Policy

Nathan Walcker, CEO at Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS), highlights some of the recent partnerships and initiatives at FCS to improve community-based oncology care from a value-based perspective.

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.

The CDC reports an increase in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases among young children and babies; the deadline looms for reauthorizing the United States’ global AIDS program as it has become a topic within the abortion debate; an eye-tracking device may help to diagnose autism spectrum disorder earlier.

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.

Wildfire smoke exposure raises public health concerns after an increase of asthma-associated emergency visits.

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.

The 10 drugs, spanning disease states from diabetes to heart failure to rheumatoid arthritis, cost Medicare enrollees a total of $3.4 billion in out-of-pocket costs in 2022. As required by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), negotiations between Part D and pharmaceutical companies will take place this year and next, with the negotiated prices taking effect in 2026.

Living in a neighborhood with better conditions is associated with lower asthma incidence, according to a new study.

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.

The Biden administration is expected to unveil the first 10 drugs identified for drug price negotiations Tuesday; American nursing homes are disappearing; gender-affirming surgeries tripled in the United States between 2016-2019.

Patients and physicians are publicly shaming insurance companies on social media for the troublesome prior authorization process; HHS has awarded $1.4 billion in grants for the creation of new technologies and tools to prevent COVID-19 infection; Novo Nordisk has increased lobbying efforts to allow Medicare coverage of weight loss drugs.

Novavax’s COVID-19 vaccine shows immunity against the Eris subvariant; infants with excessive screen time are at higher risk of developmental delays; a near-total abortion ban is expected to go into effect in Indiana within days.

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.

Despite receiving their diagnosis at a younger average age, Hispanic or Latino patients paradoxically have the lowest incidence of recent breast cancer screenings prior to diagnosis.

Coverage from the June 8, 2023, Institute for Value-Based Medicine session in Austin, Texas, held in partnership with Texas Oncology.

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

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.

Patients with a specific gene are more likely to develop long COVID; senators send letters to the Internal Revenue Service, urging them to investigate the practices of nonpartisan hospitals; pregnant workers and workers with newborns could potentially gain job accommodations through a new proposal.

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.

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.

A record low of 7.7% of Americans had no health insurance at the start of 2023; the American Academy of Pediatrics renewed its backing of gender care for children while requesting a research review; 2 lots of an oral contraceptive were recalled for possible reduction in effectiveness.

Hospitals and health systems have been operating in the most challenging financial environment in history, and now they face another looming headwind—the impact of Medicaid redeterminations.