Kentucky’s Medical Marijuana Ban Gets Challenged
A lawsuit is challenging Kentucky’s criminal ban against medical marijuana. The lawsuit claims that medical marijuana is a viable alternative to ease health problems, including opioid addiction, and that the ban violates privacy protections. With Kentucky struggling with the country’s third-highest death rate from opioid overdoses, medical marijuana could provide a solution and reduce hospital admissions. More than half the country (29 states and the District of Columbia) allows medical use of marijuana.
Nevada on Cusp of Offering Medicaid for All
If Nevada’s Republican governor does not act by Friday, a bill that passed the state legislature allowing everyone to buy into Medicaid would become law. According to NPR, if the bill becomes law, it will be the first of its kind. The bill allows anyone to buy into Medicaid, which state lawmakers expect will result in cheaper health insurance options for Nevadans. The bill’s sponsor estimates that 300,000 Nevadans may enroll if Medicaid expansion is rolled back under a Republican healthcare reform bill at the federal level.
VA Is Facing a Surprise Budget Gap
A program that allows veterans to access private-sector care is running out of money sooner than expected. According to the AP, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has requested that it be allowed to fill the gap by shifting money from other programs. The VA secretary attributed the shortfall to increased demand from veterans—initially the VA thought the funding for the program would last through the end of 2017. To slow spending for the program, the VA told medical centers to limit the number of veterans sent to private doctors.
Real-World Study Reveals Key Insights into DLBCL Treatment Patterns, Outcomes
April 18th 2024A recent study offers valuable insights into the characteristics, treatment patterns, and outcomes of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in patients across different lines of therapy, providing a look into the landscape of DLBCL management.
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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.
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Gene, Light Therapy Combo Shows Promise Against Prostate Cancer Cells in Proof-of-Concept Study
April 18th 2024In their preclinical model, the researchers found efficacy both in vitro and in vivo by using CRISPR-Cas9 to mimic porphyria and combining the technology with light therapy.
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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.
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Collecting SDOH Data Can Assess Risk of Medical Nonadherence, Improve HEI and Star Ratings
April 18th 2024At the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) 2024 annual meeting, a panel of presenters explored changes coming to Medicare that incorporate social determinants of health (SDOH) data to improve patient and health system outcomes.
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