Negotiations over reinsurance, cost sharing for insurers stall in Hyde Amendment dispute; drug policy experts say more money is needed if leaders want to combat opioids for real; Supreme Court hears free speech case on abortion clinics.
In a blow to insurers, negotiations to fund reinsurance and cost-sharing reductions in the omnibus spending bill stalled Monday night in a funding dispute over abortion known as the Hyde Amendment, Modern Healthcare reported. Two analyses have projected that that reinsurance could lower premiums by at least 40%. The spending bill may be the last chance to stabilize the insurance markets before rates are set for 2019. The Hyde Amendment has never been applied to the Affordable Care Act, which was passed 8 years ago this week.
There’s tough talk on opioids from both President Donald Trump and Congress this week, but policy experts say the talk has to be matched with money—say, about $10 billion a year, if the United States wants to get serious about fighting the crisis, Kaiser Health News reported. Trump gave a speech on the issue Monday, calling for the death penalty for dealers, and Congress will embark on a series of hearings this week. However, drug policy experts said more meaningful action is needed to fight the problem, which has cost an estimated $1 trillion in premature deaths, healthcare costs and lost wages since 2001.
The Supreme Court hears oral arguments today in the biggest abortion case of the year, Politico reported. The California case centers on free speech and is brought by
anti-abortion “crisis pregnancy centers” that argue that a 2015 state law requiring them to tell women about free and low-cost abortion options violates their First Amendment rights. The law also requires those centers that aren’t licensed to provide medical care to post that clearly. The state of California and abortion rights supporters say the law simply requires the centers to display a written notice about abortion access.
Standard Criteria for Loss of Ambulation Needed in DMD
April 19th 2024A recent study suggests the differences between ambulation definitions for patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) can impact the identification of ambulant vs nonambulant individuals, and standard criteria across settings are needed.
Read More
Overcoming Employment Barriers for Lasting Social Impact: Freedom House 2.0 and Pathways to Work
April 16th 2024To help celebrate and recognize National Minority Health Month, we are bringing you a special month-long podcast series with our Strategic Alliance Partner, UPMC Health Plan. Welcome to our second episode, in which we learn all about Freedom House 2.0 and the Pathways to Work program.
Listen
Early Involvement Critical in Treating Immunotherapy-Induced Overlap Syndrome
April 19th 2024A series of case studies reveals the importance of early diagnosis and involvement of special teams of clinicians when dealing with potential cases of overlap syndrome, which encompasses myocarditis, myasthenia gravis, and immune checkpoint inhibitor–related myositis.
Read More
Making Giant Strides in Maternity Health Through Baby Steps
April 9th 2024To help celebrate and recognize National Minority Health Month, we are kicking off a special month-long podcast series with our strategic alliance partner, UPMC Health Plan. Welcome to our first episode, which is all about the Baby Steps Maternity Program and its mission to support women throughout every step of their pregnancy journey.
Listen