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What We’re Reading: Office of Pandemic Preparedness; CDC Warns of Triple Threat; e-Cigarette Use in Young Adults
Major General Paul Friedrichs, MD, appointed to head the new Office of Pandemic Preparedness; CDC advises the public about the potential resurgence of respiratory viruses in the fall and winter; concerns grow over appeal of e-cigarettes to young adults.
White House Launches Office of Pandemic Preparedness, Led by Former Military Surgeon
The White House has established the Office of Pandemic Preparedness and Response Policy, led by Paul Friedrichs, MD, a retired Air Force major general and military combat surgeon who played a key role in the Pentagon's COVID-19 response, according to Reuters. The new office will take over the responsibilities of President Joe Biden's existing COVID-19 and mpox response teams and will be tasked with coordinating actions to prepare for and respond to potential pandemics and other biological threats.
CDC Director Urges Preparedness for Triple Threat
Mandy Cohen, MD, director of the CDC, warned of the potential triple threat of COVID-19, flu, and respiratory syncytial virus during the upcoming winter season, according to NBC News. The emergence of the Omicron XBB EG.5 variant of SARS-CoV-2 adds to concerns, although there is no evidence of increased severity or vaccine resistance so far. Health officials anticipate challenges in administering 3 different vaccines and urge the public to understand and protect against the resurgence of respiratory viruses.
Over 10% of Young Adults Regularly Use e-Cigarettes, CDC Report Finds
A new CDC report reveals that over 1 in 10 young adults in the United States regularly use e-cigarettes, with usage declining as family income increases, according to CNN. Furthermore, young adults between 18 and 24 years reported the highest rates of e-cigarette use. Concerns are raised about the appeal of these products to nonsmokers, particularly young people, prompting calls for further research on the long-term health effects of e-cigarettes.
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.
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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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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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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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