she needs: a blanket, medications, an iPad and chargers, a small Bible and rosary, fuzzy socks, and snacks for the road.

After the 36-year-old was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in December, she learned that there weren’t any cancer services in her community of Del Rio, a town of 35,000 near the Texas-Mexico border.

To get treatment, she and her husband, Manuel, must drive nearly three hours east to San Antonio. So they set an alarm for 4 a.m., which allows for just enough time to roll out of bed, brush their teeth, and begin the long drive navigating dark roads while watching for deer.

Herlinda Sanchez watches her son, Liam, eat breakfast as they wait outside for her chemotherapy appointment at Texas Oncology in San Antonio. (Lisa Krantz/KFF Health News/TNS)

About an hour before they arrive at the cancer clinic, the couple pulls over to quickly eat fast food in the car. The break gives Herlinda time to apply ointment on the port where the needle for her chemotherapy will be inserted.

“It numbs the area, so when I get to the infusion room the needle won’t hurt,” she said.

For rural patients, getting cancer treatment close to home has always been difficult. But in recent years, chemotherapy deserts have expanded across the United States, with 382 rural hospitals halting services from 2014 to 2022, according to a report published this year by Chartis, a health analytics and consulting firm.

Texas led that list, with 57 rural hospitals — nearly half of those statewide that had offered chemotherapy — cutting the service by 2022, according to the analysis. Rural hospitals in states like Texas, which hasn’t expanded Medicaid, have been more likely to close, according to data from the Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research.

Herlinda Sanchez heads back to her car with her husband, Manuel, after her final chemotherapy appointment at Texas Oncology. (Lisa Krantz/KFF Health News/TNS)

To keep the doors open, financially strapped facilities in small communities nationwide continue to shed basic health care services, like obstetrics and chemotherapy, said Michael Topchik, executive director of the Chartis Center for Rural Health.

“The data are staggering,” Topchik said. “Can you imagine feeling that sick, and having to drive an hour in each direction, or maybe more each direction, several times a week?”

Loss of chemotherapy services can signal other gaps in cancer care, such as a shortage of local specialty physicians and nurses, which is bad news for patients, said Marquita Lewis-Thames, an assistant professor at Northwestern University in Chicago whose research covers rural cancer care.

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Rural patients are less likely to survive at least five years after a cancer diagnosis compared with their urban counterparts, concluded a study co-authored by Lewis-Thames and published in JAMA Network Open in 2022. While the rural-urban survival gap narrowed over the nearly 40 years researchers studied, the disparity persisted across most racial and ethnic groups, with only a few exceptions, she said.

Many cancer drugs are now given orally and can be taken at home, but some treatments for breast, colon, and other common cancers must still be administered intravenously inside a medical facility. Even distances of an hour or two each way can strain patients who already may be coping with nausea, diarrhea, and other side effects, physicians and patient advocates said.

“It’s pretty uncomfortable for some of these patients who may have bone metastases or have significant muscular pain and have to sit in the car that long and hit road bumps,” said Shivum Agarwal, a family physician who practices in rural communities an hour west of Fort Worth, Texas.

Plus, travel can cost much more than filling the gas tank.

“Usually it requires an able-bodied family member taking off a whole day or at least half a day from work,” Agarwal said. “So, there’s a big economic cost for the family.”

In this sense, the Sanchez family is fortunate. Herlinda’s mother drives four hours from Abilene to Del Rio to watch the couple’s youngest children, their 2-year-old twins.

Herlinda Sanchez heads back to her car with her husband, Manuel, after her final chemotherapy appointment at Texas Oncology. (Lisa Krantz/KFF Health News/TNS)

Cancer infusions can last as long as eight hours on top of the travel time, causing significant financial and logistical challenges, said Erin Ercoline, executive director of the San Antonio-based ThriveWell Cancer Foundation. The nonprofit provides adult patients with financial assistance, including for gaps in insurance and transportation-related costs. It has helped cover gasoline for Sanchez, who received her final round of chemotherapy in late June. The financial assistance will also pay for her hotel when she travels for breast surgery this month.

Not all rural hospitals are ending chemotherapy. Childress Regional Medical Center, a 39-bed hospital in West Texas, is constructing a 6,000-square-foot center for patients who need infusions for cancer and other diagnoses, including multiple sclerosis and rheumatology.

The infusion area, which started with two chairs in 2013 and now has four, will grow to 10 chairs and have more patient privacy when it opens next year. The next-nearest infusion center in this sprawling region is an hour or more away, which discourages some patients from seeking care, said Childress’ CEO, Holly Holcomb.

“We’ve had a handful of patients say, ‘If you can’t do it here, I’m not doing it,’” Holcomb said. She credits the federal 340B drug discount program for enabling the remote hospital to provide infusion drugs.

Hospitals that qualify for 340B can buy outpatient drugs at steep discounts. The program provides “a huge kickstand for rural hospitals,” said Topchik, of Chartis Center. Hospitals can use the savings to buoy or expand services provided to the community, he said.

But some patients are not daunted by long drives and travel costs.

“I’m from the country, so small is better — it’s just more personable,” said Dennis Woodward, 69, who lives in Woodson, Texas. He has a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and chooses to make a two-hour drive to Childress. He had first visited an oncology clinic in Abilene about an hour away. The clinicians were nice, but “I felt like a number,” he said.

