Bipartisan Support Expected for PDUFA
Most attention has been focused on the House GOP’s Obamacare repeal bill and the legislation being drafted now in the Senate, but there are other big healthcare bills that need to be voted on. According to Reuters, the bill to reauthorize the Prescription Drug User Fee Act is expected to be approved with bipartisan support. The bill, which has to be renegotiated every 5 years, hammers out the details of how much money the FDA collects from drug makers and medical device companies in order to review new products. Currently, industry pays roughly 60% of the cost of the reviews, while taxpayers fund the rest.
Majority of Americans Exercise Enough
For the first time, more than half of Americans are getting the recommended amount of leisurely physical activity. A decade ago, the share of Americans exercising enough was much lower, hovering around 40%. Adults are recommended to get either 150 minutes of moderate movement or 75 minutes of intense exercise every week. However, despite the increase in exercise, metabolic diseases, which are tied to low levels of physical activity, have not declined.
Cutting Out Wasteful Medical Tests
Although it is well known that needless medical tests create unnecessary costs for the healthcare system, trimming the waste isn’t easy. A new article from Kaiser Health News highlights the struggle of changing behavior to save money and lives. In California, the 3 biggest healthcare purchasers are working together to reduce unnecessary tests, and although progress has been slow, unnecessary lab tests have been reduced by 10% simply through educating doctors and patients about overuse. The ABIM Foundation, which launched the Choosing Wisely campaign, expects that massive changes could take as long as 15 years.
Mental Health Diagnoses, Care Challenges Rise Among US Youth, Report Finds
April 26th 2024While behavioral health care utilization has been rising, the treatment landscape has been falling. New findings show that 20% of youths did not receive any form of treatment within 3 months of their initial behavioral health diagnosis.
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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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Males With Hemophilia A Report Physical, Mental Burdens of Disease Regardless of Severity
April 25th 2024Self-reported data from adult and pediatric males with hemophilia A show that burden of the disease persists regardless of severity, highlighting a need for improved prophylactic treatment.
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Insurance Coverage Limits JAKi Therapy Access for Patients With AA, Especially Non-White Populations
April 25th 2024A survey study showed major barriers to Janus kinase inhibitor (JAKi) therapy for patients with alopecia areata, especially for non-White patients who face higher rates of being uninsured and struggle more to afford the treatment.
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