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What We're Reading: Preterm Birth Blood Test; VA Medicaid Expansion; Over-the-Counter Birth Control
Researchers have developed an inexpensive blood test they say can predict a pregnant women’s due date and potentially identify women at risk for of preterm birth; Virginia's governor has expanded Medicaid in the state; and the American Medical Association is expected to take a stance on over-the-counter birth control this weekend.
Blood Test to Predict Due Dates and Preterm Birth
Scientists have developed a blood test they say can be used to predict a pregnant woman’s due date and potentially identify women at risk for giving birth prematurely. The New York Times reported that the research, which is still in preliminary stages, detects changes in RNA in a pregnant woman’s blood and can estimate due dates within 2 weeks in nearly half the cases. According to researchers, the inexpensive test is as accurate as ultrasound, the current and more expensive method.
Virginia Medicaid Expansion Signed Into Law
Virginia Governor Ralph Northam has signed off on a budget that includes Medicaid expansion for the state. According to The Hill, the expansion is estimated to provide health insurance to up to 400,000 people. The expansion includes work requirements for Medicaid recipients and marks the 33rd state to expand Medicaid.
AMA to Vote on Over-the-Counter Birth Control
As pressure mounts for drug makers to sell birth control over the counter, the American Medical Association (AMA) is expected to take a stance on the issue during its annual meeting in Chicago this weekend, reported STAT News. According to the news outlet, delegates from nation’s largest physicians group are expected to vote on a resolution to encourage birth control manufacturers to submit applications to the FDA to switch the status of their pills from prescription to over the counter.
Overcoming Employment Barriers for Lasting Social Impact: Freedom House 2.0 and Pathways to Work
April 16th 2024To help celebrate and recognize National Minority Health Month, we are bringing you a special month-long podcast series with our Strategic Alliance Partner, UPMC Health Plan. Welcome to our second episode, in which we learn all about Freedom House 2.0 and the Pathways to Work program.
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An Overview of Health Care and Pharmaceutical Trends, 2023-2024
April 19th 2024Douglas M. Long, BA, MBA, was featured as the keynote speaker on the closing day of The Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy 2024 annual meeting, with a session dedicated to surveying the health care and pharmaceutical trends of the last year.
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Making Giant Strides in Maternity Health Through Baby Steps
April 9th 2024To help celebrate and recognize National Minority Health Month, we are kicking off a special month-long podcast series with our strategic alliance partner, UPMC Health Plan. Welcome to our first episode, which is all about the Baby Steps Maternity Program and its mission to support women throughout every step of their pregnancy journey.
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Government agencies have created an online portal for the public to report potential anticompetitive practices in health care; there are changes coming to the “boxed warning” section for chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapies (CAR T) to highlight T-cell blood cancer risk; questions about the safety of obesity medications during pregnancy have arisen in women on them who previously struggled with fertility issues.
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