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Julia is an associate editor for The American Journal of Managed Care® (AJMC®) and joined AJMC® in 2022. She produces written and video content covering multiple disease states, and assists in the screening process for manuscripts submitted to AJMC®.

She has a BA in English language and literature from Rutgers University. You can connect with Julia on 

Articles

The Trump administration has decided to further debate the federal rule passed during the Biden administration that guaranteed insurance coverage for treatment of mental illness and substance abuse.

Trump Administration Walks Back Mental Health Parity in Insurance Coverage

Mary Caffrey is the Executive Editor for The American Journal of Managed Care® (

®). She joined AJMC® in 2013 and is the primary staff editor for 

the multistakeholder publication that reaches 22,000+ oncology providers, policy makers and formulary decision makers. She is also part of the team that oversees speaker recruitment and panel preparations for 

®'s premier annual oncology meeting, Patient-Centered Oncology Care®. For more than a decade, Mary has covered ASCO, ASH, ACC and other leading scientific meetings for 

Mary has a BA in communications and philosophy from Loyola University New Orleans. You can connect with Mary on 

Data for SKYSCRAPER-01, involving the anti-TIGIT antibody tiragolumab, align with recent bad news for this once-promising therapeutic target. But investigators involved in TIGIT studies say the problem is finding the right biomarker.

Finding the Right Biomarker Is Key to the TIGIT Puzzle, Experts Say

Maggie is a senior editor for The American Journal of Managed Care® (AJMC®) and produces written, video, and podcast content covering several disease states. She joined AJMC® in 2019, and has been with AJMC®’s parent company, MJH Life Sciences®, since 2014, when she started as a copy editor.

She has a BA in English from Penn State University. You can connect with Maggie on 

Proposed Medicaid cuts in the Republican budget proposal hold significant implications for health care access and coverage.

Proposed GOP Medicaid Cuts Threaten Loss of Coverage for Millions 

Across various classes, the researchers identified a model that, when coupled with appropriate data augmentation and optimization partner, may help aid in the detection of skin cancer. 

Optimized Deep Learning Model Classifies Smartphone Images of Malignant Skin Lesions 

The American Journal of Managed Care provides insights into the latest news and research in managed care across multimedia platforms.

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On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we are speaking with Jai N. Patel, PharmD, the associate director of shared resources management at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center.

, "Medical Policy Determinations for Pharmacogenetic Tests Among US Health Plans," uncovered significant differences in coverage decisions for pharmacogenetic tests across major US health insurers and laboratory benefit managers. Pharmacogenetic testing examines how an individual's genetic makeup impacts drug response.

In our discussion, Patel shares what motivated this research, key takeaways from his findings, and steps needed to improve consistency in evidence evaluation and pharmacogenetic test coverage.

Listen above or on one of these podcast services:

On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we speak with the author of a study published in the February 2025 issue of The American Journal of Managed Care® to uncover significant differences in coverage decisions for pharmacogenetic tests across major US health insurers.

Varied Access: The Pharmacogenetic Testing Coverage Divide

On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we speak with George Jones, chief operating officer at UpScript Health, an online pioneer of eprescribing 20 years ago, to learn how telemedicine has progressed from asynchronous conferencing to real-time video consultation, enabling the treatment of complex conditions beyond primary care. Although technology access remains a challenge for some, Jones emphasizes telemedicine’s potential to reduce wait times and improve efficiency, especially for conditions requiring specialist care.

A major theme in the telemedicine space is access to 

 treatments, particularly glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medications like semaglutide, which was recently included on the second 

 under the Inflation Reduction Act. We also discuss how Medicare’s limited obesity coverage may reduce the impact of these negotiations, advocating for policies and step therapy models that can help to lower patient costs, and the regulatory concerns associated with compounded GLP-1s as an alternative, knowing that these medications are prepared outside FDA oversight.

Listen above or through one of these podcast services:

George Jones of UpScript Health discusses telemedicine's evolution from basic e-prescribing to real-time video consultations, expanding treatment beyond primary care.

Telemedicine’s Evolution and Expanding Access to Obesity, Specialty Care

On this newest episode of Managed Care Cast, we are speaking with Perry N. Halkitis, PhD, MS, MPH, dean, Hunterdon Professor of Public Health & Health Equity, and distinguished professor at the Rutgers School of Public Health. Using his expertise in 

 epidemiology, public health psychology, and health behavior, our conversation centers on the potential withdrawal of the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO), the new directive for the CDC to stop communications with the WHO, and their public health implications. We also touch on the importance of accurate public health information and the role of public health leaders in advocating for science and health.

On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we speak with Perry N. Halkitis, PhD, MS, MPH, dean of the Rutgers School of Public Health, on the public health implications of the US withdrawal from the World Health Organization and the role of public health leaders in advocating for science and health.

