What We’re Reading: VA Commission Rejected; New Census Data; HHS Guidance on Patient Privacy
June 30th 2022Senators did not approve the 9-nominee commission to reshape the Veteran Affairs health care system; US population is getting older and more diverse; HHS issued guidance to protect patient privacy related to sexual and reproductive care.
What We’re Reading: MA Plans Under Scrutiny; Military Abortion Access; CDC and Monkeypox Efforts
June 29th 2022Medicare Advantage (MA) plans are denying care while overcharging the government, watchdogs said at a Congressional hearing; overturn of Roe v Wade will not change how military treatment facilities provide abortions; the CDC activates the Emergency Operations Center in response to monkeypox.
What We’re Reading: FDA to Cut Nicotine Levels; Insulin Pricing Bill; DaVita Loses Dialysis Case
June 22nd 2022The FDA plans to set a maximum nicotine level in cigarettes and tobacco products to reduce addictiveness; a bipartisan bill would place a $35 monthly cap on insulin for patients with private insurance or Medicare; the Supreme Court ruled that an Ohio hospital’s employee health plan did not violate federal law by limiting coverage for outpatient dialysis.
Dr Omid Hamid on Choosing Targeted Therapy in Advanced Melanoma
June 15th 2022Omid A. Hamid, MD, chief of Translational Research and Immunotherapy, director, Melanoma Therapeutics, The Angeles Clinic and Research Institute, spoke with The American Journal of Managed Care® (AJMC®) about evaluating therapy options for patients with advanced melanoma.
FDA Widens Use of Dupilumab to Children With AD as Young as 6 Months
June 9th 2022The FDA this week expanded the use of dupilumab for children aged 6 months to 5 years with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) whose disease is not controlled with topical prescription therapies or when those treatments can't be used.
What We're Reading: FTC Launches PBM Inquiry; FDA Advisers Recommend Novavax; Drug Prices Soar
June 8th 2022The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) launched an inquiry into the practices of pharmacy benefit managers; FDA advisers overwhelmingly support approval of Novavax, a new COVID-19 vaccine; drug prices soar to 20% annual inflation.