AJMC Staff

What we're reading, August 5, 2016: judge assigned to Anthem-Cigna and Aetna-Humana cases said he would likely only rule on one by the end of 2016; aversion to late-term abortion plummets when Zika infection is a factor; and the National Institutes of Health proposes lifting ban on research funds for human-animal stem cell research.

What we're reading, August 4, 2016: a new startup is aiming to move clinical trial data to the cloud; Aetna is informing physicians about the opioid prescribing habits; and Florida deploys a mosquito control team to combat Zika virus.

Foundation Medicine’s comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) assay has been submitted by the company for FDA review as well as for a CMS review in parallel.

What we're reading, August 3, 2016: Medicare penalties for hospital readmissions reach a new high; the importance of down-ballot races this election; and Virginia's Bureau of Insurance comes out against the Anthem-Cigna merger.

Adrenal gland tumors that are defined as being nonfunctional may not really be so, and the hormones that these tumors secrete could increase an individual’s risk of cardiometabolic irregularities, according to a new study.

What we're reading, August 2, 2016: co-ops in New Mexico and Massachusetts sue the government over the risk-adjustment formula and why hospital ratings should be viewed with a bit of skepticism.

What we're reading, August 1, 2016: proponents of Colorado's proposed state universal healthcare want Bernie Sanders' help; thousands need new health coverage in Ohio and Connecticut; and the trouble with getting a patient off a prescription.

The work with mice models revealed how the functioning of a key receptor affects the body's ability to burn fat.

What we're reading, July 29, 2016: a trans-Atlantic partnership has been formed to fight superbugs; the FDA halted blood collections in 2 Florida counties over Zika fears; and investigation confirms Zika cases in Florida were from local mosquitoes.

The study examined records for more than 124,000 people with type 2 diabetes over a 7-year period.

What we're reading, July 28, 2016: CMS released first hospital quality ratings; Anthem is prepared to fight the government over Cigna purchase; and regulations are falling behind stem cell clinics.

What we're reading, July 27, 2016: UnitedHealth and Aetna are looking to join California's Medicaid program; the World Health Organization is considering removing transgender identity from list of mental disorders; and medical schools rethink how to treat addiction.

What we're reading, July 26, 2016: revenues from Gilead's hepatitis C drugs continue to fall; Arizona's plan to unfreeze enrollment in CHIP has been approved; and Colombia declares an end to the Zika virus epidemic.

The study confirmed a suspicion that not all beta cells are equal in regulating insulin secretion.

Michael Kolodziej, MD, has joined Flatiron Health as national medical director, Managed Care Strategy.

What We’re Reading, July 25, 2016: Keeping dementia at bay in the elderly; PhRMA spends more and insurers spend less on lobbying, so far in 2016; and a record-breaking fraud case in Florida.

Pence's record on Medicaid expansion and an HIV outbreak are getting national attention now that he is nominated for vice president.

Highlights of coverage of our peer-reviewed research in the healthcare and mainstream press.

Experts say Covered California is making up for coverage that was underpriced the last 2 years, and Maryland Medicaid officials create an uproar by changing the preferred opioid addiction treatment.

The transactions were announced a year ago right after a Supreme Court decision that left subsidies for the federal health exchange intact.

An expert asks whether we'll hear more on the Republican nominee's healthcare plans, and a study shows obese kids benefit from eating less sugar.

The tool will let pump users get updates of new features in between replacement of their hardware.

Also, the share of employers funding wellness programs has passed the 50% mark, but not all employees use them.

What We’re Reading, July 15, 2016: What can the 7 remaining co-ops do to survive; CMS projects increased Medicare spending per enrollee by 2025; and experts call for policy changes to support the health of prisoners at high risk for HIV.

Researchers found health benefits even for those who started cycling close to retirement.

What We’re Reading, July 14, 2016: Inaccurate provider directories in California health plans; atehnahealth survey identifies low physician engagement; and opioid addiction bill will soon be law.

What We’re Reading, July 13, 2016: Humira faces competition from a biosimilar; Washington, DC, campaigns to raise awareness on anti-HIV PrEP pills; and veterans may have been incorrectly diagnosed for traumatic brain injury...or not.

Researchers assessed balugrastim’s efficacy, safety, and tolerability in 4 different clinical trials and found it to be a suitable alternative to pegfilgrastim in regard to reducing the mean duration of severe neutropenia.

What We're Reading, July 12, 2016: Oregon's Health CO-OP to close down by the end of July; experts discuss fairer ways to decide on drug pricing; and gender bias in physician salaries at academic institutions.

What We're Reading, July 11, 2016: US lawmakers who signed letters opposing the Medicare Part B demonstration received bigger monetary support from Big Pharma; e-cigarettes could push adolescents toward smoking cigarettes; and Hillary Clinton says she supports lowering Medicare enrollment age.