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The US Department of Justice is expected to recommend that marijuana be rescheduled as a Schedule III controlled substance, a classification shared by prescription drugs such as ketamine and Tylenol with codeine. The standard rulemaking process is lengthy, is subject to a public comment period, and could take months to complete. However, rescheduling marijuana will not solve that federal-state conflict, the Congressional Research Service noted in a January 16 brief. States with medical marijuana programs do currently have some federal protections in place via appropriations legislation that restricts the Justice Department from interfering in those programs. The FDA’s scientific and medical evaluation of marijuana did not address products containing plant-derived cannabidiol, commonly known as CBD.

Persons: CNN —, Biden, General Merrick Garland, Joe Biden Organizations: CNN, US Department of Justice, Associated Press, White, Office of Management, US Health, Human Services, Food and Drug, Justice Department, Staff, National Institute on Drug, Delta, National Conference of State Legislatures, Congressional Research Service, CRS Locations: Colorado

☆ Health and Human Services Department opens probe into hack at UnitedHealth’s Change Healthcare
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-13 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailHealth and Human Services Department opens probe into hack at UnitedHealth’s Change HealthcareCNBC's Bertha Coombs joins 'The Exchange' to report the latest on United Health Group's cybersecurity hack.

Persons: Bertha Coombs, United Health Group's Organizations: Health, Human Services Department, United Health

☆ Small practices are struggling to stay afloat 3 weeks after the cyberattack that crippled the US healthcare industry
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-12 | by ( ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

It's been three weeks since a cyberattack on an under-the-radar but critical technology company caused the payments that flow between healthcare providers and insurers to grind to a halt nationwide. The US healthcare system has been crippled by the cyberattack on Change Healthcare, the company owned by UnitedHealth Group that connects healthcare providers and pharmacies to insurers and facilitates 15 billion transactions each year. And some patients can't afford their prescriptions because pharmacies can't process drug coupons. For many healthcare providers, UnitedHealth and the federal government's response to the ongoing crisis has fallen short. Industry groups including the American Hospital Association and American Medical Association urged the federal government to provide emergency financial support to healthcare providers.

Persons: It's, Sarah von Colditz, Von Colditz, she's, von Colditz, greenlit, UnitedHealth, it's, Kate Ecke, wasn't, Ecke, I've, Optum, Keely Helmick, CareOregon, She's, Helmick, I'm, Brittany Goff, she'd, hasn't, Goff, we're, they've, Tiffany Kettermann, Kettermann Organizations: Business, Healthcare, UnitedHealth Group, US Justice Department, American Hospital Association, American Medical Association, US Health, Human Services Department, Unconventional, HHS, Zen Psychological, Health Allies, Covid Locations: Astoria , Oregon, New Jersey, Portland , Oregon, Maryland, Shoreline

☆ Opinion | How America’s Two Abortion Realities Are Clashing
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-08 | by ( The Ezra Klein Show | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +65 min

mary zieglerWell, I think it’s much easier to ban abortion than it is to enforce a criminal law against abortion. mary zieglerNo, I think that’s right. If our abortion politics don’t reflect our abortion views, what does that tell us about the health of the democracy? We’ve seen upwards of 10 states — I think it’s 14 or 15 that have changed their definition of abortion in abortion restrictive states since Dobbs. So, the idea is that abortions that are presented as life saving either are not abortions or are simply pretexts for abortion that’s elective.

