- Center on Health Equity & Access
- Clinical
- Health Care Cost
- Health Care Delivery
- Insurance
- Policy
- Technology
- Value-Based Care
What We’re Reading: Drug Inflation Penalties; $280B COVID-19 Relief Fraud; Brain Tumor Vaccine
The Biden administration will impose drug price inflation penalties on drugmakers; a study reveals massive amounts of COVID-19 relief funds were stolen; experimental vaccine nearly doubles survival in patients in a trial.
Biden to Impose Penalties on Drugmaker Price Hikes
The Biden administration has announced that it will impose inflation penalties on 43 drugs in the third quarter of 2023, according to Reuters. The price of these drugs had increased by more than the rate of inflation. This move aims to lower costs for older Americans by up to $449 per dose. Drugmakers, such as AbbVie, which increased the prices of its drugs beyond the rate of inflation will be required to pay the difference to Medicare. The administration had fined 27 drugs earlier in the year.
Billions Stolen in COVID-19 Relief Funds
A recent analysis suggests fraudsters potentially stole more than $280 billion, with an additional $123 billion which was wasted or misspent in COVID-19 relief funds in the United States, according to The Associated Press. The study shows how extensive fraud and mismanagement occurred as a result of inadequate oversight and minimal restrictions on applicants during the early stages of the pandemic. Furthermore, the stolen funds and wastage accounted for approximately 10% of the $4.2 trillion disbursed in COVID-19 relief aid.
Experimental Vaccine Shows Promise in Delaying Progression of Deadly Brain Cancer
An experimental vaccine called SurVaxM has shown promise in delaying the progression of glioblastoma, the deadliest form of brain cancer, according to NBC News. The vaccine targets a protein called survivin found in tumors, aiming to eliminate cancer cells and prevent tumor recurrence. A new trial is expected to be conducted across more than 10 clinical sites in the United States, as well as China, and will compare this shot to patients receiving standard care.
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.
Read More
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.
Listen
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.
Read More
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.
Listen
