Christina is the associate editorial director of The American Journal of Managed Care® (AJMC®) and The American Journal of Accountable Care® (AJAC), and joined AJMC in 2016. She oversees the publication of the print journals, from manuscript submission to publication, and works with the editors in chief and editorial boards to promote the journals.
She has a BS in public health from Rutgers University. You can connect with Christina on LinkedIn.
Valeant's Steep Price Hikes Continue With Lead Poisoning Drug
The cost of an intravenous drug used to treat lead poisoning has skyrocketed after a 2700% price increase by Valeant Pharmaceuticals. Experts worry that its high price and the lack of alternatives will place it out of reach for hospitals that need it. This is not the first time Valeant has been criticized for its price-raising practices.
Physicians Outperform Online Symptom Checkers in Diagnosis Accuracy
Though symptom checking apps and websites have been touted by some as the future of clinical diagnostics, a recent study has found that they are far less accurate than actual physicians at identifying the correct diagnosis when given a clinical vignette.
ACA One of Many Points of Contention During Second Clinton-Trump Debate
The second presidential debate, which took place Sunday night at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, allowed candidates Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton to spar over a multitude of issues, including the future of healthcare in America.
Evidence Shows Trump's Comments on Veterans Could Perpetuate PTSD Stigma
During a campaign event on Monday, Donald Trump said that veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) “can’t handle” what they’ve seen in combat. Criticism of his comments, as well as research, show his choice of words could perpetuate harmful stigmas about mental health, especially in the military.
Millions More Americans May Be Eligible for ACA Tax Credits
Data released by HHS today revealed that up to 2.5 million Americans currently purchasing health insurance through an off-Marketplace plan could qualify for ACA tax credit assistance if they switch to a Marketplace plan for 2017.
Knowledge Is Power for Cancer Patients, British Study Says
A study suggests that regions of England where patients show less awareness of cancer symptoms tend to have lower cancer survival rates, particularly in lower-income areas. The research, published in the British Journal of Cancer also examined whether barriers to care can affect the likelihood of surviving different cancers.
CMS Pledges $347 Million Toward Reducing Patient Harm and Readmissions
CMS announced on Thursday that it would award $347 million in contracts to various hospital associations and quality improvement organizations as part of its ongoing effort to reduce hospital-acquired conditions and readmissions in the Medicare program. The Hospital Improvement and Innovation Network agreement sets high goals in hopes of continuing the progress that has already been made in patient safety.
ACO Coalition Discusses Digital Cognitive Assessment Tool
During the most recent web-based seminar of The American Journal of Managed Care’s ACO & Emerging Healthcare Delivery Coalition, experts discussed a digital test that can help primary care physicians assess patients’ cognitive abilities and detect impairment sooner.
Enhancing Benefit Design Through Value-Based Insurance Design
Both private and public healthcare plans have traditionally used patient cost sharing to keep costs down. However, implementing value-based insurance design may be able to promote efficiency while increasing the use of high-quality care.
Test Hepatitis C Patients for Hepatitis B Before Treatment, Panel Advises
The American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases/Infectious Diseases Society of America Guidance Panel is recommending that before patients begin antiviral therapies for the treatment of hepatitis C, that they be screened for hepatitis B, as well.
Study Shows Medicare's Readmission Rate Penalties Are Unfair to Safety Net Hospitals
Readmission rates for both safety net hospitals and other hospitals have decreased since Medicare’s Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program went into effect in 2013. However, disparate rates of improvement could show that these hospitals in low-income areas are still at a disadvantage.
5 Things About the FDA's Call for a Naloxone-Finding App
The FDA has announced a public competition to develop a mobile application that allows users to find the nearest location of the overdose-reversing drug naloxone. Here are 5 things to know about the 2016 Naloxone App Competition.