Policy

Kimberly Westrich, MA, of National Pharmaceutical Council, and Adam Colborn, JD, of AMCP, run through the current status of lawsuits and lawmaking at the federal and state levels related to pharmacy benefit managers and cost-shifting programs.

Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance programs all showed significant variability in expenditures based on social and nonclinical factors.

Among near-poor Black and Hispanic individuals, Medicare Advantage was associated with increased vision care and some, although not uniform, reductions in access disparities vs traditional Medicare.

Groundbreaking proposal to expand contraception coverage under the ACA marks the most significant update in over 10 years.

The AMCP Nexus 2024 annual meeting covered a variety of hot health care topics impacting managed care pharmacy in the present and future.

Many women remain unaware that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) mandates cost-free preventive services; however, ongoing legal challenges threaten the future of this coverage.

Experts explored the potential impacts of a Trump or Harris administration on the future of health care.

A review of positions and track records of Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump on reproductive health, the future of the Affordable Care Act, prescription drug costs, health care consolidation, and a proposed Medicare home health benefit.

A new letter signed by more than 230 members of the House urges Congress to not only block the scheduled 2.8% reimbursement cut, but also reform the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule.

The prevalence rates of metabolic dysfunction–associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) are likely underestimated using claims data alone.

Amidst ambiguous international guidelines for first-line treatment of opioid use disorder, a new population-based study sheds light on the benefits of methadone vs buprenorphine/naloxone for holding off treatment discontinuation.

Miriam Godwin, CMMI, National Kidney Foundation, touches on the gaps in kidney care that public policy can address, as well as the importance of thinking about the long-term benefits of value-based care.

Lecanemab (Leqembi; Eisai/Biogen) received traditional approval from the FDA in July 2023, following an accelerated approval in January 2023, to treat adult patients who have Alzheimer disease.

CMS released a preliminary list of 101 generic drugs for its Medicare $2 Drug List Model, which aims to cap out-of-pocket costs at $2 per month for select medications.

According to KFF’s annual Employer Health Benefits Survey, the average premium for family coverage now stands at $25,572, with workers contributing an average of $6296 annually.

CMS actuaries foresee a gradual rise in per capita health spending, slowing initially but eventually outpacing economic growth.

Hereditary breast cancers are caused by germline mutations, which are genetic mutations inherited at conception and so called because they originate in germ cells, those that develop into reproductive cells and become eggs in female individuals and sperm in male individuals.

Economic incentives and patent protections drive development of innovative medications. Drug prices are determined by consumer demand, not production costs. Therefore, governmental regulation risks future investment in research and development.

The legacy of redlining continues to harm minority health, with Black individuals facing higher rates of health issues, linked to environmental factors and limited access to resources in regions previously redlined.

The 25th International AIDS Conference took place July 22-26 in Munich, Germany, and one of the sessions delved into the potential impact of civil society laws on the 95-95-95 targets as laid out in the UNAIDS Global AIDS Strategy for 2021 to 2026.

Average Medicare drug premiums for older Americans will drop next year for those enrolled in traditional Medicare plans or who have coverage through Medicare Advantage, with opinions divided along party lines on the economic implications.

Systemic racism, including the practice of redlining, has had an enduring effect on health outcomes in people living with HIV, including time to viral suppression.

Catalyst for Payment Reform (CPR) explores stakeholder perspectives in Florida, Michigan, and Nevada, revealing both the challenges and opportunities states face in reforming health care pricing structures.

The House of Representatives unanimously passed the bipartisan Seniors’ Access to Critical Medications Act (HR 5526), which would reverse CMS restrictions on mail delivery of cancer medications to Medicare beneficiaries.

The Senate HELP Committee held a hearing to address the high cost of semaglutide drugs, finding that many patients cannot afford them despite their potential benefits.

September 24 celebrates Familial Hypercholesterolemia Awareness Day, which recognizes the importance of screening measures, education, and advocacy in a lesser-known, underdiagnosed cardiovascular condition.

The Inflation Reduction Act was signed into law on August 16, 2022, and the debate over its Medicare-related benefits and impact on the prescription drug market has been raging ever since.

Maternal navigation for pregnant patients who chronically miss prenatal care appointments is necessary to reduce premature births and associated health care costs.

Accountable care organizations (ACOs) with a major teaching hospital were associated with lower mortality, lower inpatient spending, lower emergency department utilization, and higher overall outpatient spending.