Rising COVID-19 cases are attributed to travel, heatwaves, and new variants; an analysis highlights challenges in states not expanding Medicaid; the FDA notes health risks despite marketing authorization for popular e-cigarettes.
President Biden’s Positive COVID-19 Test Reflects Nationwide Summer Surge
President Joe Biden's recent positive COVID-19 test mirrors a growing wave of summer cases across the United States driven by increased travel, indoor gatherings due to extreme heat, and the emergence of new variants, according to NBC News. Despite the United States no longer tracking cases, CDC data suggests rising infections in 45 states. Experts emphasize the need to rethink vaccine timing, while those at risk, like Biden, are advised to consider antiviral treatments like Paxlovid.
Coverage Gap Leaves 1 in 5 Working-Age Adults in Non-Expansion States Without Affordable Health Insurance
Nearly 20% of uninsured working-age adults in the 10 states that have not expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act fall into a "coverage gap," earning too much for Medicaid but not enough for marketplace subsidies, according to Stateline. An analysis from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities revealed that this issue disproportionately affects people of color and contributes to broader community health crises. Some states, like Mississippi, are reconsidering Medicaid expansion to address this critical gap and access federal funds.
FDA Authorizes Sales of Tobacco-Flavored e-Cigarettes
The FDA has granted marketing authorization for six tobacco-flavored Vuse Alto e-cigarette products from R.J. Reynolds, recognizing a potential benefit for adult smokers switching from traditional cigarettes, according to The Hill. However, the agency underscores that this does not imply the products are safe or FDA approved and highlights the ongoing risks of tobacco use. Last year, the FDA banned other Vuse flavors due to youth popularity, and it continues to face scrutiny over its handling of e-cigarette regulations.
Varied Access: The Pharmacogenetic Testing Coverage Divide
February 18th 2025On 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.
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Robert F. Kennedy Jr Faces Senate Inquiry Over Deep Cuts to HHS Impacting FDA, CDC, NIH, CMS
April 2nd 2025A bipartisan letter from lawmakers questions the legality of Robert F. Kennedy Jr's HHS changes and the lack of clear communication regarding their potential impact on American health.
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How Recent Federal Policy Changes Are Shaping Managed Care Pharmacy
April 2nd 2025Federal legislative and regulatory changes are reshaping pharmacy practice, with key challenges in government funding, pharmacy benefit manager reform, and health care policy shifts—topics explored by experts at the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy's annual meeting.
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