Laura is the vice president of content for The American Journal of Managed Care® (AJMC®) and all its brands, including The American Journal of Accountable Care®, Evidence-Based Oncology™, and The Center for Biosimilars®. She has been working on AJMC® since 2014 and has been with AJMC®’s parent company, MJH Life Sciences®, since 2011.
She has an MA in business and economic reporting from New York University. You can connect with Laura on LinkedIn or Twitter.
Finding Health Care Best Practices From Successes Around the World
The US can learn from what other countries are doing well to implement the best programs to improve patient access to care, especially for those who have the worst outcomes, explained Nadine J. Barrett, PhD, MA, MS, FACCC, of Wake Forest University and the Association of Cancer Care Centers.
Ensuring Equity in Access to Palliative Care
Palliative care is quality care, and providers and health systems need to do a better job at ensuring there is equity in palliative care, said Nadine J. Barrett, PhD, MA, MS, FACCC, of Wake Forest University and the Association of Cancer Care Centers.
Support and Skepticism Emerge as Reactions to Robert F. Kennedy Jr’s HHS Nomination
In the hours after President-elect Donald J. Trump tapped Robert F. Kennedy Jr to lead HHS, reactions came swiftly to the controversial pick who would have a large influence to shake up public health.
Treatment Differences for Younger vs Older Patients With MPNs
Therapy selection for younger patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) may be different based on the desire for fertility preservation, but they are also at greater risk of their disease progressing, explained Ruben Mesa, MD, FACP, of Atrium Health.
The Challenge of Addressing Drug Spend to Drive Down Total Cost of Care in EOM
Stuart Staggs, vice president of transformation and shared services at McKesson, explained that oncology practices in the Enhancing Oncology Model (EOM) have a tough job driving down costs when drug costs make up a larger portion of the total cost of care.
Recognizing Symptoms of Myeloproliferative Neoplasms and Clinical Trial Challenges
There can be a delay in diagnosis of myeloproliferative neoplasms as the symptoms of the diseases can be variable and common, such as fatigue, migraines, and difficulty concentrating, explained Ruben Mesa, MD, of Atrium Health.
A Look at the Legal and Legislative Landscape Impacting Drug Costs for Patients
Kimberly Westrich, MA, of National Pharmaceutical Council, and Adam Colborn, JD, of AMCP, run through the current status of lawsuits and lawmaking at the federal and state levels related to pharmacy benefit managers and cost-shifting programs.
EOM Improved Over OCM, but Challenges Remain for Practices
CMS made improvements for the Enhancing Oncology Model (EOM) over the Oncology Care Model (OCM), but there remains a delay in data and the challenge of high-cost, novel therapies, explained Stuart Staggs, vice president, Transformation and Shared Services, McKesson.
A Novel Approach to Chronic GVHD With Axatilimab: Dr Daniel Wolff
The latest therapy approved to treat chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) has a new target different than the other approved therapies. Daniel Wolff, MD, also discusses future research on axatilimab to treat chronic GVHD earlier.
Ways Providers, Payers Can Ensure Biomarker Testing Is Done in Cancer Care
There is a role for both payers and providers to make small changes that would increase the use of biomarker testing to ensure patients are receiving the appropriate treatment, said Susan Wescott, RPh, MBA, senior director of managed care pharmacy, Mayo Clinic.
Breaking Down Co-Pay Accumulators, Maximizers and the Impact on Patients
Co-pay accumulators and maximizers are 2 programs that insurers have started implementing to help them redirect financial assistance from the patient, said Kimberly Westrich, MA, chief strategy officer, National Pharmaceutical Council.