AJMC Staff

HHS updated guidance for states using Medicaid managed care to manage nonmedical needs; anxieties surrounding new variants rise amidst underreported COVID-19 cases in China, which defended its counts; public health campaigns try new strategies to increase trust and promote immunizations.

Dual-regimen abortion pills authorized for pharmacy sale by FDA; health professionals turn a critical eye to US concerns about COVID-19 in China while domestic cases rise here as vaccination rates drop; drug manufacturers are collectively raising prices early this month on medications from autoimmune treatments to shingles vaccines to cancer treatments.

The Chinese government warns of backlash for countries requiring COVID-19 testing of travelers from China; monoclonal antibody drugs show some promise against infectious diseases, but costs need to be lower; the role of FDA and Biogen in approving Alzheimer drug Aduhelm is detailed in a scathing Congressional committee report.

The top 5 pieces of content published on AJMC.com relating to reimbursement issues included 2 on the significance of a California law giving Medicare beneficiaries access to expert oncology care; other articles looked at the work involved in value-based care models and CMS news.

Throughout 2022, expert interviews on clinical topics covered cytogenetics in multiple myeloma, access to better treatments in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, and challenges with devices in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The top content published in The American Journal of Accountable Care® (AJAC) covered redesigning health care, value-based care, and novel payment models, like the ACO REACH model.

This study was prompted by recent findings that ultra-low IgE levels (IgE <2.5 kU/L) may be linked with a higher risk of cancers.

The 2022 European Hematology Association (EHA22) Congress convened June 9-12, 2022, in Vienna, Austria, and presented cutting-edge findings in hematology, including the potential of artificial intelligence, new treatment combinations in myelofibrosis, and more.

Lower US life expectancy attributed to COVID-19, drug overdoses; suggestions to mask up lack teeth even as respiratory illnesses and hospitalizations spike; emergency department (ED) doctors look to curb private equity investments in staffing firms.

In 2022, the most-read news about immuno-oncology included an FDA approval for liver cancer, research findings on other potential therapies for liver cancer, a Q&A with a COTA Healthcare executive about how real-world evidence has changed, new possibilities for patients with solid tumors, and more.

2022's most-read news about the pandemic included the impact of COVID-19 on patients with asthma, the Biden administration's plans to advance vaccination and other initiatives, information about when SARS-CoV-2 is at its most infectious, and more.

The new federal spending bill includes changes to Medicaid enrollment, postpartum coverage, and other health programs; new research shows widened disparities among US adults with diabetes using insulin; in 2022, the Drug Enforcement Administration confiscated more than 379 million fentanyl doses.

Content published on AJMC.com focusing on automated insulin delivery devices over the past year highlighted utilization of these devices by age, compared different types of systems, looked at barriers to uptake, and examined equity issues standing in the way of access.

Among young adults, 2-year cancer survival increased more in states with expanded Medicaid coverage; some pharmacies implemented purchase limits to help combat children’s medicine supply shortages; an FDA advisory panel will meet next month to discuss the state of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Eli Lilly is experiencing a shortage of the diabetes drug tirzepatide (Mounjaro); a data breach has caused over 200,000 Medicare enrollees to receive new identification cards; a restructuring of the current model for developing and selling antibiotics could be a solution to shortages and drug-resistant germs.

While the combination improved multiple depression scores, patients receiving both therapies did have more adverse events than those in control groups, the meta-analysis found.

Women with endometriosis may experience a delay in optimal care due to a variety of reasons including cultural beliefs, prior authorization hurdles, and more, explained Robin Kroll, MD, medical director, Seattle Clinical Research Center

The top news out of the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) highlighted findings in gliobastoma, HER2-low breast cancer, and Hodgkin lymphoma.

Bipartisan lawmakers aim to pass bill that could incentivize development of new antibiotics; the right to use in vitro fertilization (IVF) may be enshrined in law; CDC director says that vaccine misinformation is a public health threat.

COVID-19 vaccines have prevented more than 3.2 million deaths, but the US death rate this year has not declined to prepandemic numbers; Texas Attorney General (AG) Ken Paxton’s office has requested driver’s license records with sex changes from the past 2 years, among other documents, from the Texas Department of Public Safety; even though hepatitis C virus (HCV) is curable, some people who are incarcerated are going without treatment and dying.

There are promising developments in the pipeline for EGFR exon 20 insertion–positive non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and groups like The Exon 20 Group can help ensure patients are getting access to programs to navigate their care.

Studies highlight use and sequencing of BTK inhibitors, CAR T-cell therapy, and natural killer (NK) cell therapy.

Moderna’s mRNA-4157/V940 combined with Merck’s pembrolizumab reduced melanoma recurrence and death; HHS proposed permanently implementing emergency opioid use disorder policies enacted in 2020; maternal death rates were 62% higher in 2020 in states that now have abortion restrictions.

Coverage of FDA approvals for teclistamab, the first bispecific antibody in multiple myeloma; tremelimumab and durvalumab in liver cancer; cemiplimab with chemotherapy in first-line NSCLC; and mirvetuximab soravtansine-gynx for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer.

Among the conference highlights from the annual meeting of the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) were an interview on chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapies and a session on best practices for value-based contracting.

CMS plans to limit the number of nonstandardized Affordable Care Act (ACA) exchange plans offered by each insurer in 2024; CVS and Walgreens agree to settle on lawsuits revolving around their role in the opioid crisis; cases of COVID-19 rise during the holiday season as people meet with their families.

A judge blocked the FDA’s mandate that would require cigarette companies to publish a graphic warning on packaging; the Jynneos mpox vaccine effectively offered strong protection against the virus; intense movement was found to reduce the risk of death within 7 years.

Coverage of our peer-reviewed research and news reporting in the health care and mainstream press.

The American College of Cardiology’s 71st Scientific Session covered how to address the impact of social determinants of health on cardiovascular outcomes, understanding the latest developments in digital health, and the role of COVID-19 on heart health.