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What We’re Reading: DOJ Files Antitrust Lawsuit; CDC to Update Mask Guidance; EMA Supports Youth Boosters
A new lawsuit aims to block a $13 billion health insurance acquisition; the CDC is expected to release updated mask guidelines; the European Medicines Agency supports boosters among teenagers for COVID-19.
DOJ Aims to Stop Insurance Merger
The Department of Justice (DOJ) filed suit Thursday to block UnitedHealth Group’s acquisition of Change Healthcare, alleging the proposed $13 billion transaction would reduce competition in commercial health insurance markets. The complaint, which was filed in the US District Court for the District of Columbia, also claims the merger would harm competition in the market for technology used by health insurers to file claims and reduce health care costs. Should the deal go through, it will stifle innovation in employer health insurance markets, said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. United would also gain access to rival health insurers’ competitively sensitive information.
New Indoor Masking Guidance Expected
The CDC is expected to announce a change to indoor masking guidance as early as today, The Washington Post reports. Metrics such as hospital capacity and COVID-19 admissions will be weighed in the recommendations as opposed to just COVID-19 case counts, said individuals familiar with the plan. Numerous states have already announced plans to loosen indoor masking requirements in the coming month but have been pressing the agency to announce better guidelines to inform decisions. Currently, more than 96% of counties are considered substantial or high transmission for COVID-19, meaning CDC recommends indoor masking in these areas.
EMA Supports Teen Boosters
The European Medicine Agency (EMA) announced it supports booster doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for adolescents 12 and older, and Moderna’s vaccine for those aged 6 to 11, Reuters reports. However, recommendations need to be followed with final decisions from the European Commission. Several European countries, including Germany, already offer booster doses to teens. The Moderna vaccine is already approved for those aged 12 and older in Europe, while in the United States, Moderna’s vaccine is authorized only for those aged 18 and older.
Switching to Gene Therapy After Nusinersen or Risdiplam May Benefit Patients With SMA
August 15th 2025Children with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) showed motor function improvements after switching to onasemnogene abeparvovec following prior treatment with nusinersen or risdiplam in a real-world study.
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Care Quality Metrics in Medicare During COVID-19 Pandemic
August 12th 2025Medicare Advantage outperformed traditional Medicare on clinical quality measures before and during the COVID-19 pandemic; mid-pandemic, however, traditional Medicare narrowed the gap on some in-person screenings.
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