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What We're Reading: California Halts Soda Taxes; Massive Drug Takedown; Amazon Shakes Pharmacy Firms
The California state legislature approved a last-minute deal to halt soda taxes for 12 years; the Department of Justice charged 601 people for taking part in a variety of frauds and schemes that resulted in more than $2 billion in healthcare losses; Amazon buying PillPack, an online pharmacy, is exactly what the pharmacy business has been fearing.
California Halts Soda Taxes Until 2031
The California state legislature approved a last-minute deal to ban soda taxes for 12 years between one of the state’s largest labor unions and the American Beverage Association, California Healthline reported. Democratic Governor Jerry Brown signed the measure, which gives the industry a break until January 1, 2031. In return, local municipalities will avoid a fight at the ballot box on a broader proposal that could have made it more difficult for them to raise general taxes and fees. Some state lawmakers said the deal holds Californians “hostage.”
DOJ Charges 601 in Massive Healthcare Fraud Schemes, Including Opioid Cases
The Department of Justice charged 601 people, including doctors, for taking part in a variety of frauds and schemes that resulted in more than $2 billion in healthcare losses, including improper billing to Medicare and Medicaid. Reuters reported the hundreds of suspects charged included 162 doctors and other suspects for their roles in prescribing and distributing addictive opioid painkillers. The arrests came in dozens of unrelated prosecutions announced together as part of an annual healthcare fraud takedown.
Amazon Shakes Up Pharmacy Chains With Purchase of Online Firm PillPack
Amazon buying PillPack, an online pharmacy, is exactly what the pharmacy business has been fearing, The New York Times reported. Amazon faced the problem of securing pharmacy licenses in each state, but PillPack is already licensed to ship drugs in 50 states. That paves the way for the ecommerce giant to become a major player in pharmacy retail overnight. PillPack, a startup, distributes pills in easy-to-use packages designed for patients with chronic conditions and multiple prescriptions.
Navigating Health Policy in an Election Year: Insights From Dr Dennis Scanlon
April 2nd 2024On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with Dennis Scanlon, PhD, the editor in chief of The American Journal of Accountable Care®, about prior authorization, price transparency, the impact of health policy on the upcoming election, and more.
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Commonwealth Fund Report Details Pervasive Racial and Ethnic Disparities in US Health Care, Outcomes
April 18th 2024Using 25 health system performance indicators, the Commonwealth Fund 2024 State Health Disparities Report evaluated racial and ethnic disparities in health care and health outcomes both within and across US states and highlighted the urgent need for equitable health care policies and practices in the US.
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Exploring Medicare Advantage Prior Authorization Variations
March 26th 2024On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with the authors of a study published in the March 2024 issue of The American Journal of Managed Care® about their findings on variations in prior authorization use across Medicare Advantage plans.
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