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National Nurses United calls for resumption of mask mandates as COVID-19 cases spike
The National Nurses United union is calling for reinstatement of universal mask mandates, regardless of vaccination status, in response to rising incidents of COVID-19 across certain areas of the country.
New Alzheimer’s drug could cost Medicaid more than $2 billion
Aducanumab, a recently approved Alzheiemer’s drug with a price tag of about $56,000, could starin Medicaid budgets, costing the program more than $2 billion a year if most beneficiaries switch over to it, according to a new analysis from the Kaiser Fam…
Pandemic boosting healthcare consumerism, CVS Health finds
The lasting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic are many, and one side effect of the public health crisis is that the trend of consumerism in healthcare has accelerated, with more people taking control of their own care, according to the 2021 Health Care …
CMS opens national coverage determination analysis on Alzheimer’s treatment
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said this week it’s opening a National Coverage Determination analysis, a process that will allow the agency to review and determine whether Medicare will establish a national coverage policy for monoclona…
UC Davis Health uses AI to ensure compliance on patient privacy, drug diversion
Ensuring compliance on a number of initiatives can be a tricky proposition for a hospital or health system.
Hospital groups criticize Biden executive order on consolidation
Hospital groups are responding to President Biden’s executive order last week cracking down on hospital and health insurance consolidations, saying integration and scale can be beneficial in responding to community needs, particularly during a pandemic.
HHS updates interoperability standards to support sexual orientation, SDOH
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology has updated the United States Core Data for Interoperability — a standardized set of health data classes and constituent data elemen…
House Oversight Committee criticizes drugmaker stock buybacks; says Medicare should have negotiating power
The House Oversight Committee released a report this week criticizing drugmakers’ stock buybacks, finding that 14 large pharmaceutical companies spent roughly $577 billion on such buybacks and dividends from 2016 to 2020.
BCBS Rhode Island teams with Women’s Medical Collaborative to improve behavioral health access
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island has announced a new pilot program intended to make it easier for members to receive behavioral healthcare through a collaboration between primary care providers and behavioral health practitioners.
The pilot inco…
Humana, Signify Health team up to address social care for Medicare Advantage members
Humana and Signify Health have begun working together with the Alamo Area Community Network to support Humana Medicare Advantage members in San Antonio through AACN’s community resources, and by connecting those in need with health-related social servi…
