Survey highlights widespread opposition to Alabama's law restricting in vitro fertilization (IVF) access; investigation focuses on potential anticompetitive practices; Medicare weighs options for implementing a new program to deliver healthy meals to seniors with chronic conditions.
Majority Disagrees With Alabama IVF Ruling
A recent survey revealed that most Americans oppose the Alabama Supreme Court's controversial in vitro fertilization (IVF) ruling, holding people legally responsible for destroying genetic material, according to The Hill. The findings underscore widespread disagreement with the law's implications for reproductive rights and access to assisted reproductive technologies. Critics argue that such restrictions undermine individual autonomy and perpetuate inequality in accessing reproductive health care.
DOJ Launches Antitrust Probe into UnitedHealth's Dominance
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has initiated an antitrust investigation into UnitedHealth, probing its extensive presence in health care, including insurance, drug benefits, and physician groups, according to The Wall Street Journal. Investigators are scrutinizing relationships between UnitedHealthcare and Optum, questioning potential anticompetitive effects on rivals and consumers. The inquiry reflects a broader effort by the Biden administration to curb monopolistic practices in the health care industry and ensure fair competition for consumers and providers alike.
Medicare Explores Food as Medicine Initiative to Enhance Health Care
With around 12% of traditional Medicare beneficiaries suffering from heart failure and a quarter grappling with diabetes, the prospect of delivering premade healthy meals to sick senior citizens has gained attention, according to Stat. Although some urge immediate action, others advocate for a congressional directive, highlighting the complexities and challenges of integrating such a program into traditional health care. Medicare officials are currently weighing various options, considering potential benefits and constraints of the program.
CMS' 340B Repayment Proposal May Harm Vulnerable Hospitals, Reward Those With Higher Revenues
April 26th 2024The 340B hospitals not receiving an offsetting lump-sum payment from CMS following 2018-2022 cuts later ruled unlawful are disproportionately rural, publicly owned, and nonacademic, according to a new study.
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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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Kaiser Permanente was hit by a data breach in mid-April, impacting 13.4 million health plan members; GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) sued Pfizer and BioNTech for allegedly infringing on its messenger RNA technology patents in the companies’ COVID-19 vaccines; the CDC announced the first-known HIV cases transmitted via cosmetic injections.
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Navigating Health Policy in an Election Year: Insights From Dr Dennis Scanlon
April 2nd 2024On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with Dennis Scanlon, PhD, the editor in chief of The American Journal of Accountable Care®, about prior authorization, price transparency, the impact of health policy on the upcoming election, and more.
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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 worsening. 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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