SPOTLIGHT -
Richard Payerchin is editor of Medical Economics.
President Biden orders actions to protect abortion rights
HHS to lead campaign with Attorney General and Federal Trade Commission for access and accurate information.
June brings increase in health care employment, but figures still lower than before pandemic
Ambulatory health, hospitals, home health care, nursing facilities all post gains.
Feds net $5 billion in health care fraud judgments, settlements last year
HHS, Department of Justice lead investigations of fraud and abuse.
North Korean hackers are cybersecurity threat to U.S. health care organizations, feds say
“Maui” ransomware is not about booking a Hawaiian getaway.
FDA expands Paxlovid prescription authority to pharmacists to combat COVID-19
Oral antiviral pills may help adults and children avoid hospitalization and death.
Age discrimination may be taking toll on health of older adults across U.S.
Study examines links between physical and mental health and experiences with ageism.
JUUL e-cigarettes ban on hold, but FDA still not allowing sales
Regulatory agency’s “marketing denial order” moves to court.
Medical groups criticize Supreme Court ruling on EPA power over air quality
AMA, ATS, other organizations advocated for regulation over “global threat” of climate change.
Teaching health centers score $155M in grants for resident training in primary care
HHS announces awards for facilities in rural and underserved communities across the nation.
Supreme Court abortion ruling prompts HHS privacy guidance, training grants
Regulators remind physicians they are bound by federal privacy rules, but cell phones and apps are not.
HHS orders at least 105 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine for fall
Purchase follows FDA recommendation to include Omicron component in boosters.
Study identifies six overarching themes in physician suicides
Access to primary care a key solution to help burnout, researchers said.
Family physicians want federal plan to transition out of COVID-19 public health emergency
AAFP praises pandemic flexibilities and recommends future policies on vaccines, payments, telehealth and more.
Physician residency selection data show racial, ethnic minorities are underrepresented
Specialties have greater proportions of White applicants.
Food insecurity becoming a national health problem that physicians can help
ACP makes six recommendations, including medical screenings, bolstering SNAP food benefits.
Lawsuit claims Facebook wrongly collects patient data through health system, hospital websites
Federal case follows news report about tracker programmed in patient portals.
State of mind counts in examining opioid prescription practices, Supreme Court says
Ruling comes in cases of physicians serving in prison for convictions over prescription drugs.
AHRQ leader: Tough decisions needed to improve U.S. health care system
AHRQ director says agency wants physician input on grappling with access, costs, burnout.
U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v Wade abortion ruling
Bans to take effect or likely in 26 states, according to reproductive rights group.
FDA bans JUUL vaping devices, pods
Medical groups praise decision, but e-cigarette maker could return to U.S. market.
Using EHR data for quality improvement focus of new AHRQ handbook
AHRQ publishes new handbook for primary care health IT advisers, practice facilitators to help improve quality through use of clinical EHR data.
FDA ponders lower nicotine levels to make cigarettes less addictive, easier to quit
Proposal follows announced ban on menthol cigarettes, flavored cigars, and e-cig ban could be coming.
Most patients ‘wasting money’ on vitamin supplements to avoid heart disease, cancer
New medical guidance notes market booms as Americans seek good health in pills.
COVID-19 responses: 11 top performing states
Here are the top 11 states, ranked for their response to COVID-19, with additional rankings in other categories, as measured by The Commonwealth Fund.
Medicare could save billions buying generics through Mark Cuban prescription drug company
Entrepreneur beats prices of supply chain wholesalers, PBMs, pharmacies, and insurers.
COVID-19 responses: 9 states at the bottom
Here are the bottom nine states, ranked for their response to COVID-19, with additional rankings in other categories, as measured by The Commonwealth Fund.
Patients responded to primary care physicians’ messages for COVID-19 vaccinations
Messages addressed vaccine safety, effectiveness, trust.
Addressing physician burnout: 11 solutions for governments and lawmakers
Here are 11 actions the U.S. Surgeon General recommends for federal, state, local and tribal governments to curb physician and medical staff burnout.
Addressing physician burnout: five solutions for health care workers
Here are five actions the U.S. Surgeon General recommends for health care workers to curb physician and medical staff burnout.
HHS: Strong cyber posture crucial for health care organizations
Threat brief outlines steps to improve computer security in health care.