Fred Hardwicke, an oncologist, reviews medical notes with Dennis and Mary Ellen Woodward. Dennis has a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. (Charlotte Huff/KFF Health News/TNS)

After his first appointment at Childress this year, his oncologist, Fred Hardwicke, walked him over to meet the nurses who would administer the medicine, Woodward recalled.

Most Fridays during Herlinda Sanchez’s chemotherapy, Manuel would nap in the car. But during her final treatment in June, he stayed nearby, counting down the hours.

Several family members joined Herlinda when she rang the bell later that afternoon to signal the end of her treatment.

“I don’t want to be in San Antonio no more,” said Herlinda, a mother of four who does administrative work at Laughlin Air Force Base near Del Rio. “I’m looking forward to the break.”

KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs of KFF — the independent source for health policy research, polling and journalism.

©2024 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

7 tips to help dig your way out of debt

By Amy Sorter, Bankrate.com

Not all debts are bad ones. But bad debts can hang heavy around your neck and create long-term financial strain.

Here’s the good news about bad debt: You can reduce it.

When you have a clear view of your outstanding accounts and amounts, you can use the following tips to get out of debt.

1. Re-examine spending habits

Your spending is divided between “need to have” and “nice to have.” “Need to have” means food, shelter, utilities, transportation and clothing. “Nice to have” is everything else.

While whittling down your debt, you can’t slack off on your “need-to-have” expenditures. But you can decrease your “nice-to-have” spending and use that extra toward a credit card or loan balance.

Cancel that gym membership you don’t use. Cut back on meals out or the daily coffee. Get rid of that streaming subscription you don’t use. Eliminating a $15-per-month streaming subscription gives you an extra $180 a year, which you can dedicate to debt.

2. Determine the right payoff approach for your situation

The common approaches to paying down debt are snowball and avalanche.

Debt snowball – smallest first

Through the debt snowball strategy, you make minimum payments on all credit accounts and loans — except for the account with the smallest balance, where you put all extra dollars. Once you’ve paid that balance, turn to the account with the next-smallest balance and work on that. Continue this approach until your debt is gone.

As you pay off balances, the amount available “snowballs” into a larger sum, allowing you to pay accounts down more quickly.

The snowball strategy’s main benefit is the quick wins. Seeing a credit card balance at zero within a few months can motivate you to continue. But while you’re paying off smaller amounts, your higher-interest-rate account balances continue to grow, making this method potentially costlier.

Debt avalanche – starting big

With the debt avalanche strategy, you make minimum payments to all accounts. Your primary focus and dollars go to the highest interest-rate balance. Once the balance reaches zero, concentrate on the card or loan with the next-highest interest rate and whittle that down.

The debt avalanche approach eliminates the most expensive debts first, which helps you save on interest payments. However, this strategy requires motivation and perseverance. Your higher-interest-rate accounts could also be the largest balance accounts, which could take longer to pay off.

3. Go beyond the minimum

Paying more than the minimum on a credit card or loan means the account hits a zero balance faster, — and you save on the extra generated by interest rates.

Let’s say your credit card has a 20 percent interest rate and a $5,000 balance. If you make a monthly payment of $100 on that balance, it will take more than nine years (109 months) to pay it off. However, increasing that payment to $200 reduces the payoff time to just two and three-quarters years (33 months).

Paying more than the minimum can also lower your credit utilization ratio. This percentage represents how much credit you use relative to how much you have. A lower utilization ratio improves your credit score.

Bankrate’s credit card payoff calculator can help you determine minimum payment amounts, interest accrual and how long it takes to pay off a balance.

4. Earmark extras to the balances

Reducing spending is one way to generate extra cash. You can also use unexpected amounts, large and small, to reduce those debt balances.

Using the windfall

If you’ve received a windfall like a large cash infusion from a tax return, work bonus or money from a generous relative, put some of it toward the debt you owe and keep a little to treat yourself to a night out or other fun activity. Every little bit helps when working toward your debt-payoff goals.

Generate small savings

You can also make a dent in debt with the debt snowflake strategy. This method requires you to find small savings and direct those little extras toward debt. There are plenty of ways to do this, like:

Buying generic productsUsing coupons for purchasesCarpooling to save on gasReducing water and electricity usage

No, a few dollars a week won’t clear your debt overnight. But think about how many snowflakes can create large snow drifts. In the same way, small savings can help reduce what you owe.

5. Consider debt consolidation methods

Using a debt consolidation loan or transferring what you owe to a 0 percent APR credit card is one way to handle your debt. Both of these methods let you pay off multiple creditors and lenders, leaving you with a single monthly fee that goes toward the balance of the loan or card.

This approach can make budgeting easier (you’re eliminating multiple payments for one). You could also find yourself with more funds to make that payment, as you’ve eliminated multiple credit card and lender interest rates.

However, pay attention to information like interest rates and loan terms (i.e., the time you have to pay) before signing on the dotted line.

6. Embark on a debt management plan

A debt management plan (DMP) can help you in the following ways:

You work with a credit counseling agency to develop a budget to manage your finances.That agency works with creditors to negotiate concessions like fee waivers or reduced interest rates.If the creditors agree to cooperate, you make one monthly payment to the credit counseling agency, which pays each creditor.

There are a couple of caveats here. First, reputable DMP agencies are nonprofit, but you’ll likely pay a fee attached to your monthly payments.

