CDC warns against EzriCare Artificial Tears, which were recalled by the manufacturer; certain weight loss drugs not covered by most payers; Mississippi's Republican governor denies being privately in support of Medicaid expansion.
EzriCare Eyedrops May Cause Bacterial Infection, Resulting in Death and Blindness
A brand of eye drops sold online at Walmart and Amazon, EzriCare Artificial Tears, was recalled by its manufacturer on Thursday after the CDC urged consumers to “stop using” these over-the-counter eyedrops after 1 person died and at least 3 people had permanent vision loss, according to NBC News. The CDC has identified at least 55 people in 12 states with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a type of drug-resistant bacterial infection, with possible links to EzriCare Artificial Tears. Cases have been identified in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Nevada, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin.
Weight Loss Drugs Present Cost Barriers for Patients Who May Benefit the Most
Despite a rise in popularity for the weight loss drug, semaglutide, otherwise known by the brands, Ozempic and Wegovy, steep prices and short supply in pharmacies nationwide is a growing frustration for doctors who treat overweight and obese patients, according to NBC News. These drugs can cost more than $1000 a month and are not insured by most health insurance plans. Furthermore, low-income and racially and ethnic diverse individuals who might benefit the most from these drugs are the least likely to be able to get them.
GOP Governor Denies Being Privately in Favor of Medicaid Expansion
Mississippi’s Republican Gov. Tate Reeves privately said that expanding Medicaid coverage would be in the best interest of the state, but he would not support expansion due to personal political interest, revealed Dan Jones, MD, who previously who led the University of Mississippi Medical Center before serving as chancellor of the university until 2015, according to The Associated Press. Jones made the disclosure during a press conference organized by Democrats who want to expand Medicaid in the state, which has some of the country's poorest health outcomes. Reeves denied the conversation in a statement on Twitter.
Dr Dalia Rotstein: Physicians Must Be Aware MS Affects People of All Backgrounds
April 24th 2024Dalia Rotstein, MD, MPH, emphazises the importance of awareness that multiple sclerosis (MS) impacts patients from various backgrounds as clinicians think through ways to improve access to care and research efforts in MS.
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Navigating Health Policy in an Election Year: Insights From Dr Dennis Scanlon
April 2nd 2024On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with Dennis Scanlon, PhD, the editor in chief of The American Journal of Accountable Care®, about prior authorization, price transparency, the impact of health policy on the upcoming election, and more.
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The Federal Trade Commission's (FTC's) vote to ban most employers from issuing and enforcing noncompete clauses could have varying impacts on the health care workforce; federal regulators vastly under-enforced antitrust laws in the hospital sector during the last 2 decades, resulting in increased health costs; the FDA recently found genetic evidence of the H5N1 bird flu virus in pasteurized commercially purchased milk.
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Navigating Health Literacy, Social Determinants, and Discrimination in National Health Plans
February 13th 2024On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with the authors of a study published in the February 2024 issue of The American Journal of Managed Care® about their findings on how health plans can screen for health literacy, social determinants of health, and perceived health care discrimination.
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What We’re Reading: Abortion Privacy Rules; Alzheimer Drug Hurdles; Nursing Home Staffing Overhaul
April 23rd 2024New health privacy rules aim to protect patients and providers in an evolving abortion landscape; some physicians express concerns about efficacy, risks, and entrenched beliefs in treating Alzheimer disease; CMS addresses longstanding staffing deficits in nursing homes.
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