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What We're Reading: Opioid Disposal; KY Medicaid Program; Drug Price Gouging
Wal-Mart is providing customers with a way to safely dispose of unused opioids; Kentucky's governor signs a bill to protect his Medicaid overhaul; Maryland coalition aims to ban price gouging for specialty and brand-name drugs.
Wal-Mart Will Provide a Way to Dispose of Opioids
Customers who fill opioid prescriptions at Wal-Mart will also receive a way to dispose of the drugs that prevent them from being misused. According to Reuters, customers will be given a packet of powder that they can mix with water and add to their pill bottle to dispose of unused opioids. The power and water mixture creates a biodegradable gel around the pills.
Kentucky Governor Seeks to Protect Medicaid Overhaul
If a court were to strike down Kentucky’s overhaul of Medicaid, which requires able-bodied beneficiaries to work, then Governor Matt Bevin would strip half a million people of their coverage. The executive order Bevin signed would mostly affect adults added to the program after it was expanded under former Governor Steve Beshear, a Democrat, reported Courier Journal. So far, no legal challenge has been brought against Bevin’s overhaul of Medicaid, but several advocacy groups said it likely will be since some changes violate the federal law that establishes Medicaid.
Coalition Pushes Ban on Drug Price Gouging
The Maryland Health Care for All! Coalition is aiming to protect certain brand-name drugs from price gouging. AP reported that the coalition is trying to build on the success of a law in 2017 that was the first to prohibit price gouging of generic and off-patent drugs. Some of the drugs being targeted include those for multiple sclerosis, HIV/AIDS, and hepatitis C.
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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Overcoming Employment Barriers for Lasting Social Impact: Freedom House 2.0 and Pathways to Work
April 16th 2024To help celebrate and recognize National Minority Health Month, we are bringing you a special month-long podcast series with our Strategic Alliance Partner, UPMC Health Plan. Welcome to our second episode, in which we learn all about Freedom House 2.0 and the Pathways to Work program.
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Early Involvement Critical in Treating Immunotherapy-Induced Overlap Syndrome
April 19th 2024A series of case studies reveals the importance of early diagnosis and involvement of special teams of clinicians when dealing with potential cases of overlap syndrome, which encompasses myocarditis, myasthenia gravis, and immune checkpoint inhibitor–related myositis.
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Making Giant Strides in Maternity Health Through Baby Steps
April 9th 2024To help celebrate and recognize National Minority Health Month, we are kicking off a special month-long podcast series with our strategic alliance partner, UPMC Health Plan. Welcome to our first episode, which is all about the Baby Steps Maternity Program and its mission to support women throughout every step of their pregnancy journey.
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