Tuesday, November 30, 2021

Pharmacists ask CMS to require COVID-19 pill dispensing feePharmacists ask CMS to require COVID-19 pill dispensing feePharmacists ask CMS to require COVID-19 pill dispensing fee

Pharmacists ask CMS to require COVID-19 pill dispensing fee

CMS encourages, but doesn't require, Medicare Part D plans to pay pharmacists for dispensing any COVID-19 oral antivirals the FDA may authorize.



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FDA panel backs first-of-a-kind COVID-19 pill from MerckFDA panel backs first-of-a-kind COVID-19 pill from MerckFDA panel backs first-of-a-kind COVID-19 pill from Merck

FDA panel backs first-of-a-kind COVID-19 pill from Merck

A panel of U.S. health advisers narrowly backed the benefits of a closely watched COVID-19 pill from Merck, setting the stage for a likely authorization of the first drug that Americans could take at home to treat the virus.



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Dallas children's hospital disbands gender-affirming care programDallas children's hospital disbands gender-affirming care programDallas children's hospital disbands gender-affirming care program

Dallas children's hospital disbands gender-affirming care program

The closing of a prominent gender-affirming care program for children in Dallas has dismayed parents across Texas who say that options for their children’s care are few and far between — and they don’t know what comes next for kids who need similar care.



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Health systems reconfigure workforce amid shortagesHealth systems reconfigure workforce amid shortagesHealth systems reconfigure workforce amid shortages

Health systems reconfigure workforce amid shortages

Hospital labor costs continue to rise as nurses leave the profession for higher-paying jobs, requiring providers to reconfigure their workforce.



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Supreme Court hears case on 340B payments Supreme Court hears case on 340B payments Supreme Court hears case on 340B payments

Supreme Court hears case on 340B payments

Provider groups asked the court to reverse a nearly 30% cut in 340B reimbursements CMS initiated in 2018, since the agency didn't research hospitals' average drug acquisition costs.



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HCA to build more hospitals in FloridaHCA to build more hospitals in FloridaHCA to build more hospitals in Florida

HCA to build more hospitals in Florida

The for-profit system has spent $3 billion on hospitals in the Sunshine State over the past three years.



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U.S. tracking of virus variants has improved after slow startU.S. tracking of virus variants has improved after slow startU.S. tracking of virus variants has improved after slow start

U.S. tracking of virus variants has improved after slow start

Relying on $1.7 billion in President Joe Biden’s coronavirus relief bill, the U.S. has been setting up a national network to better track coronavirus mutations.



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Omicron was in Netherlands days earlier than first thoughtOmicron was in Netherlands days earlier than first thoughtOmicron was in Netherlands days earlier than first thought

Omicron was in Netherlands days earlier than first thought

The Netherlands' RIVM health institute found omicron in samples dating from Nov. 19 and 23. The WHO said South Africa first reported the the variant to the U.N. healthy agency on Nov. 24.



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Omicron brings COVID-19 vaccine inequity 'home to roost'Omicron brings COVID-19 vaccine inequity 'home to roost'Omicron brings COVID-19 vaccine inequity 'home to roost'

Omicron brings COVID-19 vaccine inequity 'home to roost'

The hoarding of limited COVID-19 shots by rich countries — creating virtual vaccine deserts in many poorer ones — doesn't just mean risk for the parts of the world seeing shortages; it threatens the entire globe.



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CDC says ages 18 and up should get booster shotCDC says ages 18 and up should get booster shotCDC says ages 18 and up should get booster shot

CDC says ages 18 and up should get booster shot

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Monday broadened its recommendation for COVID-19 booster shots for all adults as the new omicron variant is identified in more countries.



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