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What We’re Reading: IVF Bill Blocked; Ransomware Outage Continues; CDC Recommends Seniors Get COVID-19 Booster
Blockage of proposed bill that would protect in vitro fertilization (IVF) reignites debate over reproductive rights and health care access; ransomware attack leaves patients and providers stranded; people 65 years and older should get an additional booster for the COVID-19 vaccine, CDC says.
Senate Republicans Block Bill to Protect Access to IVF Treatment
A new bill that would have ensured access to in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment was blocked in the Senate, reigniting a contentious debate over reproductive rights and health care access, according to The New York Times. On Wednesday, a Republican senator blocked quick passage of a bill that would give federal protections for IVF and other fertility treatments after the ruling by the Alabama Supreme Court that frozen embryos should be considered children. As discussions unfold, both sides are gearing up for a potentially heated battle over the future of reproductive health care policy in the US this election season.
Health Care Providers Hit by Frozen Payments in Ransomware Outage
Health care providers and facilities continue to feel the impacts of a ransomware attack that has paralyzed payment systems and caused widespread disruption, according to Reuters. The cyberattack on Change Healthcare, a unit of UnitedHealth Group, sheds light on the vulnerability of critical infrastructure and raises concerns about the safety and security of sensitive patient data and health care transactions. Authorities are working to restore services while urging heightened cybersecurity measures to prevent future incidents.
CDC Panel Recommends COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters for Seniors
The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has recommended COVID-19 vaccine booster shots for specific groups, including individuals 65 years and older, according to CNN. This decision comes amid concerns over waning immunity and the threat of new variants. Under the new recommendation, individuals 65 years and older can receive an additional dose of any updated COVID-19 vaccine at least 4 months after the previous shot.
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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