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What We’re Reading: Telehealth Debate; STD Rise Among Older Adults; PFAS Limits in Water
Lawmakers are under pressure to decide the fate of COVID-era telehealth payment changes; the CDC reports an alarming increase in sexually transmitted disease (STD) cases among Americans 55 years and older; new regulations aim to reduce harmful exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals.”
Congressional Debate on Telehealth Services Intensifies as Deadline Looms
As the year-end deadline approaches for telehealth-related COVID-era payment changes, federal lawmakers are grappling with crucial decisions regarding the future of these services, including coverage under Medicare and other insurance plans, according to Kaiser Health News. The outcome of these deliberations will have a significant impact on access to virtual health care, particularly for rural and underserved communities. Despite bipartisan support for telehealth, the looming presidential election and legislative deadlines add complexity to the process, raising concerns about potential delays in finalizing critical policies.
Surprising Rise in STD Rates Among Older Americans Sparks Concern
Recent data from the CDC reveal a startling trend: Sexually transmitted disease (STD) rates are on the rise among Americans 55 years and older, according to Fox News. Chlamydia, syphilis, hepatitis C, and gonorrhea are among the diseases affecting this age group at an alarming rate. The statistics, spanning from 2012 to 2022, highlight a significant surge in reported cases vs previous years. Experts attribute the rise in cases to factors such as inadequate sex education during the individuals’ youth, potentially leaving them ill-equipped to protect themselves later in life.
Biden Administration Introduces Landmark National PFAS Limit for Safe Drinking Water
The Biden administration has finalized the first national standard to regulate per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as “forever chemicals,” in drinking water, according to CNN. These chemicals, linked to various health issues, have been found in nearly half of the water supply in the US. The new rule mandates that water utilities filter 5 specific types of PFAS, setting legally enforceable limits to mitigate health risks. However, critics raise concerns about the financial burden on water systems and question the underlying science behind the standards.
Symptom Documentation Differences in Acute Cancer Care Suggest Sociodemographic Disparities
April 22nd 2025Researchers are calling for more targeted efforts to improve health equity after a new analysis revealed that cancer symptom documentation and burden vary across certain demographics.
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New Research Challenges Assumptions About Hospital-Physician Integration, Medicare Patient Mix
April 22nd 2025On this episode of Managed Care Cast, Brady Post, PhD, lead author of a study published in the April 2025 issue of The American Journal of Managed Care®, challenges the claim that hospital-employed physicians serve a more complex patient mix.
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Personalized Care Key as Tirzepatide Use Expands Rapidly
April 15th 2025Using commercial insurance claims data and the US launch of tirzepatide as their dividing point, John Ostrominski, MD, Harvard Medical School, and his team studied trends in the use of both glucose-lowering and weight-lowering medications, comparing outcomes between adults with and without type 2 diabetes.
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