Second, it’s not a good idea to open new lines of credit or take out loans while on the plan. You’re using the DMP to pay off debt, not accrue more. Also, if you recently entered a DMP (which might be reflected on your credit report), lenders and creditors might be reluctant to give you a loan or credit card. Those that do might only offer rates for bad credit, which means a higher annual percentage rate (APR) or fee.

7. Settle for less than what you owe

A debt settlement program means that you reach out to creditors to settle for less than what you owe.

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You can either do the job yourself or go through a third-party debt-settlement company that negotiates with creditors on your behalf. Depending on the terms of the agreement, you could end up paying less than what you owe (through a lump sum) or see interest rates and fees reduced or waived.

Jennings commented that debt settlement can be an option for those unable to meet payment obligations. However, “it may significantly impact credit scores and could have tax implications on the forgiven debt,” he said.

The bottom line

Bad debt isn’t desirable. But it’s possible to get rid of it. Following the above strategies can help you reduce your debt while improving your financial health. While you’re paying down debt, examine and modify behaviors that got you there in the first place to prevent going down the same road when your balances are paid in full.

Frequently asked questionsWhat is the problem with having too much debt? Too much debt is a concern if you rely on credit cards for everyday purchases or use them to pay off other debts. It’s also troublesome if you can only make minimum payments on those cards.According to Qualified Financial Advisor (QFA) and CFA Charterholder Ian Jennings, debt can also have an emotional impact. “Financial strain can lead to strained relationships, reduced quality of life and limited financial freedom,” Jennings said. “Managing and reducing debt is vital for overall well-being and achieving financial security.”Does a lot of debt automatically mean a bad credit score? Not necessarily, but don’t let that stop you from taking steps to lower your debt. When determining credit health, the Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO) emphasizes your payment history, which represents 35% of an entire credit score. Meanwhile, 30% of that score is your credit utilization, or what you owe vs. how much credit you have.Even if you pay everything on time, your credit score could suffer if you’ve maxed out your credit cards (which could be the case with a lot of debt). Use no more than 30% of all credit to build your credit score. For example, if your total credit is $5,000, keep your debt below $1,500.What is the best budget to pay off debt? One effective budget for paying off debt is the 50/30/20 method. With this approach, 50% of your net income goes for your “need-to-have” expenses, with 30% going toward discretionary spending (non-essential expenses). The remaining 20% is used to build savings and reduce debt.If you want to pay off debt more quickly, consider taking part of that 30% and putting it toward your credit card balances.

Visit Bankrate online at bankrate.com.

©2024 Bankrate.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Horoscopes Aug. 17, 2024: Austin Butler, stretch your imagination

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Austin Butler, 33; Tammy Townsend, 54; Donnie Wahlberg, 55; Robert De Niro, 81.

Happy Birthday: Establish what you want and how you will make it happen. Don’t let uncertainty come between you and success. Surround yourself with movers, shakers, doers and innovators, and it will inspire and motivate you to be the leader you know you can be. Stretch your imagination, step outside your comfort zone and push your mind, body and spirit to the outer limits. Focus on your destination. Your numbers are 5, 17, 24, 28, 32, 37, 45.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Put more into the activities, social events and moments you have with others that make you happy. Express your thoughts, initiate good times and focus on health, love and peace of mind. Don’t limit what you can do; make things happen. 2 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Personal gain, feeling good about yourself and what you can contribute and the difference you can make will give you a unique perspective regarding what’s essential. Step up and make decisions that will impact how you live and what you do to help others. Personal growth is favored. 5 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): When in doubt, communicate. Find out where you stand and how others feel, and look for common ground to bring you closer to a resolution or environment that works for everyone. Listen, suggest and be the one to enforce unity over divisiveness. Protect and nurture what you have. 3 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Embrace knowledge, learning, gaining experience and adopting changes that counteract any negativity you face. Get multiple opinions and decide the best alternative for you. Be resourceful and disciplined, and reverse what is no longer benefiting you. Love yourself, pay attention to detail and seek what brings you joy. 3 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Speak up and connect with people who share your vision. Be the one to make a difference. Whether your focus is on work, play or your personal life, give your all and enlist those you trust to do their best. Set high standards, be transparent and pursue your passion. 3 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Don’t put your reputation on the line to help someone else. Protect your name, possessions and position and maintain integrity, honor and the trust of others. Take better care of your health, and nurture meaningful relationships. Say no to temptation. 5 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Put your energy where it will do you some good. Be open to the information you receive. Reflect, meld the old with the new and devise a plan that will lead to worthwhile connections and transforming your goals. Protect your health and emotional well-being. 2 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Take a moment to rethink your goals and consider how much time you put toward doing what makes you happy. Explore the possibilities and take the time to travel, learn and find your bliss. Connect with people who share your vision. 4 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Honesty is the best policy, regardless of what others do or say. Make your thoughts and visions known to others and take the path that makes you feel good about yourself and your achievements. Don’t conform to please others; it’s time to please yourself. 3 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Get out, socialize and see what’s happening in your neighborhood. Set physical goals and enforce discipline to ensure you meet your expectations. Refuse to let outside interference stand in your way of positive change. A change of scenery will confirm you are heading in the right direction. 3 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Put your energy to work for you, and bring about the changes at home that offer peace of mind and optimum convenience. A space to work on projects that bring you joy or help you generate cash will be energizing. 3 stars.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Too much too fast will lead to second thoughts and potential setbacks. Don’t believe everything you hear. Ask questions and examine the results that others claim to achieve. Change begins with you, your needs and how much you are willing to put in to get what you want. 3 stars

Birthday Baby: You are curious, detailed and outgoing. You are charismatic and impulsive.

