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What We're Reading: Vaccine Mandate Hold Extended; Medicare Premiums Spike; Booster Eligibility Expands
Appeals court affirms decision to place a hold on the Biden administration's COVID-19 vaccine mandate for large employers; rising Medicare premiums linked with controversial Alzheimer drug; 3 states expand COVID-19 booster shot eligibility to all adults.
Appeals Court Affirms Hold on Employer Vaccine Mandate
Despite arguments from the Department of Justice saying that requirements for large companies to adhere to COVID-19 vaccination or weekly testing and mask wearing were necessary and had legal standing, on Friday an appeals court affirmed its ruling to keep the mandate on hold. Reported by Reuters, the 3-member panel of the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, in New Orleans, noted in its ruling that the mandate was overbroad and did not account for differences in workplaces and workers. Other challenges to the mandate remain in other Circuit courts, with the Supreme Court expected to eventually decide the matter.
Controversial Alzheimer Drug Linked to Medicare Premium Rise
As reported by The Hill, premiums for seniors on Medicare will increase by more than $20 per month next year, with the controversial Alzheimer drug aducanumab cited as a major contributing factor to the rise in cost. As one of the largest increases in recent years, the Biden administration announced Friday that Medicare Part B premiums will increase by $21.60, from $148.50 in 2021 to $170.10 in 2022. Half of the increase was indicated to be due to contingency planning for financing the Alzheimer drug, which costs $56,000 per year. Administration officials said that the growth in costs will be greatly offset by large cost-of-living increases given to Medicare recipients in their Social Security payments next year.
COVID-19 Booster Shots Expand to All Adults in 3 States
Amid growing research suggesting a waning protection for people vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 and a rising trend in breakthrough cases, CBS News reports that California, Colorado, and New Mexico have expanded eligibility for booster shots to all adults aged 18 and older. With booster access currently available for seniors and other high-risk individuals, the decision by the 3 states, who have some of the highest rates of new COVID-19 infections nationwide, will be in defiance of the FDA and CDC recommendations. Other states were noted to be considering lifting age restrictions as well.
CMS' 340B Repayment Proposal May Harm Vulnerable Hospitals, Reward Those With Higher Revenues
April 26th 2024The 340B hospitals not receiving an offsetting lump-sum payment from CMS following 2018-2022 cuts later ruled unlawful are disproportionately rural, publicly owned, and nonacademic, according to a new study.
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Examining Low-Value Cancer Care Trends Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic
April 25th 2024On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with the authors of a study published in the April 2024 issue of The American Journal of Managed Care® about their findings on the rates of low-value cancer care services throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
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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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Mental Health Diagnoses, Care Challenges Rise Among US Youth, Report Finds
April 26th 2024While behavioral health care utilization has been rising, the treatment landscape has been worsening. New findings show that 20% of youths did not receive any form of treatment within 3 months of their initial behavioral health diagnosis.
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