Politics vs Science: The Future of US Public Health

On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we speak with Jeffery A. Goad,

PharmD, MPH, professor of pharmacy at the Chapman University School of Pharmacy in Irvine, California; a fellow of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists; and 2024-2025 president of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.

On July 16, the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF released their latest public immunization data, and in this interview, Goad addresses how these 2023 data compare with 2019 baseline data (pre-COVID-19), the vital role of vaccine distribution infrastructure and its impact on health care equity, repercussion on national and global infant mortality rates, potential public policy implications, and the importance of community pharmacists to tackling vaccine misinformation.

On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we speak with Jeffery A. Goad, PharmD, MPH, 2024-2025 president of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, on the recent report from the World Health Organization and UNICEF on public immunization rates, with national and global health implications.

Bridging the Vaccination Gap: Insights on Global Immunization Challenges

, we're talking with the University of Southern California's Erin Duffy, PhD, MPH, an author of a study published in the June 2024 issue of 

Deductible Double Jeopardy: Patients May Pay More Out of Pocket When Pregnancy Crosses 2 Years

," discusses how annual high-deductible insurance plans may increase maternity care costs when pregnancies cross 2 calendar years, causing patients to hit their cost-sharing limits twice.

On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with the author of a study published in the June 2024 issue of The American Journal of Managed Care® about how annual high-deductible insurance plans increase maternity care costs when pregnancies cross 2 calendar years.


Double Trouble: High-Deductible Plans Raise Maternity Care Costs Across 2 Calendar Years

Welcome to the final episode in our special Pride Month series. In this special edition of 

, we speak with Lauren Albrecht, director of advocacy and organizing, and Layla Orlando, director of health equity and wellness, at 

, first founded in 2004 and which has grown to become the largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, plus (LGBTQ+) advocacy organization in New Jersey, at more than 150,000 members.

Racial, economic, and disability justice concerns underpin this advocacy and civil rights organization’s mission to bring full equality to all members of all LGBTQ+ communities in the state. We discuss state- and federal-level legislation, with potential implications on not only LGBTQ+ rights in the state, but reproductive freedom as well; notable achievements for the LGBTQ+ community in New Jersey; and, as with our previous episodes in this limited-edition series, health care policy in this election year.

Please check out our previous episodes with 

In this fifth, and final, special bonus episode of our Pride Month series, we speak with Lauren Albrecht, director of advocacy and organizing, and Layla Orlando, director of health equity and wellness, at Garden State Equality, the largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, plus advocacy organization in New Jersey.

Cultivating Equality in the Garden State

 and the fourth podcast in our series to celebrate Pride Month in 2024. Today we are speaking with Domenico Ruggerio, executive director of 

, in Charleston, South Carolina, which was founded in 1995 and provides life-affirming and life-saving programs for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer plus (LGBTQ+) youth, up to the age of 24, by upholding 5 core values: imagination, celebration, self-determination, intersectional justice, and education of self and others.

In our conversation, we hit on the importance of 

 for LGBTQ+ youth, and how the pandemic and social media have collided to show how necessary these services are; the many other social support and health and wellness programs that We Are Family provides; and, as with our earlier episodes, health care policy priorities for the LGBTQ+ community in this election year.

And please check out our earlier episodes with 

In our fourth Pride Month podcast episode, we are speaking with Domenico Ruggerio, executive director of We Are Family, in Charleston, South Carolina, the state's oldest nonprofit to provide life-affirming and life-saving programs for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, plus (LGBTQ+) youth.

Shining the Spotlight on Queer Joy and Resilience in LGBTQ+ Youth

 and the third podcast in our series to celebrate Pride Month in 2024. In this episode, we  speak with Patrick McGovern, CEO of 

 since August of 2023 and an outspoken advocate for 

; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, plus (LGBTQ+); and community health. He brings to this role a wealth of experience and a lifetime of advocacy, including as chief operations and strategy officer at Amida Care, CEO of Harlem United Community AIDS Center, and vice president of government affairs at Gilead.

"My career has really been dedicated to providing equitable health care for people that our mainstream health care systems have often neglected," McGovern states. "As a gay man myself, I know firsthand that LGBTQ+ people and people living with HIV often have to take care of ourselves in a society that's pushed us to the margin and I think, at times, demonized us."

For the third episode in our special Pride Month series, we speak with Patrick McGovern, CEO of Callen-Lorde since August of 2023 and an outspoken advocate for HIV; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, plus (LGBTQ+); and community health.

