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What We're Reading: 340B Face-Off; Uber Pushes ACA Sign-Up; DEA Cracks Down on Opioid Trafficking
A battle between hospitals and pharmaceutical companies is brewing over the 340B program; Uber and other companies relying on independent contractors lead the push to get people to enroll in Obamacare plans; the government intends to crack down harder on fentanyl-related substances.
Battle Brews Over 340B Program
Hospitals and the trade organization representing pharmaceutical companies are facing off over the 340B program. According to Politico, drug companies want fewer drugs sold through the program, while hospitals want to expand it. The companies allege that the discounts through the program have led to hospitals buying up more doctor’s offices, which increases healthcare costs. Hospitals argue that the program is needed to provide drugs to vulnerable populations. Both sides are spending money to retain lobbying firms to advocate their position on 340B.
Uber’s Push to Enroll Drivers in ACA Plans
DEA Moves on Opioid Trafficking
The Trump administration may have cut funding to market the Affordable Care Act (ACA)’s open enrollment, but Uber and other technology companies in Silicon Valley are filling the void. Uber will hold events for its drivers to offer assistance to sign up for ACA insurance plans, reported The New York Times. The company will partner on enrollment efforts with Stride Health, which is also working with other companies that rely on independent contractors, like Etsy Inc, DoorDash Inc, and Postmates Inc.The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is planning to temporarily schedule fentanyl-related substances on an emergency basis, which would make it easier to prosecute traffickers of synthetic opioids. The Hill reported that people trafficking substances like fentanyl will be charged the same as people trafficking fentanyl. A temporary scheduling can last up to 2 years and will go into effect 30 days after the DEA publishes notice.
Standard Criteria for Loss of Ambulation Needed in DMD
April 19th 2024A recent study suggests the differences between ambulation definitions for patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) can impact the identification of ambulant vs nonambulant individuals, and standard criteria across settings are needed.
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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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An Overview of Health Care and Pharmaceutical Trends, 2023-2024
April 19th 2024Douglas M. Long, BA, MBA, was featured as the keynote speaker on the closing day of The Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy 2024 annual meeting, with a session dedicated to surveying the health care and pharmaceutical trends of the last year.
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Drs Raymond Thertulien, Joseph Mikhael on Racial Disparities in Multiple Myeloma Care Access
December 28th 2023In the wake of the 2023 American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting and Exposition, Raymond Thertulien, MD, PhD, of Novant Health, and Joseph Mikhael, MD, MEd, FRCPC, FACP, chief medical officer of the International Myeloma Foundation, discussed health equity research highlights from the meeting and drivers of racial disparities in multiple myeloma outcomes.
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Real-World Study Reveals Key Insights Into DLBCL Treatment Patterns, Outcomes
April 18th 2024A recent study offers valuable insights into the characteristics, treatment patterns, and outcomes of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in patients across different lines of therapy, providing a look into the landscape of DLBCL management.
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