Drug Price Transparency in Medicare
Senators have reintroduced a bill to improve drug pricing transparency in Medicare and provide more accurate information online. According to The Register-Herald Reporter, the bill would also prohibit Part D plans and pharmacy benefit managers from retroactively reducing payments on accurate reimbursement claims from pharmacies. The legislation was previously introduced in the 114th Congress and is being reintroduced by Senators Shelley Moore Capito, R-West Virginia, and Jon Tester, D-Montana.
Divisions in GOP May Derail ACA Repeal, Tax Reform
Just before Congress left for a recess, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, said he doesn’t expect Republicans will have help from Democrats when it comes to repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA). While Democrats do not have the numbers to stop a repeal and replace of the ACA, they may not need to, reported the Associated Press. Divisions within the Republican Party may threaten the repeal of the ACA and an overhaul of the tax code as there is disagreement on how to move forward on both issues. Republicans have already missed the initial January 27 deadline to replace the ACA, but the Trump administration is still expecting a plan to replace the ACA within a few weeks.
Drug Theft Occurring at VA Health Facilities
An analysis of government data has shown increasing incidents of drug loss or theft at facilities within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health system. Associated Press reported that the number of these incidents increased nearly tenfold since 2009. The article highlights instances of VA employees diverting painkillers to sell on the street or for their own use.
Examining Low-Value Cancer Care Trends Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic
April 25th 2024On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with the authors of a study published in the April 2024 issue of The American Journal of Managed Care® about their findings on the rates of low-value cancer care services throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
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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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Polatuzumab Vedotin and R-CHP Appropriate for Untreated DLBCL
April 24th 2024Population pharmacokinetic and exposure-response analyses revealed a favorable benefit-risk profilane for the treatment combination of polatuzumab vedotin and rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and prednisone (R-CHP).
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What We’re Reading: Abortion Privacy Rules; Alzheimer Drug Hurdles; Nursing Home Staffing Overhaul
April 23rd 2024New health privacy rules aim to protect patients and providers in an evolving abortion landscape; some physicians express concerns about efficacy, risks, and entrenched beliefs in treating Alzheimer disease; CMS addresses longstanding staffing deficits in nursing homes.
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