Policy

The American Medical Association announces an antiracism plan; CMS requires nursing homes to report vaccination rates; a minority of COVID-19 carriers are responsible for the bulk of a community's virus spread.

The CMS Star Ratings may be of limited value for patients choosing hospitals for specific care needs.

A new analysis finds the global COVID-19 death toll is much higher than previously estimated; data show promising efficacy rates of COVID-19 vaccines in teens; the US COVID-19 vaccine patent waiver may not result in immediate aid to countries.

The study results were released as nephrologists and others are awaiting the findings of a joint task force of 2 national kidney organizations looking at alternative approaches to estimating glomerular filtration rate.

The United States agreed to temporarily suspend COVID-19 vaccine patents; HIV does not appear to impact efficacy of AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine; cases of COVID-19 cases could decrease by July.

In a review of literature published since the Affordable Care Act’s passage, more than half of analyses find that Medicare Advantage outperforms traditional Medicare on quality, health, and cost outcomes.

A survey by West Health and Gallup found that Black workers and those making less than $48,000 in the United States were more likely to stay in unwanted jobs out of fear of losing their health benefits.

Alberta, Canada becomes the latest province to begin switching patients from originator adalimumab (Humira) to biosimilar versions as part of its Biosimilars Initiative.

Courtney Blair, MD, discusses how COVID-19 has impacted patients with allergies and other respiratory conditions.

Walgreens, CVS responsible for a majority of wasted US COVID-19 vaccine doses; travel to India restricted by Biden administration amid record daily COVID-19 cases; CDC report links physical adverse events to J&J vaccine with anxiety.

Although the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) has delayed the start of payment models for kidney care, one dialysis provider says it remains committed to the concept.

CVS will expand its pilot mental health program; CMS adopts new rules to lower out-of-pocket costs; a study highlights overuse of cervical cancer screening tests.

Blacks and Hispanics were underrepresented in relation to their US racial distribution in clinical trials for ophthalmology drug approvals from 2000 to 2020.

President Biden outlined new health initiatives in his first speech to a joint session of Congress; data show the disproportionate impact of air pollution on communities of color; COVID-19 case rates decline in half of US states.

Patients with long COVID-19 at Veterans Health Administration facilities are being prescribed more addictive medications; indoor social distancing may provide a false sense of security; a drug for inflammatory bowel disease may blunt COVID-19 vaccine efficacy.

Tuesday marked the first of 3 days of hearings on whether checkpoint inhibitors should keep indications after follow-up studies failed to show benefits that led to accelerated approval.

CDC updates mask guidelines for vaccinated and unvaccinated Americans.

The summit will address priority patient inputs for comparative effectiveness research and health technology assessments.

Skin cancer is one of the most common diseases dermatologists deal with on a daily basis, and as global rates increase, it is clear that climate change is a contributory factor, said Eva R. Parker, MD, FAAD, assistant professor of dermatology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, during her session at the American Academy of Dermatology Virtual Meeting Experience.

Unsurprisingly, the use of telemedicine grew exponentially during the COVID-19 pandemic, but those changes are not here to stay without major policy changes, according to speakers at the American Academy of Dermatology Virtual Meeting Experience 2021.

There is no reason for the ban on gay men donating blood to exist, emphasized Perry N. Halkitis, PhD, MS, MPH, dean of the Rutgers School of Public Health and director of the Center for Health, Identity, Behavior and Prevention Studies.

The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted to uphold the original language of the emergency use authorization for Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccination, and is possible the 1-dose vaccine could resume Saturday.

A study analyzes the effects of homelessness on childbirth; some states report drops in demand for COVID-19 vaccines; researchers examine long-term risks of severe COVID-19.

According to the report, direct medical costs represented less than half ($418 billion, or 43%) of overall annual costs.

At a session at the National Association of Managed Care Physicians Virtual Spring Managed Care Forum, an Aetna executive discussed how one employer used the payer's data to see how its workforce was affected by social determinants of health (SDOH).

New reports show additional doses of Johnson & Johnson's (J&J) COVID-19 vaccine manufactured in Baltimore may be contaminated; legislation extends fentanyl's regulation as a Schedule 1 drug; COVID-19 cases and deaths increase in Texas.

For Alberta and Green Shield Canada, savings are beginning to add up from switching initiatives for multiple reference biologics.

Microsoft's acquisition of Nuance reflects health care trends of an economy emerging from COVID-19, according to a speaker at the National Association of Managed Care Physicians Virtual Spring Managed Care Forum.

With unprecedented pauses in air pollution emissions in spring 2020 and ongoing virus mitigation behaviors around the world, the COVID-19 pandemic presents an opportunity to better understand the impact of poor air quality on human health.