Democratic senators urge private insurers fully cover Opill, an OTC contraceptive pill; providers pursue lawsuit against Arizona's abortion rule; a quarter of US medical students contemplate leaving their studies.
Democratic lawmakers have called on the Biden administration to ensure that private health insurance plans provide full coverage for the first OTC birth control pill in the United States, known as Opill, which is set to be available in stores and online early next year, according to CNN. While the FDA approved Opill in July, concerns about its retail price have prompted senators to advocate for comprehensive coverage without the need for a prescription, potentially making this contraceptive option more accessible across the United States and ensuring affordability for women, especially in the wake of the Dobbs decision and the ongoing battle over reproductive health rights.
A US appeals court has rekindled a legal challenge to an Arizona law that prohibits abortions based solely on genetic abnormalities of the fetus, according to Reuters. The 3-judge panel of the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously ruled that health care providers can proceed with their lawsuit against the state, overturning a prior decision. Although the panel did not address the law's merits, these rulings grant the providers the right to pursue their challenge in court, who argued that the law's vagueness prevented them from discerning when it applied, resulting in their overcompliance with the statute.
A recent report has revealed that 25% of medical students in the US are contemplating quitting their studies, according to The Hill. Concerns about mental health, study-life balance, and potential clinician shortages, along with the rise of medical misinformation, have driven these students to consider leaving their programs. Overall, the report found that 12% of medical students worldwide were mulling over quitting their studies. Additionally, 58% of medical and nursing students surveyed saw their current studies as stepping stones to careers in health care that do not involve direct patient care. Cost and the overwhelming volume of information were significant factors contributing to their decisions.
Enhancing Outpatient Hemophilia Care May Improve Health Outcomes and Costs
May 18th 2024Prospective data from patients attending a rural practice in West Virginia between 2016 and 2023 show that a quality improvement program that followed guideline recommendations and was tailored to specific patient needs reduced preventable bleeds and lowered costs.
Read More
Frameworks for Advancing Health Equity: Urban Health Outreach
May 9th 2024In the series debut episode of "Frameworks for Advancing Health Equity," Mary Sligh, CRNP, and Chelsea Chappars, of Allegheny Health Network, explain how the Urban Health Outreach program aims to improve health equity for individuals experiencing homelessness.
Listen