Friday, February 18, 2022

A mild U.S. flu season is waning, but is it really over?A mild U.S. flu season is waning, but is it really over?A mild U.S. flu season is waning, but is it really over?

A mild U.S. flu season is waning, but is it really over?

This winter's mild flu season has faded to a trickle of cases in much of the U.S., but health officials aren't ready to call it over.



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What New York women's health startups are doing to improve Black maternal morbidityWhat New York women's health startups are doing to improve Black maternal morbidityWhat New York women's health startups are doing to improve Black maternal morbidity

What New York women's health startups are doing to improve Black maternal morbidity

Tech innovations and improved provider/patient education were pegged as sources for optimism.



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Optum launches program to lower specialty drug costs, streamline careOptum launches program to lower specialty drug costs, streamline careOptum launches program to lower specialty drug costs, streamline care

Optum launches program to lower specialty drug costs, streamline care

The Specialty Fusion program will seek to manage pharmacy and medical benefits and navigate prior authorization, using a single platform.



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Judge removes some physicians from Blue Cross Blue Shield antitrust lawsuitJudge removes some physicians from Blue Cross Blue Shield antitrust lawsuitJudge removes some physicians from Blue Cross Blue Shield antitrust lawsuit

Judge removes some physicians from Blue Cross Blue Shield antitrust lawsuit

The wording of previous settlements barred some physicians from recouping damages from ongoing litigation.



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Backlash brews as Walgreens restarts political contributionsBacklash brews as Walgreens restarts political contributionsBacklash brews as Walgreens restarts political contributions

Backlash brews as Walgreens restarts political contributions

The pharmacy chain pledged to halt donations to lawmakers who opposed Biden's certification as president. Walgreens is giving again, and some are not happy about it.



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FCC proposes changes to how it determines Rural Health Care Program rateFCC proposes changes to how it determines Rural Health Care Program rateFCC proposes changes to how it determines Rural Health Care Program rate

FCC proposes changes to how it determines Rural Health Care Program rate

The FCC's proposal would revise how the agency determines the rates that rural healthcare providers pay for telecom services.



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Thursday, February 17, 2022

Medicare paid $6.6 billion in non-hospice care for hospice patientsMedicare paid $6.6 billion in non-hospice care for hospice patientsMedicare paid $6.6 billion in non-hospice care for hospice patients

Medicare paid $6.6 billion in non-hospice care for hospice patients

Federal watchdogs say Medicare may be paying twice for hospice services, and for-profit hospices play a large role.



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FTC votes against investigation into PBM business practicesFTC votes against investigation into PBM business practicesFTC votes against investigation into PBM business practices

FTC votes against investigation into PBM business practices

The Federal Trade Commission voted 2-2 against studying how the business practices of pharmacy benefit managers effect independent pharmacies.



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Lifespan, Care New England Health System merger blocked by FTC, state attorney generalLifespan, Care New England Health System merger blocked by FTC, state attorney generalLifespan, Care New England Health System merger blocked by FTC, state attorney general

Lifespan, Care New England Health System merger blocked by FTC, state attorney general

The merged health system would control at least 70% of the inpatient general acute care and inpatient behavioral health markets.



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Biden admin wants to replace the public charge ruleBiden admin wants to replace the public charge ruleBiden admin wants to replace the public charge rule

Biden admin wants to replace the public charge rule

The Biden adminsitration's version of the rule would not consider Medicaid use during permanent residency determinations.



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