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What We’re Reading: Woman Cured of HIV; COVID-19 Vaccination During Pregnancy; Fight to Continue Direct Contracting Model
A woman is now the third person in the world to be cured of HIV; CDC data suggest vaccinating women against COVID-19 during pregnancy may protect infants after birth; provider groups push to keep Direct Contracting payment model.
US Woman Is Now Third Person to Be Cured of HIV
A woman in the United States is now the third person in the world to be cured of HIV, according to The New York Times. She was cured using a new transplant method involving umbilical cord blood, which is more widely available than adult stem cells—used to cure the previous 2 patients—and doesn’t require as close of a match to the recipient. The woman is middle-aged, had leukemia, and is of mixed race, which scientists said widens the possibility of curing HIV among people with diverse racial backgrounds.
COVID-19 Vaccination Among Expecting Mothers May Protect Infants After Birth
CDC data showed that vaccinating women against COVID-19 during pregnancy may also temporarily protect their children after birth, Reuters reported. Data were collected from 379 hospitalized infants, 176 of whom were hospitalized for COVID-19. Overall, vaccines among mothers were 61% effective at preventing infant hospitalization. The researchers suggested that timing of the vaccine also played a role, as vaccine efficacy increased to 80% when received between 21 and 14 weeks before birth, and decreased to 32% when received earlier.
Provider Groups Fight to Continue Direct Contracting Model
Several provider groups are pushing for lawmakers and regulators to keep CMS’ Direct Contracting model, warning that ending the payment model in its second year could shatter confidence in value-based care participation. As reported by Fierce Healthcare, these efforts are in response to lawmakers in Congress wanting to end the model, believing it would fuel privatization of traditional Medicare, but providers argue the model is necessary for the shift from fee-for-service to value-based health care. The Direct Contracting model started its first performance year in April 2021 and allows providers to receive capitated or partially capitated population-based payments.
Generic Drug Savings Possibilities: $3.6 Billion to Medicare Using DTC Pricing
June 22nd 2022How much would have Medicare saved if it had the same ability to purchase generic drugs at the same price as individuals using direct-to-consumer (DTC) pharmacies like the Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company? Billions, as it turns out.
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Challenges, Adaption Needed in Conducting Research for Homeless Youth Living With HIV
April 8th 2024HIV testing, treatment, and intervention session delivery were among some areas that saw challenges in properly addressing youth experiencing homelessness during an HIV prevention trial.
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Investigating How Care Fragmentation May Affect Primary Care Redesign in Medicare
March 20th 2022On this episode of Managed Care Cast, Lori Timmins, PhD, and Eugene Rich, MD, discuss the findings of their interim analysis of data from the first 3 years of the Comprehensive Primary Care Plus Initiative, a large-scale effort of primary care redesign meant to improve care fragmentation among Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries.
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