Policy

Future of CKD Care Remains Focused on Value, Even With CMMI Delay

May 1st 2021, 12:30pm

Although the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) has delayed the start of payment models for kidney care, one dialysis provider says it remains committed to the concept.

What We’re Reading: CVS Mental Health Counseling; New CMS Rules Adopted; Excess of Cervical Cancer Screening

April 30th 2021, 2:30pm

CVS will expand its pilot mental health program; CMS adopts new rules to lower out-of-pocket costs; a study highlights overuse of cervical cancer screening tests.

Racial, Ethnic Disparities Seen in Ophthalmology Drug Trials, Study Says

April 30th 2021, 10:45am

Blacks and Hispanics were underrepresented in relation to their US racial distribution in clinical trials for ophthalmology drug approvals from 2000 to 2020.

What We’re Reading: Biden Pushes Health Initiatives; Air Pollution’s Impact on Americans of Color; US COVID-19 Cases Drop

April 29th 2021, 1:50pm

President Biden outlined new health initiatives in his first speech to a joint session of Congress; data show the disproportionate impact of air pollution on communities of color; COVID-19 case rates decline in half of US states.

What We’re Reading: Opioids Prescribed to COVID-19 Patients; Pitfalls of Indoor Social Distancing; IBD Drug, Vaccine Interaction

April 28th 2021, 1:41pm

Patients with long COVID-19 at Veterans Health Administration facilities are being prescribed more addictive medications; indoor social distancing may provide a false sense of security; a drug for inflammatory bowel disease may blunt COVID-19 vaccine efficacy.

A Conflicted FDA Panel Votes to Keep Atezolizumab in Metastatic TNBC While Studies Continue

April 27th 2021, 11:52pm

Tuesday marked the first of 3 days of hearings on whether checkpoint inhibitors should keep indications after follow-up studies failed to show benefits that led to accelerated approval.

CDC Eases Mask Restrictions for Fully Vaccinated Individuals

April 27th 2021, 4:47pm

CDC updates mask guidelines for vaccinated and unvaccinated Americans.

IVI to Hold Second Methods Summit to Drive Patient-Centered Value Assessment

April 27th 2021, 1:00pm

The summit will address priority patient inputs for comparative effectiveness research and health technology assessments.

A Complex Web of Factors Causes Climate Change to Increase the Risk and Burden of Skin Cancer

April 26th 2021, 5:00pm

Skin cancer is one of the most common diseases dermatologists deal with on a daily basis, and as global rates increase, it is clear that climate change is a contributory factor, said Eva R. Parker, MD, FAAD, assistant professor of dermatology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, during her session at the American Academy of Dermatology Virtual Meeting Experience.

Study Finds Health Care Disparities in Who Enrolls in Oncology Patient Portals

April 26th 2021, 4:16pm