Persons: ezra klein, Ezra Klein, ”, overturns Roe, Wade, we’ve, Dobbs, Mary Ziegler, mary ziegler, Roe, they’ve, they’re, didn’t, isn’t, —, We’ve, ezra klein Let’s, mifepristone, Z, They’re, mary ziegler That’s, Comstock, hasn’t, it’s, ezra klein There’s, Kate Cox, kate cox, mary ziegler —, she’d, there’s, you’ll, don’t, you’re, You’re, That’s, I’ve, I’m, they’ll, Ezra, you’ve, that’s, There’s, what’s, Joe Biden, Bill Clinton, You’ve, It’s, Lindsey Graham, Chuck Schumer, Hakeem Jeffries, Trump, mary ziegler There’s, Glenn Youngkin, Glenn Youngkin’s, mary ziegler It’s, we’re, Donald Trump, Roger Severino, Gene Hamilton, Hamilton isn’t, He’s, Stephen Miller’s, Jonathan Mitchell, Biden, — there’s, Josh Prager’s, Jennifer Holland, Daniel K, Williams, Wade ”, Linda Greenhouse, Reva Siegel, ezra klein Mary Ziegler Organizations: New York, Alabama, Republican, U.S, Supreme, for Life, Environmental Protection Agency, mifepristone, and Drug Administration, Republicans, State, Washington State Patrol, Democratic, Catholic Democrat, Wall Street, Act, Virginia Republicans, Republican Party, Leadership, Heritage Foundation, Health, Human Services Department, Trump, Washington Post, New York Times, HHS, Human Services, Department of Justice, Court Locations: Alabama, America, St, Louis , Missouri, East St, Louis , Illinois, Dobbs, Ohio, United States, Texas, mary ziegler — Texas, Kansas, Austin, Houston, Dallas, Florida, Miami, Jacksonville, Tampa, New York, California, Vermont, New Jersey, Missouri, Idaho, Virginia, Colorado, Roe

☆ Cyberattack Paralyzes the Largest U.S. Health Care Payment System
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-05 | by ( Reed Abelson | Julie Creswell | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

An urgent care chain in Ohio may be forced to stop paying rent and other bills to cover salaries. In Florida, a cancer center is racing to find money for chemotherapy drugs to avoid delaying critical treatments for its patients. These are just a few examples of the severe cash squeeze facing medical care providers — from large hospital networks to the smallest of clinics — in the aftermath of a cyberattack two weeks ago that paralyzed the largest U.S. billing and payment system in the country. They also urged health insurers to waive or relax the much-criticized rules imposing prior authorization that have become impediments to receiving care. And they recommended that insurers offering private Medicare plans also supply advanced funding.

Organizations: Change Healthcare, UnitedHealth, Human Services Department Locations: Ohio, Florida, Pennsylvania

☆ Biden criticizes US companies for keeping raised prices high 'even as inflation has come down'
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

President Biden criticized companies that have failed to bring prices down even as inflation eases. The White House has blamed inflation on issues like supply chain disruptions and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The president also said companies that are taking advantage of inflation to boost profits are "price gouging." The Commerce Department has developed new tools to assess risks to the supply chain and has partnered with the Energy Department on the supply of renewable energy resources. The supply chain group is co-chaired by Lael Brainard, the White House National Economic Council director, and Jake Sullivan, the White House national security adviser.

Persons: Biden, —, Joe Biden, we've, Democrat Biden, Lael Brainard, Jake Sullivan Organizations: Service, Monday, Democrat, Human Services Department, Cabinet, The Commerce Department, Energy Department, Shipping, Transportation Department, White, National Economic Council, White House, White House Council, Economic Advisers, National Intelligence, Management, Science, Technology Locations: Ukraine, United States, U.S

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Monday will convene the first meeting of his supply chain resilience council, using the event to announce 30 actions to improve access to medicine and needed economic data and other programs tied to the production and shipment of goods. “We’re determined to keep working to bring down prices for American consumers and ensure the resilience of our supply chains for the future,” said Lael Brainard, director of the White House National Economic Council and a co-chair of the new supply chain council. The announcement comes after supply chain problems fueled higher inflation as the United States recovered from the coronavirus pandemic in 2021. The Commerce Department has developed new tools to assess risks to the supply chain and has partnered with the Energy Department on the supply of renewable energy resources. Political Cartoons View All 1265 ImagesBesides Brainard, the council will be co-chaired by Jake Sullivan, the White House national security adviser.

Persons: Joe Biden, “ We’re, ”, Lael Brainard, Biden, Brainard, Jake Sullivan Organizations: WASHINGTON, White, National Economic Council, Democrat, Human Services Department, Cabinet, The Commerce Department, Energy Department, Shipping, Transportation Department, White House, White House Council, Economic Advisers, National Intelligence, Management, Science, Technology Locations: United States, U.S

☆ Biden will convene his new supply chain council and announce 30 steps to strengthen U.S. logistics
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

U.S. President Joe Biden listens during a meeting with his administration's Supply Chain Disruptions Task Force and private sector CEOs in the South Court Auditorium of the White House December 22, 2021 in Washington, DC. "We're determined to keep working to bring down prices for American consumers and ensure the resilience of our supply chains for the future," said Lael Brainard, director of the White House National Economic Council and a co-chair of the new supply chain council. The announcement comes after supply chain problems fueled higher inflation as the United States recovered from the coronavirus pandemic in 2021. The Commerce Department has developed new tools to assess risks to the supply chain and has partnered with the Energy Department on the supply of renewable energy resources. Besides Brainard, the council will be co-chaired by Jake Sullivan, the White House national security adviser.

