Funding proposal includes gene therapies for sickle cell disease (SCD); draft legislation aims to address long COVID challenges; efforts are underway to prevent a summer surge.
Medicare Proposes Increased Hospital Funding for Sickle Cell Gene Therapies
CMS has proposed providing hospitals with an additional 75% of estimated costs for new gene therapies for sickle cell disease, surpassing the usual 65% add-on payment, according to Axios. This move aims to incentivize hospitals to offer these costly treatments, particularly benefiting lower-income patients covered by Medicaid. The proposal follows FDA approval of 2 sickle cell therapies in December (exagamglogene autotemcel and lovotibeglogene autotemcel) and includes a 2.6% increase in Medicare payments to hospitals for fiscal year 2025.
Sanders Proposes $1 Billion Long COVID Research Initiative
Senator Bernie Sanders (I, Vermont) has unveiled a draft proposal for long COVID moonshot legislation of $1 billion for research over the next decade, according to CIDRAP. Seeking input from stakeholders, the draft legislation also includes provisions for establishing a centralized research entity, clinical trials, databases, and ongoing education and support efforts. Researchers and advocates welcome the initiative as a crucial step toward addressing the challenges posed by long COVID.
Rise in Mpox Cases Sparks Concerns, Calls for Targeted Action
With a significant increase in mpox cases compared with the same period last year, health officials are urging targeted action to address the trend, according to The Hill. Concerns about inequitable access to immunization highlight the need for expanded vaccination efforts, especially within LGBTQ communities. Initiatives like the "Summer of Pride" aim to raise awareness and promote vaccination to prevent further spread of the disease.
Congress Urged to Repeal Comstock Act Threatening Reproductive Rights and Public Health
May 16th 2024In a joint letter addressed to Congress, Healthcare Across Borders, Take Back the Court Action Fund, and UltraViolet Action called out the resurgence of the Comstock Act, urging immediate action to repeal this century-old law that threatens reproductive rights and public health in the US.
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Frameworks for Advancing Health Equity: Urban Health Outreach
May 9th 2024In the series debut episode of "Frameworks for Advancing Health Equity," Mary Sligh, CRNP, and Chelsea Chappars, of Allegheny Health Network, explain how the Urban Health Outreach program aims to improve health equity for individuals experiencing homelessness.
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After the ACA Expanded Health Care Access, 2024 Elections May See Voters Demand Affordability
May 15th 2024At the spring conference of the New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute, speakers discussed how health policy, affordability, and transparency may play a role in voters’ decisions.
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Panel Addresses Minority Physician Shortage, Maternal Health at Senate Committee Hearing
May 15th 2024The senate hearing held by the US Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, led by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I, Vermont), chairman of the committee, and ranking member Sen. Bill Cassidy, MD, (R, Louisiana), addressed the critical issue of physician and health care worker shortages, as well as the maternal health crisis, in the US.
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