Elevating Equitable Health Care for the LGBTQ+ Community

 and the second podcast in our series to celebrate Pride Month in 2024. In this episode, we speak with Perry Halkitis, PhD, MS, MPH, dean and Hunterdon Professor of Public Health & Health Equity at 

, and founder and director of the Center for Health, Identity, Behavior & Prevention Studies at Rutgers, and James F. Dougherty, VMD, MS, Rutgers’ alumnus, former chairman of the Board of Trustees of the university, and current member of its Board of Governors.

In December, Dougherty made a $3 million gift to the Rutgers School of Public Health that will help create the Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health at Rutgers and fund public policy research for the advocacy of, activism for, and attention on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, plus (LGBTQ+) health, health care, and services.

He and Halkitis discuss Rutgers' long track record of advocating for the LGBTQ+ community, the importance of health care providers who are sensitive to the needs of these individuals, why LGBTQ pride should be celebrated year round, and empowering the community to always feel safe.

Rutgers School of Public Health

Continuing with our Pride Month podcast series, in this episode we speak with Perry Halkitis, PhD, MS, MPH, dean of the Rutgers School of Public Health, and James F. Dougherty, VMD, MS, current member of Rutgers' Board of Governors.

Fighting for the Future of LGBTQ Pride at Rutgers

On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with Kristine Ashcraft, the president and founder of 

, a tool that helps to predict adverse drug events and personalize patient care.

We discuss the lack of awareness of genetic variants among patients and the recent adoption of biomarker testing legislation in some states. This legislation will increase biomarker testing access, which will help providers to distribute the proper treatments to more patients based on identified genetic variants.

On this episode of Managed Care Cast, Kristine Ashcraft, president and founder of YouScript, explains the importance of biomarker testing to distribute proper treatments to patients and minimize adverse events. 

Exploring the Importance of Biomarker Testing to Identify Genetic Variants, Correct Treatments

New studies reveal unmet health care needs and racial disparities, while experts share insight on addressing food insecurity and the shifting health policy landscape. 

Health Equity & Access Weekly Roundup: May 12, 2025

The move would align prescription costs in the US with the costs of other countries, according to the administration.

Trump Executive Order Could Reduce Pharmaceutical Costs by 59%

Antoine Keller, MD, argued the value of grounding health care policy in equity as clinicians prepare for a changing health care landscape in the coming years. 

Striving for Health Equity: Antoine Keller, MD

Dr Mingyang Song, AACR Annual Meeting, ultraprocessed foods, nutrition

Strategies to Reduce Risks of Ultraprocessed Foods: Mingyang Song, MBBS, ScD

American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2025

, Mingyang Song, MBBS, ScD, associate professor of clinical epidemiology and nutrition at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, shares strategies for mitigating the risks of ultraprocessed foods and highlights areas for future research and policy initiatives.

 to learn more about the link between ultraprocessed foods and cancer risk.

This transcript has been lightly edited; captions were auto-generated.

What steps can individuals take to mitigate the risks associated with ultraprocessed foods?

The evidence is still emerging regarding how ultraprocessed food may influence cancer risk, but, based on the evidence so far, I think one recommendation we can make is for individuals to try to reduce their consumption of ultraprocessed food and try to choose whole foods or fresh foods for their daily diet. 

As I mentioned earlier, ultraprocessed foods have very different nutrient profiles and also have many food additives that can cause problems. I think it's wise for individuals to try to reduce, not completely eliminate, ultraprocessed foods from their diet.

Looking ahead, what research or policy efforts show the most promise in reducing diet-related cancer risks?

On the research side, for ultraprocessed food, we definitely need more research. One of the major future research directions is to improve the quantification and classification of ultraprocessed foods. 

There are so many different foods included in this general ultraprocessed food category. They can have very diverse nutrient profiles. For example, whole grains are also considered ultraprocessed foods, but there has been very convincing evidence suggesting that whole grains are indeed beneficial for cancer. We need a better classification system to better quantify and classify the ultraprocessed food with varying qualities. 

Given the limited evidence, we couldn't really draw any strong policy implications. For dietary exposure in general, so far, probably the most effective policy change is tax. 

There have been some countries adopting the tax on sugar-sweetened beverages, which has been shown to reduce cardiometabolic diseases and also to improve the general metabolic health in the population. I think that that's one direction that future research may help inform.

Videos

Mingyang Song, MBBS, ScD, expands upon the link between ultraprocessed foods and cancer risks, emphasizing the need for better dietary choices and further research.

Conference

O'Brien discusses the relationship between patient access and government policy

Communication the key to helping understand the relationship between government policies

John Michael O'Brien, PharmD, MPH, president and CEO of the National Pharmaceutical Council (NPC), discussed how continued communication across sectors is vital in helping to understand the relationship between patient access to treatment and government policy.

Improving relationships between pharmaceutical makers, health systems, patients, and insurers can help to lower the price of health care for patients, according to John Michael O'Brien, PharmD, MPH.

Policy

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