Five issues in healthcare were spotlighted as key developments to watch; FDA to ban all e-cig vape flavors except for menthol and tobacco; Google AI system shown to improve detection of breast cancer through mammograms.
In an article published by The Hill, 5 key issues relating to healthcare warrant extensive monitoring: drug pricing, surprise billing, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Medicare for All, and vaping. All topics have become talking points throughout 2019, with drug prices and surprise medical bills serving as the focus of bipartisan talk but no major reforms have been initiated yet. The ACA is also a trending topic with the end of the past year seeing the law deemed unconstitutional by a federal appeals court. The FDA plans to ban all e-cigarette vaping flavors except for tobacco and menthol, according to The Wall Street Journal. The ban seeks to impede the teen vaping epidemic, with fruity vaping flavors such as bubble gum shown to attract teenagers and consequently lead to nicotine addiction. The ban will also exclude open-tank vaping devices, which allow users to mix their own nicotine liquids. The official announcement is expected to come tomorrow.A Google AI system was shown in a study to be as good as expert radiologists at detecting off mammograms which women had breast cancer and showed potential at reducing errors, according to Reuters. The study, published in the journal Nature, adds to research showing the promise of AI systems in reducing errors relating to diagnosing breast cancer, with radiologists shown to miss about 20% of breast cancers in mammograms.
Exploring the Potential of Machine Learning in Optimizing Respiratory Failure Treatment
August 9th 2025Machine learning holds promise for optimizing treatment strategies and potentially improving outcomes in respiratory failure but future research and development are necessary to fully realize its potential in clinical practice.
Read More
Chronic Respiratory Diseases Linked to Other Noncommunicable Diseases in Vulnerable Countries
August 4th 2025Despite their devastating global impact, chronic respiratory diseases remain a hidden threat in low- and middle-income countries, often going undiagnosed in adults who are already battling other noncommunicable diseases.
Read More
Exploring Racial, Ethnic Disparities in Cancer Care Prior Authorization Decisions
October 24th 2024On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with the author of a study published in the October 2024 issue of The American Journal of Managed Care® that explored prior authorization decisions in cancer care by race and ethnicity for commercially insured patients.
Listen
Legal Navigation Services Key to Addressing Disparities in Cancer Care
July 31st 2025A significant number of patients with cancer, caregivers, and health care professionals face significant disparities in legal issues, with the most common needs revolving around health insurance, finances, employment, and disability insurance.
Read More