A ruling against Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America marks victory for efforts to lower health care costs; new guidelines align with flu and respiratory syncytial virus protocols; children and pregnant individuals are burdened with long-term health symptoms in the aftermath of COVID-19.
Lawsuit Dismissed Against Drug Price Negotiation Program
On Monday, a federal judge in Austin, Texas, dismissed a lawsuit filed by Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) challenging Medicare's new drug price negotiation program, according to Reuters. The program aims to save billions annually by allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices with manufacturers. Despite the setback for PhRMA, other lawsuits by major drugmakers are ongoing, indicating further legal battles as the cases may reach federal appeals courts and potentially the US Supreme Court.
CDC Plans to Loosen COVID Isolation Guidelines
The CDC is set to release updated guidance that will relax COVID-19 isolation recommendations, allowing Americans who test positive to return to work and school sooner, according to The Washington Post. The move, driven by changes in the COVID-19 landscape and immunity levels, aligns with protocols for avoiding transmission of the flu and respiratory syncytial virus. Under the new approach, individuals can end isolation if they have been fever free for at least 24 hours without medication and their symptoms are mild and improving.
Studies Shed Light on Long COVID in Children and Pregnant Individuals
Recent studies provide insights into the occurrence and effects of long COVID among children and pregnant individuals, according to CNN. One study found that around 10% of pregnant people experience persistent symptoms such as fatigue and dizziness after contracting COVID-19. Another study suggests that up to 6 million children may develop long COVID, with symptoms that include respiratory problems and an increased risk of autoimmune conditions such as type 1 diabetes.
Covering antiobesity medications like semaglutide could save Medicare around $500 million annually; preliminary CDC data showed a 3% decline in the number of US overdose deaths last year; the Biden administration recently announced the first national maternal mental health strategy.
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After the ACA Expanded Health Care Access, 2024 Elections May See Voters Demand Affordability
May 15th 2024At the spring conference of the New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute, speakers discussed how health policy, affordability, and transparency may play a role in voters’ decisions.
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CMS Medicare Final Rule: Advancing Benefits, Competition, and Consumer Protection
May 7th 2024On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with Karen Iapoce, senior director of government products and programs at ZeOmega, about the recent CMS final rule on Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage.
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House lawmakers are expected to advance a contracting ban today on 5 Chinese research firms; US government officials temporarily relaxed strict guidelines on how laboratories handle, store, and transport H5N1 bird flu samples; a recent report found that the number of abortions occurring in the US continued to grow despite bans.
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