Persons: Joe Biden, We're, Lael Brainard, Biden, Brainard, Jake Sullivan Organizations: Force, White, National Economic Council, Democrat, Human Services Department, Cabinet, The Commerce Department, Energy Department, Shipping, Transportation Department, White House, White House Council, Economic Advisers, National Intelligence, Management, Science, Technology Locations: Washington , DC, United States, U.S

☆ Elizabeth Warren Has an ObamaCare Epiphany
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-25 | by ( The Editorial Board | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Journal Editorial Report: The week’s best and worst from Kim Strassel, Kyle Peterson, Mary O'Grady and Dan Henninger. Images: AP/AFP/Getty Images/Reuters/Zuma Press Composite: Mark KellyIt took 13 years, but Elizabeth Warren is at long last acknowledging that ObamaCare has increased healthcare prices and industry consolidation. Government price controls and profit caps have resulted in unintended consequences. The Massachusetts Senator and Republican Sen. Mike Braun of Indiana this week wrote a letter to the Health and Human Services Department inspector general complaining that the nation’s largest health insurers are dodging Obama Care’s medical loss ratio (MLR). The result, they say, is higher costs for patients.

Persons: Kim Strassel, Kyle Peterson, Mary O'Grady, Dan Henninger, Mark Kelly, Elizabeth Warren, ObamaCare, Republican Sen, Mike Braun, Obama Organizations: Getty, Zuma, Republican, Health, Human Services Department Locations: Massachusetts, Indiana

☆ A $1 burrito promotion at Northwestern backfires explosively after a norovirus outbreak
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( Jake Swearingen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

An outbreak of norovirus among the students at Northwestern is tied to a $1 burrito promotion. The Evanston Department of Health say the outbreak is linked to Big Wig Tacos & Burritos. The $1 burrito promotion offered by local "no-frills" Mexican restaurant Big Wig Tacos & Burritos on November 18 has reportedly triggered a minor outbreak of norovirus among Northwestern University's student body. With Big Wig Tacos & Burritos' cooperation, investigators are working to pinpoint the specific origin of the contamination. Big Wig Tacos & Burritos did not respond to a request for comment.

Persons: —, undergrads, Burritos Organizations: Northwestern, Evanston Department, Health, Burritos, Service, Evanston, Human Services Department, Authorities Locations: Evanston

☆ Congress just found the dumbest way to avoid a government shutdown
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( Brent D. Griffiths | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Congress now appears likely to avoid a government shutdown this week. The White House even weighed in over the weekend before House Democrats started to warm up to Johnson's plan. Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas didn't stop Obamacare. And Republican Sen. Rand Paul's colleagues tore into him after he forced a brief shutdown in 2018. As I was writing this story about how Johnson's plan is the dumbest thing Congress has done, Sen. Bernie Sanders had to stop one of his colleagues from throwing down with a union boss.

Persons: —, America's, Mike Johnson, Democratic Sen, Patty Murray, Sen, Susan Collins of, Collins, Chris Murphy, It's, Joe Biden, Kevin McCarthy's, Mick Mulvaney, Obama, Republican Sen, Ted Cruz, Obamacare, Donald Trump didn't, Rand Paul's, Bernie Sanders, Kevin McCarthy Organizations: Service, Government, Pentagon, State, Justice, Human Services, House Democrats, Democratic, Senate, Republican, Connecticut Democrat, White House, GOP, Politico, Trump Locations: Washington, Susan Collins of Maine, Punchbowl, Connecticut, Ted Cruz of Texas

Such recruitment-based adoptions are the most difficult to carry out, social workers say. Gonzaga, who worked with his wife Heather Setrakian at eharmony and then on the Family-Match algorithm, referred questions to Ramirez. Social workers say Family-Match works like this: Adults seeking to adopt submit survey responses via the algorithm’s online platform, and foster parents or social workers input each child’s information. Adoption-Share is part of a small cadre of organizations that say their algorithms can help social workers place children with foster or adoptive families. “It’s wasted time for social workers and wasted emotional experiences for children.”___Contact AP’s global investigative team at Investigative@ap.org or https://www.ap.org/tips/

