What We're Reading: Reporting Hospital Infections; AMA Opposes CVS–Aetna; Health Impacts of Immigration Policy

CMS Proposes Ending Public Reporting of Hospital Infections

The Hospital Compare website run by CMS may no longer show hospital infections or even safety measures hospitals take under a proposed rule from CMS. According to the USA Today, the Trump administration is proposing to halt the public disclosure of hospital infections and hospitals would no longer have to report safety problems to CMS’ Hospital Compare site. The Leapfrog Group is urging people to protest the plan and recently reported that the number of hospitals with no infections is down since 2015.

AMA Believes CVS­—Aetna Merger Should Be Blocked

The American Medical Association (AMA) is opposing the proposed merger between CVS Health and Aetna based on the indication of anticompetitive effects. An analysis of the merger found that it would increase premiums for Medicare Part D, increase drug spending and out-of-pocket costs, and reduce competition, according to an announcement from the AMA. For its analysis, AMA reached out to academic experts in health economics, health policy, and antitrust law. It will publish a more complete report on its analysis at a later date.

Health Community Raises Concerns Related to Immigration Policies

Health experts are warning about short- and long-term health issues resulting from the Trump administration’s recent zero tolerance immigration policy, which has separated thousands of children from their parents at the US border. In addition to mental health conditions, like depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder, the stress of the separations can lead to heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer down the line, reported The Hill. The American Psychological Association, American Psychiatric Association, and the American Academy of Pediatrics have all spoken out against the current policy.