1 star: Avoid conflicts; work behind the scenes. 2 stars: You can accomplish, but don’t rely on others. 3 stars: Focus and you’ll reach your goals. 4 stars: Aim high; start new projects. 5 stars: Nothing can stop you; go for gold.

Visit Eugenialast.com, or join Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.

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Concours d’Elegance to celebrate Packard, the choice of kings

PEBBLE BEACH >> Packard automobiles were testaments to driving luxury for nearly six decades. The choices of generals, kings and presidents, the enduring machines ranged from single-cylinder horseless carriages to the touring car fancied by Franklin D. Roosevelt nearly 80 years ago.

(Graphic by Arianna Nalbach)

Beyond lofty stature in parades and motorcades, Packards are revered by engineers and automotive historians.

The manufacturer has long claimed the 1901 Model C Packard was the first car to feature a steering wheel. But others, including Alexander Winton and Charles Rolls, co-founders of Rolls-Royce, are sometimes cited with the same honor.

The Tour d’Elegance offered spectators a rare glimpse of automotive royalty in motion as participants piloted their vehicles through Pebble Beach, Monterey, Carmel Valley, and Big Sur on Thursday. Pictured is a 1934 Packard 1110 Sedan. (Aaron Bowling – Special to the Sentinel)

With several other vehicles and automotive milestones attached to its name, Packard turns 125 this year. Its legacy will be among the marques celebrated at Sunday’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Packard has received the same honor this year in several other auto shows throughout the country.

“We plan to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the marque’s founding with a special class for early Packards, ranging from pioneering single-cylinder horseless carriages to the era of the massive Dominant Six in 1915,” said event organizers.

Manufactured in the United States from 1899 to 1956, the last Packard departed from the production line in Detroit with its proud, declarative slogan: “Ask the Man Who Owns One.”

Packards had large, square bodies and were known for their “strong elegance” and hand-finished detail. The manufacturer reigned into the 1930s until General Motors moved to the forefront of the luxury market with a V-16 engine.

Beyond its steering wheel innovation, Packard was the first car with the “H” gear shift. The manufacturer was also a production pioneer of four-wheel brakes and it was the first passenger car with air-conditioning.

The curated display of models at the Concours d’Elegance will also include the 1930 Packard 734 Speedster Series. As detailed by the Concours d’Elegance staff, the offering “was essentially a line-up of factory hot rods based on a custom-built shortened chassis with myriad performance options and available in five unique body styles, including the quintessential boattail.”

With the arrival of World War II, automobile manufacturing in the United States stopped. Packard had difficulty competing against Cadillac following the war and its decline began. The Packard style was no longer at its peak, with its cars sometimes nicknamed “bathtub” or pregnant elephant.”

Packard eventually merged with the much larger Studebaker Corporation, and Packard-Studebaker became the fourth largest U.S. car manufacturer. But the cost-saving idea failed. James Nance, Packard-Studebaker’s then-president, suspended manufacturing operations in Detroit in 1956.

Packards have won Best of Show at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance four times:

* 1961 — Newspaper executive Scott Newhall, who began a long newspaper career as a photographer and became the executive editor of the San Francisco Chronicle, was awarded top honors for his 1930 740 Custom Eight Roadster.

* 1975 — Robert and Paul Milhous collected Packards for more than 50 years. A 1934 1101 Eight Convertible Victoria by Robert Milhous is a rarity among the rare.

* 1977 — Phil Hill, the iconic racing champion, and his wife owned many unique vintage vehicles, including their 343 Eight Murphy Convertible Sedan.

* 2013 — Margie and Joseph Cassini III, a New Jersey judge who died in January, was an avid collector including a 1934 1108 Twelve Dietrich Convertible Victoria.

Packards haven’t been manufactured in nearly 70 years. Brothers James and William Packard, mechanical engineers, debuted their first vehicle, a single-cylinder buggy in Warren, Ohio, in 1899. The following year, 42 American manufacturers unveiled different makes and types at New York’s Madison Square Garden in the country’s first automobile show.

When its 50th anniversary arrived, Packard was among only three of the same manufacturers left. The others? The Autocar became a truck and Peerless survived only as a beer company.

Packard’s fame developed quickly. Its greatest early success was a four-cylinder aluminum speedster called the “Gray Wolf,” released in 1904. It became one of the first American racing cars available for sale to the public. It was also the first automobile to travel faster than one mile per minute.

With the 1916 release of the Twin Six, with its revolutionary V-12 engine, Packard established itself as the country’s leading luxury car manufacturer. World War I saw Packard convert to war production earlier than most companies. The Twin Six was adapted into the Liberty Aircraft engine as an important component of the country’s wartime industry.

In 1938, Packard’s new “The Goddess of Speed” emblem featured a single wheel clasped between a woman’s outstretched hands. A transparent hunk of Lucite streamed behind her to illustrate her velocity. Industry enthusiasts noted the similarities between the wheel and a donut and it nicknamed the hood ornament the “donut chaser.”

