What We’re Reading: Doctor Payment Cuts; Menopause Drug; Student Mental Health Support

Congress Faces Pressure to Reverse Doctors’ Payment Cuts

Congress is being urged to reverse a cut to physicians’ Medicare payments, according to Axios. As the January 19 government funding deadline approaches, doctors are putting more pressure on Congress to use the next spending package to reverse cuts that took effect January 1. There was a 3.4% cut in physician reimbursements that stemmed from Medicare’s plan to adjust the conversion factor, which is a key metric governing physician pay, and a new billing code for complex office visits; doctors argue that the cuts compound previous reimbursement cuts and will particularly harm rural physicians who work on thinner margins. Consequently, the American Medical Association (AMA) is supporting a bipartisan bill that would provide for annual increases for doctors tied to inflation. Despite this, experts consider it unlikely that Congress will agree to a more comprehensive payment change like this before the government funding deadline.

New Menopause Drug Shows Promise for Hot Flash Relief

Bayer announced encouraging results on Monday of 2 phase 3 trials for elinzanetant, its nonhormonal drug candidate meant to treat hot flashes, according to Stat. Elinzanetant, a neurokinin-1 and 3 receptor antagonist, works by calming down the estrogen receptors in the brain that become hyperactive around menopause and cause hot flashes. Bayer found that the drug reduced both the frequency and intensity of hot flashes; it also was shown to improve patients’ sleep and quality of life. Bayer is behind Astellas, whose nonhormonal drug for menopausal symptom relief, fezolinetant (Veoza), won US and European approval last year. Despite this, Bayer noted that the results of a third phase 3 study are expected in the coming months, and it soon plans to submit data from all 3 trials to seek approval from health authorities.

Most Students Go Online for Mental Health Support Instead of to School Counselors

More students are turning to online mental health support rather than school counselors, according to Bloomberg. According to a report by the Jed Foundation, 87% of teens and tweens have sought mental health information online, and 64% have used mobile health apps. Students noted that this is because of the lack of privacy while using campus mental health services and the lack of relatability as counselors are often older than them. Students are also turning to online platforms as schools are unable to meet the demand; school counseling centers are short-staffed and overwhelmed, resulting in long waiting lists that discourage students. To help schools and students alike, the US Department of Education announced grants of more than $188 million in 2023 to help increase the number of mental health professionals in schools and offer services with platforms like Closegap and Rhithm.