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There’s Been Few Breakthroughs In Alzheimer’s Drugs In Decades. Where’s The Demand For Progress?
In other diseases, loud and outraged patient advocates have played a crucial role in getting experimental treatments and drugs to trial. When it comes to Alzheimer’s, though, experts say there isn’t that energy to push for a cure. In other public health news: cancer and elephants, brain injuries, female doctors, race, Ebola and tainted blood pressure meds.
From the sites of one of the top-ranked hospitals in the country to Harvard University, ProPublica finds errors and misleading information about preeclampsia, an extremely dangerous condition for pregnant women. ProPublica’s “Lost Mothers” series looks at why the country has such a high maternal mortality rate. In other news on women’s health: pregnancy prevention apps and abortion clinics.
New York Sues Purdue Pharma, Accuses Opioid Maker Of Widespread Fraud
New York joins dozens of other states suing the manufacturer of OxyContin. “The opioid epidemic was manufactured by unscrupulous distributors who developed a $400 billion industry pumping human misery into our communities,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) said.
Officials say it’s reducing the patients’ exposure to harmful overprescribing practices, but critics warn that it will cause people to seek out opioids by any means necessary. In other news on the epidemic: the dangers of overdose for postpartum women who have been addicted to opioids; a look at grieving families on the frontlines of the crisis; how the issue could be a winning topic for Democrats; and more.
In the midst of criticism that pharmacy benefits managers are not doing enough to drive down costs, CVS has announced that it will let its clients exclude from their formularies any new drugs that exceed the threshold of $100,000 per quality-of-life years.
Just Months Before Midterms, Oral Arguments Set In Case Trying To Strike Down Health Law
Democrats are likely to highlight the case as Republicans trying to eliminate popular provisions, like protections for preexisting conditions.
Oscar’s focus is on health plans and helping consumers pick out the right coverage for them. The company announced that the investment will help it expand into Medicare Advantage space in the coming years.
New Suit Claims Administration’s Approval Of Arkansas’ Medicaid Work Requirement Is Unconstitutional
The advocacy groups suing the Trump administration had previous success blocking Kentucky’s Medicaid work requirement in court. In June, Arkansas became the first state where Medicaid work requirements took effect.
First Edition: August 15, 2018
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages focus on these health care topics and others.
Media outlets report on news from New Hampshire, Missouri, Ohio, Georgia, Arizona, Minnesota, Kansas, Florida, Iowa, California and Massachusetts.
‘Delay, Deny And Hope You Die’: NFL’s Byzantine Rules Stymie Ex-Players Seeking Health Benefits
But Paul Scott, who worked as the NFL’s benefit plan point person, wants to change that. He’s hoping to help former players through the application process to get the disability benefits they’ve earned. Meanwhile, experts find fault in the way the University of Maryland treated football player Jordan McNair when he suffered from heatstroke, which led to his death.
Concentrated, Intensive Programs Offer Short-Term Alternative To Traditional Weekly Therapy Sessions
Some patients can finish therapy in just a few weeks. The model is gaining popularity because it is proving to be as effective as long-term weekly treatments. In other public health news: vaping, med students, Lyme disease, autism, HPV, toxins in water, work wellness programs and more.
The researchers are now building a website that will allow anyone to upload genetic data. Users will receive risk scores for heart disease, breast cancer, Type 2 diabetes, chronic inflammatory bowel disease and atrial fibrillation. But scientists emphasize that DNA is not destiny, and that the results don’t account for a healthy diet and exercise.
“Similar to how students learn health education and driver’s education, they must learn proper bleeding control techniques using commonly available materials,” according to the Department of Homeland Security notice, “including how to use their hands, dressings and tourniquets.”
Mayo Clinic Nabs Top Spot In National Hospital Ranking Beating Out Cleveland Clinic
The U.S. News & World Report analyzed 4,500 hospitals based on several factors, including performance in 16 specialty areas and reputation. This year, the report put a greater emphasis on patient outcomes.
Billionaire Carl Icahn had called the deal a “$60 billion folly,” but is now walking back his opposition in light of recommendations from Institutional Shareholder Services and Glass Lewis. The latter called the insurer’s offer for the pharmacy benefits manager “both strategically and financially compelling, structured in a reasonable manner from a valuation standpoint for Cigna shareholders.”