Celebration of Packard at the Concours d’Elegance will be the carmaker’s largest presence during Classic Car Week. But the classics are a mainstay at other auctions.

A 1930 Packard 734 Speedster Boattail Runabout, one of 19 known to exist, will be for sale Saturday during Mecum’s second of three auction days. It will be about one of about 20 Packard offered at Hyatt Regency/Del Monte Golf Course and has an estimated value is $1.2-$1.5 million.

49ers GM Lynch on Aiyuk contract saga: ‘I don’t like that it’s taken this long’

With the season opener three weekends away, the 49ers are starting to have more concern about the Brandon Aiyuk contact situation.

In an interview with KNBR 680-AM on Friday, general manager John Lynch said, “I’m always hopeful. I’m an optimistic person (by) nature, and so I’m always hopeful that we get there and get there soon. I can tell you we feel the urgency to have him. The season is approaching.”

Aiyuk, wearing a red cap and shirt, watched practice down the sideline on Friday for a third straight day.

Why has there not been a resolution to his contract stalemate?

“I wish I knew. I wish I knew,” Lynch told KNBR, with an uncomfortable laugh. “I don’t like that it’s taken this long, but it has and you deal with the challenges you’re faced with.”

The wide receiver has not participated in any of the 17 practices. Aiyuk is staging a “hold-in,” which coach Mike Shanahan noted is “how the league works right now. You have a hold-in, guys usually have something wrong with them so they can keep doing that. … B.A. has a sore back right now and it is what it is.”

Wide receiver Deebo Samuel expressed optimism in an interview on the Up and Adams Show with Kay Adams: “I think BA’s gonna be a part of this team, so we don’t have to worry about that.”

As for left tackle Trent Williams’ holdout, Shanahan expressed optimism: “We have to work out a contract thing and, I haven’t talked to him, but I think we’ll be able to work that out.”

Montage Health opening residential unit at Ohana in Monterey

MONTEREY – Ohana, the Montage Health mental health facility in Monterey, is set to open its 16-bed residential program for children, teens and young adults within the next couple of weeks.

The residential program allows patients to live onsite for a few weeks to build new skills and improve their mental health, according to Montage. The unit is in an engaging, and camp-like setting different from a locked, inpatient psychiatric unit and family involvement is always a part of this program.

“Children who need more intensive treatment than a traditional outpatient setting shouldn’t have to travel to the Bay Area or even out of state,” said Susan Swick, MD, Executive Director of Ohana, in a press release. “Now we can offer effective, comprehensive treatment right here in our community. This is one more step in our efforts to improve access to effective care that we hope will result in better mental health for Monterey County kids and families.”

The residential unit, located at the Ohana campus in Ryan Ranch, will treat youth who struggle with issues including depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, self-harm, trauma, and parent-child relationship problems. (Photo courtesy Montage Health)

Montage Health’s residential mental health program is for children under 18 years of age and will treat youth who struggle with issues including depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, self-harm, trauma, and parent-child relationship problems. Youth stay for two to six weeks to improve their mental fitness through group, individual and family therapy using dialectical and cognitive behavioral therapies.

The Ohana program is built on an idea that mental illness is always treatable and can often be prevented, according to Swick. Mental fitness — like physical fitness — can be developed and sustained.

Youth and their families who are experiencing an urgent or emergency mental health crisis should still go to the nearest emergency department for assistance or call 911, according to Montage Health. Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula’s Emergency department has a Crisis Stabilization Unit for those who are in a mental health crisis but do not require hospitalization. Emergency services are not available at the Ohana campus.

The Ohana campus, at 6 Lower Ragsdale Dr., Ryan Ranch in Monterey, opened in December 2023 and comprises a 16-bed residential and outpatient facility of 55,600 square feet spread over three attached multi-story buildings on different levels of the hilly terrain connected by covered exterior walkways and courtyard spaces, surrounded by, and with sweeping views of nature on an eight-acre site built among rolling hills and oak trees. The award-winning campus creates a unique healing environment, drawing on nature, art and architecture to inspire hope and healing for patients and their families.

The Ohana program was created in 2018 with an unprecedented $105.8 million gift from philanthropist Bertie Bialek Elliot to the Montage Health Foundation, according to Montage Health. It represented the largest donation in Monterey County ever and one of the most significant philanthropic commitments in health care nationwide. Part of the gift was used to build the Ohana campus, construct a team of youth mental health professionals and establish an endowment to provide long-term funding for Ohana’s programs.

Swick has said the Ohana campus is an incredible space for all of its programs. It supports the team so that its clinicians can collaborate with one another so they can retain their calm and curious posture while learning from each other, from families and from patients.

Features of the facility include an outpatient treatment wing, 16 residential beds, individual, group and family treatment rooms, meditation and private comfort rooms, indoor and outdoor recreational and quiet spaces, a gym, kitchen and dining area, family resource center, space for community activities, classrooms and space for training and workshops.

The Ohana campus has again been awarded the 2024 Healthcare Design Award form the American Institute of Architects, honoring how its unique design supports the mental health of Monterey County’s children and familes, the 2023 Structures Awards honor by the Silicon Valley Business Journal for its innovative design that promotes healing and wellness, and the 2022 Healthcare Design Award from the American Institute of Architects for “best of healthcare building design, healthcare planning, and healthcare design-oriented research.”

Visit montagehealth.org/ohana for more information.

