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What We’re Reading: CDC Malaria Warning; NC Abortion Restrictions; Ascension Nurse Strike
Four people in Florida and 1 person in Texas were exposed to malaria; late revisions could counter a pending lawsuit to end abortion restrictions; about 2000 nurses in Texas and Kansas plan to strike.
CDC Issues Warning About Locally Acquired Malaria
The CDC has issued a warning to doctors and public health officials following a small number of locally acquired malaria cases in Florida and Texas, according to CNN. This is the first time in 20 years that malaria has been caught locally in the United States. While the risk of malaria remains low, the CDC advises doctors to be vigilant in recognizing symptoms and providing prompt treatment, especially in the affected regions.
Abortion Ban Revisions Approved by North Carolina Senate
Late revisions to North Carolina's abortion restrictions, scheduled to begin this weekend, have been approved by the state Senate, according to The Associated Press. The changes aim to ban most abortions after 12 weeks of pregnancy, which would replace the current laws that ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy. The revisions will now proceed to a final House vote before reaching the desk of Democratic Governor Roy Cooper.
Ascension Nurse Strike Expected to Be Largest in Texas, Kansas History
This morning, around 2000 registered nurses at Ascension hospitals in Texas and Kansas are planning a 1-day strike to protest staffing issues and demand better working conditions, according to Fierce Healthcare. The strike, which is expected to be the largest among nurses in Texas and Kansas history, follows complaints that Ascension is understaffing its facilities. Ascension, a major Catholic health system, has stated that the hospitals will remain open and will use a staffing agency to ensure uninterrupted patient care during the strike.
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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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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