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What We’re Reading: Panel Endorses Moderna Booster; Texas Abortion Law to Stand; Califf Considered for FDA Head
An independent FDA advisory panel endorses Moderna boosters for select groups; circuit court lets Texas abortion law stand, paving the way for appeals; Robert Califf, MD, is reportedly being eyed to head the FDA again.
Moderna Booster Shots Endorsed
An FDA advisory panel unanimously endorsed Moderna’s COVID-19 booster shot for the same groups for whom the Pfizer booster is currently authorized, STAT News reports. Specifically, the panel voted in favor of administering the shot to those 65 and older, those aged 18 to 64 with risk factors for more severe COVID-19, and those whose professions put them at high risk of contracting COVID-19. The experts recommended boosters be administered to these groups at least 6 months following their second dose, and they conceded it is too early to determine when the shots will become available to the general public. Experts will deliberate on booster data from Johnson & Johnson today.
Circuit Court Lets Texas Abortion Law Stand
In a 2-1 ruling, the 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals allowed Texas’ restrictive and controversial abortion law to remain in place, following a series of prior challenges, The Hill reports. The latest ruling will allow the law to stand as it works its way through the courts. Texas’ ban constitutes the strictest in the nation as it prohibits any abortion after the detection of fetal cardiac activity, usually around 6 weeks and before many women know they are pregnant. The decision is expected to be appealed to the Supreme Court, and the current decision marks the third time in October the appeals court has sided with Texas to keep the law in place.
Biden Looks to Fill FDA Commissioner Role
The Biden administration is considering FDA veteran Robert Califf, MD, to lead the agency, POLITICO reports. Califf previously served as commissioner during the Obama administration. The agency, which has played a critical role in the nation’s COVID-19 response, has been without a permanent leader since January, as acting commissioner Janet Woodcock, MD, has been filling in. Califf currently works for the Duke Clinical Research Institute and in 2019 began leading health policy at Alphabet, Google’s parent company. During his 2016 confirmation process, concerns were brought up regarding Califf’s close industry ties.
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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For Neuromuscular Disease Community, an Era of Opportunities and Threats
March 17th 2025Robert Califf, MD, former commissioner of the FDA, delivered a keynote address at the 2025 Muscular Dystrophy Association Clinical & Scientific Conference that highlighted the enormous opportunities for progress in neuromuscular disease care amid a changing policy environment.
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The Impact of Cost Sharing on High-Value Care
March 14th 2025Michael Chernew, PhD, professor of health care policy and director of the Healthcare Markets and Regulation Lab, Harvard Medical School, shares how cost-sharing policies shape access to critical health care services and influence value-based insurance design.
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Oz Confirmation Hearing Probes Vision for Medicaid but Coalesces Around Well-Being
March 14th 2025Mehmet Oz, MD, the nominee to lead CMS under the Trump administration, testified in a confirmation hearing before the Senate Finance Committee, where he found common ground on improving outcomes through healthier lifestyle choices but encountered repeated questions on potential Medicaid cuts.
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