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What We're Reading: Tackling Opioid Addiction; Drug Price Increases Slow; Serving Medicaid Patients
New legislation in California would aim to curb opioid addiction; increasing number of generics are causing medicines to be more affordable; healthcarey company focused on serving low-income urban residents receives first round funding.
California Bills to Address Opioid Addiction
Generics’ Impact on Drug Prices
Cityblock Receives Funding to Help Medicaid Patients
A California legislator has introduced new bills that hope to tackle opioid addiction by restricting access to the drugs. According to the Los Angeles Times, the 3 measures would build on the state database’s ability to track prescriptions and provide a clearer and more up-to-date picture of prescriptions. For instance, one of the measures would link the California database to other states in order to track doctor shopping across state lines.The availability of more generic alternatives and slowing price inflation are causing prescription medicines to become more affordable, according to CVS Health and Walgreens Boots Alliance. The companies said their pharmacy revenues are taking a hit from those changes, reported The Wall Street Journal. However, the companies both expect profits to increase since generics have a higher margin than brand-name drugs.A healthcare company focused on serving low-income urban residents has received $20.8 million in first-round funding from investors that include J Mario Molina, MD, and a new investment firm formed by Andy Slavitt, the former acting administrator for CMS under President Barack Obama. According to Reuters, Cityblock’s goal is trying to make it easier for low-income individuals in urban areas to get personalized care, such as preventive visits and accessing appropriate social services, in order to avoid unnecessary emergency department visits and prevent larger healthcare crises.
Standard Criteria for Loss of Ambulation Needed in DMD
April 19th 2024A recent study suggests the differences between ambulation definitions for patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) can impact the identification of ambulant vs nonambulant individuals, and standard criteria across settings are needed.
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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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Early Involvement Critical in Treating Immunotherapy-Induced Overlap Syndrome
April 19th 2024A series of case studies reveals the importance of early diagnosis and involvement of special teams of clinicians when dealing with potential cases of overlap syndrome, which encompasses myocarditis, myasthenia gravis, and immune checkpoint inhibitor–related myositis.
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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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