Health Care Cost

An uptick in laxative use causes shortage; ketamine can help suicidal thoughts but can be hard to access; new data suggest that abortions increased in most states in 2023.

Care quality is high in both the United States and Canada, but there are commonalities in regard to drug access and cost issues, particularly with advanced medications, noted G. B. John Mancini, MD, University of British Columbia.

Rising temperatures demand action against heat-related illnesses; school superintendents face complex decisions as COVID-19 cases rise; national staffing standards for nursing homes present challenges.

Biosimilars can improve access to treatment for patients who might not have been able to access biologics previously, explained Laura Wingate, executive vice president, Education, Support, & Advocacy, Crohn's & Colitis Foundation.

While the challenges in affordability and accessibility emphasize the importance of early awareness and interventions, equitable access to the screening itself poses a crucial hindrance.

Analysis of claims data showed reduced utilization and costs among patients with nonintensively managed type 2 diabetes using self-monitoring of blood glucose compared with continuous glucose monitoring.

The Biden administration has released the first 10 drugs subject to price negotiation with Medicare under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), and among those chosen were Stelara (ustekinumab) and Enbrel (etanercept), both of which will face biosimilar competition within the next decade.

"We won't be content until this is indeed performed in 98% of babies," Stephen Kingsmore, MD, DSc, explains.

A study highlights an unmet need for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) to access and afford genomic testing, especially among an older patient population.

Telemedicine abortions in Iowa have increased in recent months; 2 new laws restrict access to gender-affirming health care and school sports in Missouri; the end of COVID-19 safety nets means many children have lost Medicaid coverage.

COVID-19 hospital visits by adolescents nearly doubled; government to release list of drugs Medicare will be able to negotiate prices for; Rite Aid gears up for bankruptcy while facing lawsuits over alleged opioid involvement.

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) contributes to an extensive weakening in work ability and productivity, as well as large loss of gross value added.

Through a series of regression analyses, researchers projected the ever-increasing global burden of osteoarthritis (OA) until 2050.

Neil Goldfarb, president and CEO of the Greater Philadelphia Business Coalition on Health (GPBCH), previews the upcoming GPBCH Wellness Summit taking place on September 14, 2023.

Stephen Kingsmore, MD, DSc, shares the exciting advancement of the BeginNGS newborn genomic sequencing program as it approaches the end of phase 2.

About 17 million middle-class Americans have unpaid medical bills; more than 1 in 5 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 developed high blood pressure; work requirements for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to begin in September.

Kevin Davies, PhD, executive editor, The CRISPR Journal and GEN Biotechnology, and author of Editing Humanity: The CRISPR Revolution and the New Era of Genome Editing, discusses the difficulties inherent in making CRISPR gene editing technology an equitable treatment.

“Our study suggests that narrowly focusing on hospital volumes and tying that to insurance reimbursement might mask complexities and trade-offs in achieving the goal of optimizing patient outcomes and experiences,” lead co-author Lindsay Sabik, PhD, says.

Trends show rising rates of cancers among young adults; The Physicians Foundation launches program to address social determinants of health; Blue Shield California drops CVS health

In this interview, Catherine Nester, RN explains the importance of entering phase 2 of the whole genome sequencing newborn screening program.

The new rule is poised to foster safety, equity, and reduce preventable harm within the hospital setting in historically underserved communities.

Olalekan Ajayi, PharmD, MBA, 2023-2024 president of the Association of Community Cancer Centers, discusses what practices should do to succeed under the Enhancing Oncology Model (EOM).

Data on 10 social determinants of health (SDOH) were analyzed to determine their distribution among low-income patients hospitalized for heart failure (HF) at a safety-net hospital.

Better transparency is needed for nonemergency hospital care expenses; services and support are needed to alleviate the financial strain of caring for older adults; a reduced demand for annual COVID-19 vaccination is putting pressure on public health officials.

BeginNGS aims to enable the prompt identification of potential genetic disease with its newborn screening program.

Researchers found that costs were highest for those with hospital-onset clostridioides difficile infection (CDI), lower for those with community onset-health care facility association CDI, and lowest for those with community-associated CDI.

The BeginNGS program added 23 new founding members to the consortium and expanded to include 31 additional genetic disorders in its second phase screening, totaling 419 treatable genetic disorders.

The Red Cross’s inclusive assessment will determine blood donation eligibility; Wegovy reduces the risk of cardiovascular events; the first postpartum depression pill sparks pricing questions.

Amjevita’s revenue was down 63% in the second quarter (Q2) compared with the first quarter of 2023, when the biosimilar launched.

A severe heat wave is causing an uptick in heat-related emergency visits; Leqembi set to be rolled out in the coming months; declining childhood vaccination rate raises concerns over winter surge.