Persons: –, Thea Ramirez, Ramirez, ” Ramirez, “ There’s, ”, Bonni Goodwin, “, Gian Gonzaga, Gonzaga, Heather Setrakian, Setrakian, Kristen Berry, ” Berry, Melania Trump, Virginia’s, Terry McAuliffe, Traci Jones, ” Jones, Virginia, Kylie Winton, Scott Stevens, Stevens, ” Jenn Petion, Petion, ” Petion, Fort, Bree Bofill, ” Bofill, Bofill, Ramirez didn’t, Ramirez wouldn’t, Suresh Venkatasubramanian, Biden, Connie, didn’t, We’ve, “ It’s Organizations: Associated Press, AP, University of Oklahoma, American Enterprise Institute, Democrat, ”, Virginia Department of Social Services, Georgia Department of Human Services, FamiliesFirst, Family, Family Support, Fort Myers, Children’s Network of Southwest, Miami, Care, Winton, AS GUINEA, Tennessee Department of Children’s Services, Tennessee, Biden White, Science, Technology, Brown University, U.S . Health, Human Services Department, Florida Department of Health, Health Locations: Virginia, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, Brunswick , Georgia, eharmony, Pensacola, Jacksonville, Children’s Network of Southwest Florida, Virginia , Georgia, New York City , Delaware, Missouri, Investigative@ap.org

☆ AI is helping the healthcare industry cut wait times for patients and save thousands of hours on data retrieval. Here's how it could come to a doctor or hospital near you.
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( Sindhu Sundar | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

AI can help insurers navigate patient records much faster, one automation company said. In New Mexico, AI helped parents access newborns' coverage within minutes, an official said. Healthcare companies can use AI-led automation to speed up the work of customer-service agents. Get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in business, from Wall Street to Silicon Valley — delivered daily. "I hope that AI will make healthcare more accessible to the consumer and make healthcare itself more sustainable for professionals," Chow of Automation Anywhere said.

Persons: Yan Chow, Chow, there's, Humana, Allie, Forbes, Sam Altman, it's, Shanita Harrison, Harrison Organizations: Healthcare, Service, Humana, Kaiser Permanente, Chow . Healthcare, New Mexico Human Services Department, IBM, SS, New, New York Times, Amazon Web Services Locations: New Mexico, Wall, Silicon, Kaiser

☆ New Covid vaccines are coming to the U.S. this fall, but uptake may be low — Here’s why
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-29 | by ( Annika Kim Constantino | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Regardless of that shift, experts say vaccine uptake may not look much different from that of the bivalent boosters. Pandemic fatigue, confusionFatigue over the pandemic and the general belief that Covid is "over" could potentially hinder the uptake of new shots this fall, experts said. Ipsos and Axios released a survey with similar findings in May, the same month the U.S. ended the national Covid public health emergency amid a downward trend in cases, hospitalizations and deaths. "That contrasts with what we've seen in the past where there are different vaccines, different timing, different age groups and something new to consider every few months." Advisors to the FDA have raised concerns about shifting to yearly Covid vaccines, noting that it's unclear if the virus is seasonal like the flu.

Persons: Antonio Perez, Axios, isn't, Dr, Kartik Cherabuddi, Brad Pollock, Pollock, they're, Ashley McGee, Justin Sullivan, CDC hasn't, Covid, KFF's Kates, Michael Nagle, Kates, we've Organizations: Chicago CVS, Tribune, Service, Getty Images Pfizer, Moderna, Pfizer, Gallup, University of Florida, CNBC, UC Davis Health's, Safeway, CDC, Food and Drug Administration, Health, Human Services Department, FDA, Xinhua News Agency, Getty Locations: Chicago, U.S, San Rafael , California, New York, United States

☆ Nearly 3 million people cut from Medicaid coverage even though many might still be eligible
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Nearly 3 million people have been kicked off Medicaid since Covid-19 pandemic protections expired in April, with three-quarters of those individuals losing coverage despite the fact that they may still be eligible for the public health insurance program, according to data from health researcher KFF. Medicaid is the public health insurance program for lower income individuals and families. Half a million people have lost their coverage in Texas, 81% of whom had their insurance terminated because they did not complete the renewal process. In Florida, 300,000 people lost coverage, 65% of whom did not complete the paperwork. Still, nearly 7 million people might lose Medicaid coverage even though they remain eligible for the program, according to HHS.

