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What We’re Reading: Billions Spent on Preventable COVID-19 Hospitalizations; US Seeks to Bar Texas Abortion Law; States Limit Public Health Officials
COVID-19 hospitalizations among the unvaccinated cost billions between June and August; the Department of Justice called for a temporary block on the Texas abortion law; legislators limited the power of public health officials in at least 26 states, a report shows.
COVID-19 Hospitalizations Among the Unvaccinated Cost Billions This Summer
Between June and August 2021, preventable COVID-19 hospitalizations among unvaccinated US adults cost over $5 billion, the Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker reported. An analysis of HHS and CDC data showed about 32,000 preventable COVID-19 hospitalizations among this group in June, 68,000 in July, and 187,000 in August, totaling 287,000 preventable hospitalizations in 3 months. Health System Tracker approximated an average cost of $20,000 per hospitalization and suggested $3.7 billion was spent in August alone.
Department of Justice Requests a Block on Texas Abortion Law
The Department of Justice (DOJ) called for a federal judge in Texas to temporarily block enforcement of the state's abortion law, NPR reported. DOJ attorneys claimed the law is unconstitutional, saying in court documents that a preliminary injunction "is necessary to protect the constitutional rights of women in Texas and the sovereign interest of the United States in ensuring that its States respect the terms of the national compact.” This request for a block comes nearly a week after the DOJ filed a lawsuit against the state of Texas.
Public Health Officials Lose Authority to Prevent Spread of COVID-19 in at Least 26 States
Republican legislators in at least 26 states stripped the authority of state and local officials to make decisions on COVID-19 protocols, Kaiser Health News reported. Legislators in at least 16 states limited the power of public health officials to order mask mandates and quarantines, with at least 9 states banning or limiting mask mandates. At least 17 states passed laws that ban COVID-19 vaccine mandates or make it easier to get around vaccine requirements. Some bills are still pending in states whose legislatures are still in session.
Opportunities and Obstacles Associated With the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program
October 3rd 2025This study describes the current opportunities and obstacles associated with Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program implementation from the novel perspective of program suppliers across the US.
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AI in Health Care: Balancing Governance, Innovation, and Trust
September 2nd 2025In this conversation with Reuben Daniel, associate vice president of artificial intelligence at UPMC Health Plan, we dive into how UPMC Health Plan builds trust with providers and members, discuss challenges of scaling AI effectively, and hear about concrete examples of AI's positive impact.
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Neonatology Pricing and Network Participation Under State Balance Billing Regulations
October 2nd 2025This national study of neonatology services found no clear evidence that state surprise billing regulations influenced prices or provider network participation for the commercially insured.
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Infertility Coverage Boosts ART Use and Pregnancy Success: Richard A. Brook, MS, MBA
August 26th 2025In this episode, Richard A. Brook, MS, MBA, discusses his study showing that infertility treatment coverage increases assisted reproductive technology (ART) use and improves pregnancy outcomes.
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Managed Care Reflections: A Q&A With Ge Bai, PhD, CPA
October 2nd 2025To mark the 30th anniversary of The American Journal of Managed Care, each issue in 2025 includes a special feature: reflections from a thought leader on what has changed—and what has not—over the past 3 decades and what’s next for managed care. The October issue features a conversation with Ge Bai, PhD, CPA, professor of accounting at Johns Hopkins Carey Business School and professor of health policy and management at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, Maryland.
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