Report Links Population Health to Economic Performance
The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association has released its second annual edition of a Moody’s Analytics report that finds a direct link between population health and economic growth. Moody’s pairs economic data with the Blue Cross Blue Shield Health Index, a county-level measurement of conditions with the greatest effect on those with commercially insured. The report’s most direct connection between health and the economy is that healthier workers are more productive, miss fewer days of work, and are stronger physically and mentally.
Senators Demand Info on Probe of Price’s Stock Trades
Questions about HHS Secretary Tom Price, MD, and his stock trades aren’t going away. Kaiser Health News reports that 7 senators—6 Democrats plus independent Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont—sent a letter Wednesday to Attorney General Jeff Sessions asking what he knows about an investigation into Price’s trades that may have started before former US Attorney Preet Bharara was dismissed from New York’s Southern District. During Price’s confirmation hearings, the former Georgia congressman was questioned about trades in healthcare, medical device, and pharmaceutical stocks he made while serving on the House health committee.
Massachusetts Panel Sets Tight Healthcare Spending Cap
Massachusetts will try to limit healthcare spending increases to 3.1% in 2018, below this year’s target of 3.6%, following a vote Wednesday by its Health Policy Commission. The rate is triggered by a 2012 law designed to keep healthcare spending in line with the rest of the economy. However, WBUR in Boston reports that spending in 2014 and 2015 exceeded caps, and actual 2016 spending figures aren’t in yet. The Massachusetts Medical Society, which represents doctors, thinks the tighter cap is a bad idea. Overall US healthcare spending has been increasing by about 5% a year.
Examining Low-Value Cancer Care Trends Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic
April 25th 2024On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with the authors of a study published in the April 2024 issue of The American Journal of Managed Care® about their findings on the rates of low-value cancer care services throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Empowering Community Health Through Wellness and Faith
April 23rd 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. In the third episode, Camille Clarke-Smith, EdD, MS, CHES, CPT, discusses approaching community health holistically through spiritual and community engagement.
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What We’re Reading: FDA Approves UTI Antibiotic; Ozempic, Wegovy Price Investigation; US Births Fall
April 25th 2024The FDA recently approved an antibiotic for the treatment of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women; a Senate committee recently launched an investigation into the prices of Novo Nordisk’s diabetes and weight loss drugs; US births fell last year, resuming a national slide after a previous increase during the pandemic.
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HOPE-CAT Can Identify Maternal Cardiovascular Risk 2 Months Earlier Than Doctors, Study Says
April 25th 2024In a retrospective study, the machine learning tool was able to screen for potential risks of cardiovascular disease nearly 60 days before the patient's medical record showed any signs of a related condition or before they were officially diagnosed or treated for it.
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