Persons: Graham, Cassidy Organizations: Democrats, Republicans, Medicaid, D.C, Human Services Department, HHS Locations: Washington, Texas, Florida, California, New York

☆ Johnson & Johnson sues Biden administration over Medicare drug price negotiations
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( Annika Kim Constantino | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Johnson & Johnson on Tuesday sued the Biden administration over Medicare's new powers to slash drug prices, making it the third pharmaceutical company to challenge the controversial provision of the Inflation Reduction Act. The lawsuit filed in federal district court in New Jersey argues the Medicare negotiations violate the First and Fifth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution. J&J also argues that the new provision forces the company to agree that the federal government is negotiating fair drug prices. The company believes the provision doesn't involve true negotiations since the government "unilaterally dictates" drug prices. HHS said in a statement it will "vigorously defend the President's drug price negotiation law, which is already helping to lower health care costs for seniors and people with disabilities."

Persons: Johnson, drugmakers Merck, Joe Biden's, J, Xavier Becerra Organizations: Biden, U.S . Constitution, Bristol Myers Squibb, U.S . Chamber of Commerce, PhRMA, . Health, Human Services Department, Medicare, Services, HHS Locations: New Jersey, U.S ., United States, Xarelto

☆ Biden administration to provide free Covid vaccines to uninsured Americans this fall through end of 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-13 | by ( Annika Kim Constantino | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The Biden administration on Thursday announced a program to provide free Covid vaccines to uninsured Americans through December 2024 after the federal government's supply of shots runs out this fall. Those free shots, which the government is purchasing at a discount, will be available to the uninsured at pharmacies and 64 state and local health departments. There are between 25 to 30 million uninsured adults in the United States and other Americans whose insurance will not cover free Covid products this fall, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In the fall, the companies will begin selling shots directly to health providers, and the government's supply is expected to run out. Earlier this year, the World Health Organization declared an end to the global Covid public health emergency earlier this year.

Persons: Biden Organizations: Pfizer, BioNTech, Peabody Institute Library, The, Human Services Department, for Disease Control, Moderna, World Health Organization, HHS Locations: Peabody , Massachusetts, United States, Novavax

☆ Bristol Myers Squibb sues Biden administration over Medicare drug negotiations in third such lawsuit
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-16 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Bristol Myers Squibb on Friday sued the Biden administration over Medicare's new powers to slash drug prices, the third such lawsuit to be filed against the program in a matter of days. The lawsuit filed in federal district court in New Jersey argues the Medicare negotiations violate the First and Fifth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution. Bristol Myers Squibb's arguments mirror those lodged last week by Merck , the first company to sue the federal government over the drug negotiations. The law is the central pillar in the Biden administration's efforts to control rising drug prices and was a major victory for the Democratic Party. Bristol Myers Squibb said its blood thinner Eliquis, used to treat clots and strokes, will be subject to the negotiations this year.

Persons: Bristol Myers Squibb, Bristol Myers, Biden Organizations: Bristol Myers Squibb, Biden, U.S . Constitution, Bristol, Human Services Department, Merck, U.S . Chamber of Commerce, HHS, Democratic Party Locations: New Jersey, U.S ., Eliquis

☆ Bernie Sanders says price of Alzheimer's treatment is unconscionable, calls on HHS to take action
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-07 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Sen. Bernie Sanders on Wednesday called on the U.S. Health and Human Services Department to take action to ensure seniors can actually afford the expensive Alzheimer's treatment Leqembi. Sanders, who chairs the Senate Health Committee, in a letter to HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra called the $26,500 annual price tag for Leqembi set by drugmakers Eisai and Biogen "unconscionable." Sanders said the "outrageously high price" of Leqembi "will prevent seniors who need this drug from receiving treatment." Most Medicare patients suffering from Alzheimer's would not be able to afford the 20% co-payment of more than $5,000 a year for Leqembi, Sanders said. Co-payments, along with coinsurance and deductibles, are medication and health services costs that patients must personally pay for out of pocket, as opposed to being covered by their health insurance.

