All News

This week, the top managed care stories included the Trump administration proposed extending the duration of short-term health plans; a report found that CAR T-cell therapies are worth their high price tags; the new issue of Evidence-Based Oncology® examined current issues in immunotherapy.

Last week, the European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation held its 13th annual congress in Vienna, Austria. At the meeting, researchers presented new data on using biosimilar anti–tumor necrosis factor therapies in treating Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis, 2 manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease. Here are 5 things to know about the research presented.

Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) showed no signs of effectiveness when compared with a placebo with an indication to relieve moderate to severe hand pain and radiographic osteoarthritis, according to a randomized trial published in Annals of Internal Medicine.

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

Pediatric patients from low-income neighborhoods died at rates 18% higher while hospitalized, and had higher hospital costs after cardiac surgery, compared with those from higher-income neighborhoods, according to results of a national study that the lead investigator called “shocking.” The NIH-supported study was published Friday in Pediatrics.

Broad bipartisan and multi-stakeholder support of VBID has stemmed from its applicability to a wide range of healthcare issues and its potential to reduce overall healthcare expenditures while improving health outcomes.

A study by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that some states are slow to complete evaluation reports of Medicaid Section 1115 waivers; Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) is proposing a $200 million reinsurance program to cover high-cost patients; the House Energy and Commerce subcommittee will hold a hearing on bills containing enforcement-related measures aimed at the opioid crisis.

A working paper published by the National Bureau of Economic Research identified an association between employees who choose to participate in firm-sponsored wellness programs and lower average healthcare spending and healthy habits, like clean eating and exercise. However, employees who participate already practice heathy lifestyles and have low spending.

The FDA is warning healthcare providers about prescribing the antibiotic clarithromycin (Biaxin) to patients with heart disease because of a potential increased risk of heart problems or death that can occur years later. FDA's recommendation is based on a review of the results of a 10-year follow-up study of patients with coronary heart disease from a large clinical trial that first observed the issue.

A new study integrates traditional National Comprehensive Cancer Network prostate cancer guidelines with genetic information found in biopsied tissue to more accurately predict which men have more aggressive forms of prostate cancer.

With formal integration initiatives, such as accountable care organizations, having modest effects, researchers analyzed the impact of informal clinical integration on cardiac surgery payments and found that patients who were treated in health systems with higher informal integration had greater savings.

Clinical and policy decisions made using early trial results could be misguided, according to a study that found early results in chronic disease trials are often exaggerated compared with findings in subsequent trials.

A liberal think tank released a universal healthcare plan modeled on Medicare that would also preserve employer-based insurance coverage as an option for those who are satisfied with their current plans. The Center for American Progress (CAP) is calling its program “Medicare Extra for All” and said it would be available to everyone regardless of income, health status, age, or insurance status.

Cell-free DNA derived from liquid biopsy offers the potential for minimally invasive genome-wide profiling of tumor alterations without tumor biopsy and can predict patient survival outcomes for patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer, according to a team of researchers.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted 12-2 to return the injectable nasal spray flu vaccine FluMist to the CDC list of recommended vaccines; HHS Secretary Alex Azar suggested that action on drug prices could happen without Congress; drug overdose deaths fell in 14 states.

The FDA has tentatively approved Mylan’s New Drug Application for Dolutegravir, Emtricitabine, and Tenofovir Alafenamide Tablets, 50mg/200mg/25mg, for the treatment of HIV/AIDS, and the drug will be immediately available in developing countries as a first-line regimen.

African American patients and uninsured patients are more likely to have diminished employment participation 2 years after being cancer free than are those with no history of cancer, according to new research published in Cancer.

Medicaid became a leading payer for inpatient hospital stays among certain age groups between 2000 and 2015, a brief from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) recently reported. AHRQ’s Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Statistical Brief presents data on hospital inpatient stays from 2000 through 2015 by age group and primary payer.

CAR T-cell therapies tisagenlecleucel (Kymriah, Novartis) and axicabtagene ciloleucel (Yescarta, Kite Pharma/Gilead) may come with hefty price tags, but the cost-effectiveness of both therapies fell below or within commonly cited thresholds of $50,000 to $150,000 per quality-adjusted life years, according to a report by the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review.

Research analyzes the cost of processing healthcare bills; supermarket operator Albertsons will buy drugstore chain Rite Aid; a review of phase 1 clinical trials finds just 1 in 10 children with cancer see improvements.

Patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) who have a sustained deep molecular response can maintain treatment-free remission for at least 48 weeks after using second-line nilotinib, according to a new study published in Annals of Internal Medicine.

Integrating nonmedical social services with medical services is necessary for the United States healthcare system to address unmet social needs, according to a case study published in Health Affairs.

In response to Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter's executive order allowing Idaho insurers to offer insurance plans that do not comply with the Affordable Care Act, Blue Cross Idaho introduced Freedom Blue, 5 individual health insurance plans.

In Kentucky, Medicaid enrollees now facing a work requirement will experience barriers that limit their ability to reach the requisite 80 hours’ worth of “community engagement” activities or document exemptions including low educational attainment, health limitations, and a lack of access to a vehicle and the internet.

The Trump administration on Tuesday proposed extending the time period that Americans can stay in short-term, limited-duration insurance plans from 3 months to 12 months. The administration claims that the proposed changes are intended to provide affordable coverage options for individuals and families that cannot afford premiums for policies that meet the full requirements set by the Affordable Care Act, such as 10 essential health benefits and other care.

Anthem says that most cataract surgeries can be conducted without an anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist involved; the GOP-controlled House of Delegates in Virginia will support the expansion of Medicaid, but their plan will also include work requirements; the federal government has released an interim final rule for the Common Rule that governs the processes of conducting medical research, including protection for human subjects involved in research.

Adults with serious mental illnesses are at high risk of developing chronic diseases, resulting in shortened lifespans. Patient self-directed and provider-supported approaches significantly increase patient activation in care, engagement in primary and specialty care, and perceived mental health status among patients with serious mental health issues, according to new research.

Long-term use of inhaled corticosteroids, which are widely used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, are associated with an increased risk of fractures, according to a new study in CHEST.

In the aftermath of the mass shooting at a Florida high school last week that killed 17 students and adults, 6 medical organizations are calling on President Trump and Congress to treat gun violence as a national public health epidemic amid a press report that attitudes are loosening on Capitol Hill about putting more research money into the issue.

A survey of healthcare executives finds that ongoing issues with interoperability are holding back the transition to value-based reimbursement mechanisms. Humana's Chief Medical Officer, Roy A. Beveridge, MD, said the healthcare system must demand the same level of seamlessness seen in the banking industry.