Podcast: This Week in Managed Care—Biden’s DOJ Drops Opposition to ACA and Other Health News
Every week, The American Journal of Managed Care® recaps the top managed care news of the week, and you can now listen to it on our podcast, Managed Care Cast.
Scientists Use CRISPR To Create Model of AML Progression
Using CRISPR, researchers were able to repeat the step-by-step conversion of a normal cell into a malignant one in acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
Language, Intellect, Speech Differ by Phenotype in Children With SMA Type 1
Speech impairment was primarily linked to motor impairment, according to a study examining the development trajectory of children with spinal muscular atrophy.
What We’re Reading: More COVID-19 Vaccine Doses Purchased; Revisiting Medicaid Work Requirements; Tax Deductions in Opioid Settlement
The Biden administration purchases an additional 200 million coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine doses; the president plans to revoke Medicaid work requirements; companies seek billion-dollar tax deductions in opioid crisis settlement.
AJMC® in the Press, February 12, 2021
Coverage of our peer-reviewed research and news reporting in the health care and mainstream press.
What We’re Reading: CDC Updates Mask Guidance; Racial Disparities in Nursing Home COVID-19 Deaths; Mandatory Mental Health Studies Considered
CDC updates its guidance to reflect best mask-wearing practices; study highlights racial disparities in nursing home coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) deaths; North Dakota to consider mandatory mental health studies in schools.
What We’re Reading: EUA for Lilly’s Combination Treatment; COVID-19 Billing Waivers; Convalescent Plasma Indication Updated
The FDA issues an emergency use authorization (EUA) for Eli Lilly’s coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) treatment; insurance waivers for COVID-19–related costs are starting to expire; new data update convalescent plasma’s indication.
What We’re Reading: ACA Expansion in Democrats’ COVID-19 Bill; Vaccine Hesitancy, Refusal; CanSino Vaccine Reports Efficacy
House Democrats include a major expansion of Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies in their proposed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) relief package; differences between vaccine hesitancy and refusal are spotlighted; CanSino Biologics’ 1-shot vaccine is 65.7% effective against symptomatic COVID-19 cases.
What We're Reading: South Africa Suspends AstraZeneca Vaccine Use; Mask Mandates Reduced Hospitalizations; VBID Office Hours
South Africa suspends inoculations with AstraZeneca's coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine; mask mandates linked with reduction in COVID-19 hospitalizations; VBID's monthly office hours to be held this week.
Podcast: This Week in Managed Care—Pharmacies to Receive Vaccine Doses and Other Health News
What We’re Reading: Panel to Hear J&J EUA Application; Senate Passes Relief Package; Heavy Metals in Baby Food
The FDA is scheduled to hear Johnson and Johnson's request for an emergency use authorization (EUA) for their coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine later this month; Senate passes economic relief package; heavy metals found in some baby food.
Laparoscopy Shown to Be Cost-effective in Evaluating Newly Diagnosed Ovarian Cancer
Researchers from MD Anderson Cancer Center found that laparoscopy cost more upfront but eliminated wasteful treatment decisions.
What We’re Reading: McKinsey Settles Over Opioid Crisis; Study to Test Mixing COVID-19 Vaccines; HIV Vaccine Clinical Trial Results
McKinsey pays $573 million over its role in the opioid crisis; a British study will test mixing 2 coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines; new clinical trial data point to a potential vaccine approach to combat HIV.
What We’re Reading: GSK Partners With CureVac; Oxford Updates Efficacy Results; Pharmacies to Receive Vaccine
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and CureVac will partner to accelerate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine production; new data show 76% efficacy for Oxford’s COVID-19 vaccine; 1 million vaccine doses will be sent to 6500 pharmacies.
What We’re Reading: More Americans Vaccinated Than Infected; US Funds Rapid OTC COVID-19 Tests; Breast Most Common Cancer Worldwide
More Americans have received at least 1 dose of a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine than have tested positive for the virus; Biden administration funds mass production of a rapid over-the-counter COVID-19 test; breast cancer surpasses lung cancer as most common cancer worldwide.