Persons: Sen, Bernie Sanders, Sanders, Xavier Becerra, drugmakers Eisai, Becerra, Mr Organizations: U.S, Capitol, U.S . Health, Human Services Department, Health, Medicare, HHS, Services, Leqembi, Democratic, Senate, Clinical Locations: Washington , DC, Vermont

☆ FDA grants full approval to Pfizer Covid treatment Paxlovid for high-risk adults
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-25 | by ( Annika Kim Constantino | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday granted full approval to Pfizer's Covid antiviral pill, Paxlovid, for adults who are at high risk of getting severely sick with the virus. The FDA first made Paxlovid available in December 2021 under emergency use authorization for high-risk individuals ages 12 and up. Both Pfizer and the FDA view the treatment as an important complementary tool to vaccination that can help high-risk Americans manage their Covid infections and ultimately save lives. For some doctors, another area of concern is Paxlovid "rebound cases." That's when patients who take the treatment see their Covid symptoms return or test positive shortly after they initially recover.

☆ AI 'digital workers' are cutting tasks that used to take a month down to 10 minutes in New Mexico. Employees love it.
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-14 | by ( Sindhu Sundar | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

A number of birthing centers, Indian Health Service clinics, and Indian Health Service hospitals also use the "baby bot" process. Together, the bots and automation are expected to save more than 100,000 human worker hours each year, the New Mexico Human Services Department told Insider. The New Mexico Human Services Department has also been expanding its use of automation into other areas. In New Mexico, "digital workers" are programmed to execute a range of tasks and are assigned times in which to complete them. The "brainy bot" process also uses IBM AI technology, and it's run on a Salesforce platform, she said.

☆ Gilead Sciences didn't violate government patents on HIV prevention treatment, jury finds
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-09 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The logo of Gilead Sciences pharmaceutical company is seen in Oceanside, California, April 29, 2020. A Delaware jury on Tuesday cleared Gilead Sciences of U.S. government allegations that it violated patents held by the Centers for Disease and Prevention on an HIV prevention drug. The U.S. government had sued Gilead in 2019 arguing that the company was profiting off CDC patents through the company's sales of Truvada and Descovy, oral medications taken to prevent HIV infection. But the jury found that the government's patent claims on an HIV prevention regimen called pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, were not valid after a multiday trial in federal court. "Today's decision confirms our longstanding belief that we have always had the rights to make Truvada and Descovy for PrEP available to all who need it," Gilead general counsel Deb Telman said in a statement Tuesday.

☆ Biden will end Covid vaccine mandates for federal workers and international travelers on May 11
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The Biden administration will end its Covid-19 vaccine mandates for federal employees, contractors and international air travelers next week. The White House said in a statement Monday that those vaccine requirements will end on May 11, the same day the Covid public health emergency expires. The Health and Human Services Department also will start phasing out its vaccine mandate for health-care facilities that participate in Medicare and Medicaid, the White House said. In addition, it will end vaccination requirements for Head Start programs. And the Department of Homeland Security will lift vaccination requirements for people entering the U.S via its land borders with Canada and Mexico, according to the Biden administration.

☆ Senate legislation would cap insulin at $35 per month for people with private insurance
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-21 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

In this photo illustration, insulin pens manufactured by the Novo Nordisk company are displayed on March 14, 2023 in Miami, Florida. Bipartisan Senate legislation introduced Friday would cap the price of insulin at $35 per month for people with private insurance. Biden's Inflation Reduction Act, which became law last year, capped the price of insulin at $35 a month for seniors on Medicare. More than 2 million patients with diabetes who take insulin are privately insured, according to the Health and Human Services Department. In March, Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk and Sanofi announced they would slash prices of their most widely used insulin products in response to growing public pressure to address rising costs.

☆ Millions will start losing Medicaid coverage as Covid safety net is dismantled
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-31 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Congress basically barred states from terminating Medicaid coverage during the pandemic through the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. Congress slipped a provision in federal spending legislation in December that allows states to start disenrolling people on April 1. Although some states will start terminating coverage in April, others are waiting until May, June, July and October before they do so. A list of when all 50 states will start ending coverage is below. Click here for a list of when states will have their first round Medicaid coverage terminations.

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