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What We're Reading: Historic Increase to SNAP Benefits; Booster Shot Timeline; Record COVID-19 Hospitalizations in Children
The Biden administration announces the largest permanent increase in SNAP benefits history; a potential decision timeline on whether to offer COVID-19 booster shots to Americans may be on the horizon; children hospitalized with COVID-19 reaches a new record high.
Largest Permanent Increase in SNAP Benefits History to Be Made
The Biden administration is set to announce today revisions to the nutrition standards of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits program, formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, that will increase average benefits by more than 25% from prepandemic levels. Reported by The New York Times, all 42 million people enrolled in the program, or every 1 in 8 Americans, will receive additional aid, with average monthly benefits rising by $36 from $121 per person before the pandemic. This move marks the largest permanent increase in the program’s history
Decision on COVID-19 Booster Shots May Come in the Fall
As reported by The Associated Press, the director of the National Institutes of Health, Francis Collins, MD, PhD, said yesterday that the decision on whether to offer COVID-19 booster shots to Americans could come this fall. Following the FDA’s decision to authorize an extra Pfizer or Moderna vaccine dose for immunocompromised individuals, data from preliminary studies in Israel on the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine indicate that the vaccine’s protection against severe illness has diminished among those vaccinated in January. If expanded, the booster dose could go first to health care workers, nursing home residents, and other elderly people.
Record COVID-19 Hospitalization Rates Seen Among Children
The amount of US children hospitalized with COVID-19 reached a record high of 1902 this past Saturday, with children currently accounting for 2.4% of the nation’s COVID-19 hospitalizations. Reported by Reuters, record highs in the number of patients newly hospitalized witg COVID-19 were also observed last week in individuals aged 18 to 29, 30 to 39, and 40 to 49 years. Notably, one-fifth of COVID-19 hospitalizations are in Florida, whose governor, Ron DeSantis, issued a ban on mask mandates in schools and across the state.
Hospital Participation in Medicare ACOs: No Change in Admission Practices and Spending
August 19th 2025Hospital accountable care organization (ACO) participation did not impact emergency department admission rates, length of stay, or costs, suggesting limited effectiveness in reducing spending for unplanned admissions and challenging hospital-led ACO cost-saving strategies.
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PCPs Have Unique Opportunity to Detect, Manage CKD
August 14th 2025As the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) continues to rise, empowering primary care providers (PCPs) with the tools, training, and collaborative frameworks needed for optimal management is a public health priority, emphasize the researchers.
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Managed Care Reflections: A Q&A With Charles N. (Chip) Kahn III, MPH
July 30th 2025To mark the 30th anniversary of The American Journal of Managed Care (AJMC), 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 August issue features a conversation with Charles N. (Chip) Kahn III, MPH, the president and CEO of the Federation of American Hospitals and a longtime member of the AJMC editorial board.
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