What We’re Reading: Mifepristone Label Change; Emergency Care Flexibility; WHO Executive Board Nomination

Author(s):

Medical and advocacy groups are petitioning the FDA to change the label for mifepristone to reduce barriers for miscarriage care; health insurers are becoming more flexible to ensure emergency care is met after Hurricane Ian; President Joe Biden will nominate US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, MD, MBA, for the executive board of the World Health Organization (WHO).

Label Change Could Reduce Barriers to Miscarriage Care

More than 40 medical and advocacy groups signed a petition asking the FDA that mifepristone, which is commonly used for medical abortions, have a change in label to include miscarriage management. These organizations included the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, SisterReach, Physicians for Reproductive Health, and the Expanding Medication Abortion Access Project. Should this change be made, it would make accessing the drug easier for women who have miscarriages. The drug has been the subject of reluctant distribution following the overruling of Roe v Wade. Mifepristone, when taken with misoprostol, is the most effective treatment for medical management of miscarriages and medication abortions.

Hurricane Ian Prompts Flexible Health Care

Health insurers have expanded access to health care services in the wake of Hurricane Ian that affected Florida. UnitedHealthcare, which is the nation’s largest insurance, has opened an emotional support line from 8 am to 8 pm CST from Monday to Friday, has announced exceptions on early prescription refills for members, and is waiving authorization for in-network nursing facility transfers. Aetna is currently expanding eligibility for its Resources for Living program, which connects Medicare Advantage members to community resources. Humana is currently waiving requirements for primary care referrals and prior authorizations for members affected by the hurricane and will have in-network rates for out-of-network facilities.

Biden to Nominate Surgeon General for WHO

President Joe Biden has announced his intentions to nominate Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, MD, MBA, to serve on the World Health Organization’s (WHO) executive board as the US representative. Murthy will continue as surgeon general after his appointment to the WHO, should the appointment be approved by the Senate. The move marks the first step in the United States reengaging with the WHO after former President Donald Trump announced the country’s withdrawal due to the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. The United States has not had a Senate-confirmed representative to the WHO since 2020.