Horoscopes Aug. 16, 2024: Madonna, be true to yourself

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Cameron Monaghan, 31; Steve Carell, 62; Angela Bassett, 66; Madonna, 66.

Happy Birthday: Pay attention to how you present yourself and your skills this year. Manufacture the persona you want others to acknowledge, and maintain consistency. Everything will fall into place. A lack of confidence or inability to believe in yourself will attract those who want to take advantage of you. Be true to yourself and build a solid base. Know your capabilities. Your numbers are 8, 13, 19, 25, 27, 38, 41.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Unleash your power and set goals. Go where the action is and participate wholeheartedly; you will make an impression and gain confidence. Expanding your connections will inspire you to take on new challenges and meet demands that catapult you toward your objective. 2 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Keep your eyes and ears open, and you’ll gain valuable information and insight into prospects that can alter your life. Refuse to let setbacks, competition or jealousy consume you when discipline, hard work and persistence will carry you to victory. Use your time and skills wisely. 5 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Stop waiting for someone else to make the first move. Look for opportunities and follow through. Strike up a conversation with someone who can shed light on people, places and prospects of interest. Protect your investments. 3 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): An open mind will lead to conversations with someone who inspires you. Commit to making your dreams come true. Let your gestures speak for you when it comes to love and romance. Commitment will lead to stability and a lifestyle change. 3 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Participation in activities that get you moving will ease stress and connect you with like-minded people. Avoid making unnecessary changes because someone else does and pressures you to tag along. Think and do for yourself. Avoid joint ventures. 3 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Separate business from pleasure. You’ll find it easier to wind down if you change your environment. Pay attention to how you feel physically, emotionally and mentally. Do something that melts stress and inspires you to look and do your best. 5 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Get up and go. Don’t let laziness take over. You owe it to yourself to explore and expand your mind. An intellectual journey will broaden your awareness regarding the possibilities. It’s time to reach out to people, places and pastimes that motivate you to reach for the stars. 2 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Sit tight, plan and prepare for what’s next. Don’t pressure yourself or let negativity take over. Dream, research and reach out to organizations that can offer a path that makes your journey less stressful. Make a promise to yourself and follow through. Romance is favored. 4 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Taking short trips, getting together with friends, attending a reunion, catching up on reading or learning something that inspires and motivates you to do something unique, creative or life-changing is favored. Stop dreaming and start doing. Don’t limit the possibilities. 3 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Take a moment to decide what’s next. A day trip or meeting with someone who inspires you will impact your subsequent actions. Let your creative imagination take you on a journey that offers insight into pursuing your passion. Travel, romance and personal growth are favored. 3 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Don’t give up or give in when opportunity and growth await you. Get out, socialize and expose yourself to new beginnings. Don’t fear change or hide from commitment. Explore your options and pursue what attracts you most. Let go of the past and whatever’s holding you back. 3 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Review every detail, expense and possibility before committing to a change. Problems at home will require patience, discipline and expert help to ensure you minimize damage. Refuse to let your health or meaningful relationships suffer. Honesty, integrity and moderation are in your best interest. 4 stars

Birthday Baby: You are outgoing, talkative and flexible. You are active and impressionable.

1 star: Avoid conflicts; work behind the scenes. 2 stars: You can accomplish, but don’t rely on others. 3 stars: Focus and you’ll reach your goals. 4 stars: Aim high; start new projects. 5 stars: Nothing can stop you; go for gold.

Visit Eugenialast.com, or join Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.

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High School Football Tour: Improvement and commitment has Gonzales inching towards the top

EDITOR’S NOTE: Herald sports writer John Devine is spending most of this month visiting Monterey County schools to get a sneak peek of their football teams. This and other previews are available at www.montereyherald.com

GONZALES – The steps in re-establishing a football program that kept uniforms in storage for 18 months during the pandemic have been gradual.

From reintroducing the sport on campus three years ago, to recreating interest and overcoming obstacles not always football-related, Gonzales has restored the pride of a program nearing the century mark.

While another hurdle this fall awaits — as the Spartans will not have a home game on campus with their field being renovated — momentum is growing along with confidence.

Since returning to the field in 2021, the Spartans have gone from going winless to improving five games in the win column, finishing with a .500 record last fall. While it’s been gradual, the roster has also grown from 28 to 36.

“I feel good about what we’ve accomplished in a short time,” Gonzales coach Eddy Ramirez said. “But there is so much more we can do. We’re trying to build off each season.”

The next step for Gonzales is obvious in the mind of Ramirez and that’s chasing a Pacific Coast Athletic League Santa Lucia Division title, regardless if all of its games will technically be on the road this season.

“It’s my job to demand more,” Ramirez said. “Our focus is to continue this growth to get better each year. If you want to get better, you have to not be afraid to do things differently. I’m trying to build a system here.”

Not having a home game in Gonzales this year — the Spartans will play three in Soledad — will not be a deterrent or an excuse, although a handful of players told Ramirez they were going to sit out and come back next year.

“I can’t say it’s because we don’t have a field this year,” Ramirez said. “But I’ve had kids come up and tell me ‘I’ll come back out next year.’ I told them it doesn’t work that way.”

Last fall the Spartans went into the final two weeks of the season undefeated in league play before falling to Santa Lucia champion Greenfield and Stevenson,the 2022 champion.

“What I learned is we need to do more work in the weight room,” Ramirez said. “We need a weight room culture. We have to learn how to believe in ourselves, trust each other.”

