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What We're Reading: Protections for Pre-existing Conditions; Shareholders Approve Cigna–Express Scripts Deal; Aspirin and CV Risk
GOP senators have introduced legislation they say would protect provisions for preexisting conditions under the Affordable Care Act; Cigna shareholders have voted in favor of the acquisition of pharmacy benefit manager Express Scripts; and study results show that aspirin does not lower cardiovascular (CV) risk in the long-term.
GOP Senators Introduce Bill to Protect Preexisting Conditions
GOP senators have introduced legislation that they say would preserve provisions for people with preexisting conditions under the Affordable Care Act, reported The Hill. The senators said their bill would amend federal law to guarantee access to health insurance for all Americans, including those with preexisting conditions. The legislation would also prevent insurers from increasing premiums for individuals with preexisting conditions. However, critics say the bill would allow insurers to exclude coverage of preexisting conditions.
Shareholders Approve Cigna—Express Scripts Deal
Cigna shareholders have approved the proposed $52 billion acquisition of pharmacy benefit manager Express Scripts. According to Reuters, 90% of shareholders voted in favor of the merger, which is expected to close by the end of 2018. The approval follows Carl Icahn’s attempt to sway shareholders against the deal.
Aspirin Does Not Lower CV Risk in Long-Term
According to study results coming out of the Aspirin to Reduce Risk of Initial Vascular Events trial, a daily dose of 100 mg of aspirin was not associated with a reduction in long-term risk for cardiovascular (CV) or cerebrovascular events. The trial randomly assigned over 12,000 nondiabetic adults with multiple CV risk factors but no history of CV events, reported Medscape.
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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What It Takes to Improve Guideline-Based Heart Failure Care With Ty J. Gluckman, MD
August 5th 2025Explore innovative strategies to enhance heart failure treatment through guideline-directed medical therapy, remote monitoring, and artificial intelligence–driven solutions for better patient outcomes.
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Roflumilast Cream 0.05% Durable, Safe for Younger Pediatric Patients
August 15th 2025The INTEGUMENT-OLE study is an open-label extension analysis that followed a primary investigation from the phase 3 INTEGUMENT-PED trial, which investigated the efficacy and safety of once-daily roflumilast cream 0.05% for atopic dermatitis in children aged 2 to 5 years.
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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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Polypharmacy Common in Rheumatoid Arthritis, Driving Risk of Serious Drug Interactions
August 13th 2025More than 8 in 10 patients with rheumatoid arthritis were taking 5 or more medications at once, a practice linked to older age, multiple comorbidities, and more than 2000 potential drug-to-drug interactions.
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