What We're Reading: Public Transit Mask Mandate; BLA Decision on Alzheimer Drug Extended; Drug Pricing Rule Delayed
CDC mandate requiring masks on most forms of public transportation to go into effect today; FDA will extend its review period on a possible new Alzheimer disease drug; HHS will delay the start date of a Trump administration drug pricing rebate rule.
Podcast: This Week in Managed Care—Biden Reopening ACA Insurance Marketplaces and Other Health News
Preclinical Study of Gene Therapy Vector for SCD, Beta-Thalassemia Shows Promise
An engineered lentivirus was created to avoid some of the drawbacks associated with current gene therapy vectors for sickle cell disease (SCD) and beta-thalassemia.
What We’re Reading: J&J, Novavax Release COVID-19 Vaccine Data; Undercounted Nursing Home Deaths; Experts Encourage Double Masking
Johnson & Johnson, Novavax, release positive results from phase 3 trials on their respective coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines; report indicates undercounted nursing home deaths in New York; experts push for improved mask practices.
AJMC® in the Press, January 29, 2021
What We’re Reading: COVID-19 Cases Fall; Gender-Affirming Surgery Coverage; OK Seeks to Return Hydroxychloroquine
Rates of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases decline in 41 states; Aetna to cover medically necessary breast augmentations for transgender individuals; Oklahoma seeks to return $2 million worth of hydroxychloroquine.
What We’re Reading: Vaccine Delivery to Increase; FDA Issues Hand Sanitizer Alert; Sanofi, BioNTech/Pfizer to Partner
The Biden administration promises to increase vaccine delivery; the FDA issues an alert on alcohol-based hand sanitizers from Mexico; 3 pharma giants partner to speed EU vaccination efforts.
What We're Reading: Biden Reportedly Reopening ACA Enrollment; Moderna Developing COVID-19 Booster; Brazil Variant Now in US
President Joe Biden reportedly will take executive action to reopen federal marketplaces selling Affordable Care Act (ACA) health plans; Moderna investigating booster shot designed to be more effective against emerging variants of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); Brazil coronavirus variant is found in Minnesota.
FDA Approves First Oral Therapy for Lupus Nephritis
Voclosporin, the first FDA-approved oral therapy for lupus nephritis, will be sold as Lupkynis by Aurinia Pharmaceuticals and is approved for use in conjunction with immunosuppressive treatment.
What We're Reading: Mitigating Variant Spread; Vaccine Supply Garners Concern; Merck Ends Vaccine Development
President to sign travel ban meant to contain more contagious variants of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); limited vaccine supply concerns top health officials; Merck ends COVID-19 vaccine development.
Podcast: This Week in Managed Care—Executive Orders on Public Health Reform and Other Health News
What We’re Reading: FDA Clears First Monthly Shot for HIV; Biologic for COVID-19 Shows Promise; Food Aid to Rise
The FDA approved the first injectable monthly treatment for HIV; Eli Lilly announced positive effects of its monoclonal antibody treatment for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); President Joe Biden will sign an executive order on food insecurity.
AJMC® in the Press, January 22, 2021
What We’re Reading: Vaccine Effective Against COVID-19 Variant; Amazon Offers Vaccine Distribution Assistance; Drug Safety Labeling Changes for Enhertu
New research shows Pfizer/BioNTech's vaccine is effective against the B.1.1.7. variant of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); Amazon offers to aid vaccine distribution; FDA issues drug safety labeling changes for Enhertu.
What We’re Reading: Trial Loses Participants; Moderna Vaccine Allergic Reactions; LGBTQ Health Care Discrimination
Elderly individuals have started to withdraw from Novovax’s coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine trial; California reports possible allergic reactions to the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine; LGBTQ individuals increasingly report being refused health care treatment.