For a program that has won just one league title in the last 21 years – that coming in the Santa Lucia Division in 2019 — Ramirez has Gonzales on the cusp of respectability.

“We know what we’re capable of,” Ramirez said. “We want to perform at a level we believe we are capable of. We want to put a banner up.”

Each season has seen Ramirez add a little more to the offense, making adjustments that best suit his personnel. The result last year was a school record for passing yards.

“You might see a little bit of everything this year,” quarterback Ray Blanco said. “With some of our formations, we’ll be able to open it up a little more, even have some designed runs for me.”

And why not? One of the more gifted athletes on campus, Blanco’s versatility last year saw him play multiple positions, where he rushed for a handful of touchdowns.

“We haven’t let him focus on anything too long,” Ramirez said. “When we have a hole, we have plugged Ray in. He’s a player kids look up to. He’s a good leader, a good mentor.”

After rushing for over 2,000 yards in 2022, the Spartans threw for over 2,100 yards last season, including 17 touchdown passes.

“Our system is based on the personnel,” Ramirez said. “My preference is to run. But when you have people that can throw and catch, you go with what you have.”

Having floated around offensively as a running back, receiver, quarterback and defensive back the last two seasons, Blanco has earned the opportunity to run the offense.

“I’ve been ready for this opportunity,” said Blanco, who has thrown seven touchdown passes in limited opportunities the past two years. “I feel have something to prove. I’ve been waiting a long time.”

While Blanco is a threat with his legs as well, the Spartans have a dynamic tailback to get the ball to in Ely Cisneros, who rushed for eight touchdowns last season.

Cisneros showcases a defensive mindset when running the ball with his punishing approach. He can also swing out of the backfield on screens, catching 12 passes last year.

“Those two guys (Cisneros and Blanco) are the heart and soul of this team,” Ramirez said. “Ely will get more touches on offense. But he’s important to us on defense as well.”

Cisneros’ best position might be linebacker, having produced 50 tackles, with a pick-six and two forced fumbles last season.

Spelling Cisneros at times on offense will be Alex Anguiano, who was limited last year due to injuries. An off-season of building strength has him in the best shape of his career.

“He hit the weight room hard in the off-season,” Ramirez said. “Alex bought into the weight room culture. Pound for pound, he’s the strongest guy on the team. He’s outlifting some of our lineman.”

What will help Blanco in his full-time transition to quarterback will be having 6-foot-1, 185-pound tight end Tony Garcia, who caught four touchdowns in a limited role.

“He was our starting center as a freshman,” Ramirez said. “Over the years, he got more mobile, taller and lankier. So we moved him to tight end. He went to a lot of camps as a receiver.”

There’s speed on the outside as well with Jayden Vasquez, who evolved over the summer, developing chemistry with Blanco in the passing game.

With smaller programs, size and depth in the trenches often have coaches holding their breath. Ramirez is no different. One injury can deplete three positions if you include special teams.

“We have some guys that went out in the off-season and got stronger,” Ramirez said. “There is an understanding of what it’s going to take to make the next step.”

The backbone of the Spartans’ offensive line starts with Nathaniel Alvarez, who will be joined by Isaiah Martinez and Jacob Hernandez in the trenches.

“This is the best offensive line we’ve had since I’ve been here,” said Blanco, a three-year starter at various positions. “They have my back.”

Alvarez is a solid run blocker with a burst off the ball, opening holes for what Ramirez hopes will be a more balanced offense that can provide time-consuming drives.

“We’re expecting good things from Nathaniel,” Ramirez said. “He will anchor our offensive line. He will open some holes or provide pass protection.”

All four of Gonzales’ preseason games are against Mission Division opponents. Surviving the physicality of nonleague play starts in the trenches.

“We have eight solid linemen,” Ramirez said. “But there is a drop off after that. We have guys that are working hard. For me it’s about the weight room culture. We’re getting it back.”

FACT FOCUS: Trump blends falsehoods and exaggerations at rambling NJ press conference

Former President Donald Trump on Thursday gave his second news conference in as many weeks as he adjusts to a newly energized Democratic ticket ahead of next week’s Democratic National Convention.

At his New Jersey golf club, the Republican nominee blended falsehoods about the economy with misleading statements and deeply personal attacks about his Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris.

Here’s a closer look at the facts.

Inflation did not take the toll Trump claimed. Growth surged under Biden

TRUMP: “As a result of Kamala’s inflation, price hikes have cost the typical household a total of $28,000. … When I left office, I left Kamala and crooked Joe Biden a surging economy and no inflation. The mortgage rate was around 2%. Gasoline had reached $1.87 a gallon. … Harris and Biden blew it all up.”

THE FACTS: Trump made numerous economic claims that were either exaggerated or misleading. Prices did surge during the Biden-Harris administration, though $28,000 is far higher than independent estimates. Moody’s Analytics calculated last year that price increases over the previous two years were costing the typical U.S. household $709 a month. That would equal $8,500 a year.

Separately, the U.S. economy was growing quickly as it reopened from COVID in 2020, as Trump’s term ended, and it continued to do so after Biden took office. Growth reached 5.8% in 2021, Biden’s first year in the White House, as the rebound continued, faster than any year that Trump was in office. Mortgage rates were low when Trump left because of the pandemic, which caused the Federal Reserve to cut its key rate to nearly zero. Gas prices fell as the economy largely shut down and Americans cut back sharply on their driving.

‘Foreign born’ is not the same as ‘migrants’

TRUMP: “Virtually 100% of the net job creation in the last year has gone to migrants.”

THE FACTS: This is a misinterpretation of government jobs data. The figures do show that the number of foreign-born people with jobs has increased in the past year, while the number of native-born Americans with jobs has declined. But foreign-born is not the same as “migrants” — it would include people who arrived in the U.S. years ago and are now naturalized citizens.

In addition, the data is based on Census research that many economists argue is undercounting both foreign- and native-born workers. According to a report by Wendy Edelberg and Tara Watson at the Brookings Institution released this week, native-born employment rose by 740,000 in 2023, while foreign-born rose by 1.7 million. Much of the disparity reflects the fact that the native-born population is older than the foreign-born, and are more likely to be retired. In addition, the unemployment rate for native-born Americans is 4.5%, lower than the 4.7% for foreign-born.

A thief is not allowed to steal up to $950

TRUMP: “You’re allowed to rob a store as long as it’s not more than $950. … If it’s less than $950 they can rob it and not get charged.”

THE FACTS: Trump was referring to regulations in California that allegedly allow for theft under $950. But his claim is not correct — a 2014 proposition modified, but did not eliminate, sentencing for many nonviolent property and drug crimes.

Proposition 47 raised the minimum dollar amount necessary for theft to be prosecuted as a felony, instead of a misdemeanor, from $400 to $950.

Alex Bastian, then-special adviser to Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón, who co-authored Prop 47, told The Associated Press in 2021 that the minimum was raised “to adjust for inflation and cost of living,” but that most shoplifting cases were already prosecuted as misdemeanors any since they didn’t exceed $400.

Prop 47 was enacted to comply with a 2011 U.S. Supreme Court order, which upheld that the state’s overcrowded prisons violated incarcerated individuals’ Eighth Amendment rights against cruel and unusual punishment. It instructed California to reduce its state prison population by 33,000 individuals within two years.

Harris has not said in this campaign she wants to defund police

TRUMP, on Harris: “You know, she wants to defund the police.”

THE FACTS: Harris expressed praise for the “defund the police” movement after the murder of George Floyd in 2020, questioning whether money was being effectively spent on public safety. However, she has not said during her current campaign that she is in favor of defunding law enforcement.

The Biden administration tried to overhaul policing, but the legislation stalled on Capitol Hill, and Biden ultimately settled for issuing an executive order. It also pumped more money into local departments.

Trump did not win Pennsylvania in 2020

TRUMP: “I won Pennsylvania and I did much better the second time. I won it in 2016, did much better the second time. I know Pennsylvania very well.”

THE FACTS: False. Trump did win the state in 2016, when he beat Democrat Hillary Clinton to win the presidency. But he lost the state in 2020 to President Joe Biden, a Pennsylvania native. According to the official certified results, Biden and Harris received 3.46 million votes, compared to Trump and Vice President Mike Pence with 3.38 million votes, a margin of about 80,000 votes.

Oil production in U.S. hit record under Biden

Trump says he will bring energy prices down by reversing President Joe Biden’s policy of encouraging renewable energy at the expense of fossil fuels.

TRUMP: “We’re going to drill baby drill, we’re going to get the energy prices down, almost immediately.”

THE FACTS: Oil production in the U.S. hit an all-time high under Biden’s administration.

The U.S. Department of Energy reported in October that U.S. oil production hit 13.2 million barrels per day, passing a previous record set in 2020 by 100,000 barrels. Department statistics also show that the U.S. has produced more crude oil per year than any other nation — for the past six years.

Economy has shown recent signs of strength, not evidence of collapse

TRUMP: “We’re going to have a crash like the 1929 crash if she gets in.”

THE FACTS: The economy has shown recent signs of strength — not evidence that America is on the edge of economic collapse.

On Thursday the S&P 500 jumped 1.6%, its sixth gain in a row. The Dow Jones Industrial Average also increased Thursday, as did the Nasdaq composite.

Recent economic reports show that shoppers increased their retail spending last month and fewer workers sought unemployment benefits.

Fears the economy was slowing emerged last month following a sharp drop in hiring and higher unemployment rates. But those worries were assuaged earlier this month when better-than-expected jobless numbers led to Wall Street’s best rally since 2022.

Harris was not named border ‘czar’

TRUMP: “She was the border czar but she didn’t do anything. She’s the worst border czar in history. … She was the person responsible for the border and she never went there.”

THE FACTS: Biden tapped Harris in 2021 to work with Central American countries to address the root causes of migration and the challenges it creates. Illegal crossings are one aspect of those challenges, but Harris was never assigned to the border or put in charge of the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees law enforcement at the border.

Black unemployment is lower under Biden

TRUMP: “The Black population had the best numbers they’ve ever had on jobs, on income, on everything. The Hispanic population had the best numbers.”

THE FACTS: It’s true that Black and Hispanic unemployment fell to then-record lows under Trump, but that was upended by COVID. When Trump left office, Black unemployment had soared to 9.3% and Hispanic unemployment to 8.5%. Under Biden, Black unemployment fell to a new record low of 4.8% in April 2023, while Hispanic unemployment in September 2022 matched the all-time low of 3.9% it had reached under Trump.