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☆ The Biden administration is negotiating lower prices for 10 medications with drug manufacturers
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-04 | by ( Noah Sheidlower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

AdvertisementAdvertisementThe Biden administration announced Tuesday it is beginning talks with drug makers behind 10 expensive medications to lower prices for recipients of Medicare, the national health insurance program for older Americans and people with disability status. The negotiations are expected to last until 2024, with the lower prices expected to go into effect in 2026. The Congressional Budget Office "estimated that price negotiation will lower average drug prices paid by Medicare and will reduce the budget deficit by $25 billion in 2031." "Negotiating provides us a critical tool to ensure they get those prescription drugs at lower prices – just as the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has done for years." AdvertisementAdvertisementThe Biden administration has recently taken aim at high drug prices and high profits at pharmaceutical companies.

Persons: —, Biden, Juliette Cubanski, Harris, Xavier Becerra, Jardiance, Eli Lilly Organizations: Service, Congressional, Medicare, Biden, Harris Administration, Human Services, U.S . Department of Veterans Affairs, HHS, Centers, Services

☆ About 4 mln Americans got their updated COVID vaccines in Sept.
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

[1/2] An exterior view of the United States Health and Human Services Building on C Street Soutwest in Washington, U.S., July 29, 2019. REUTERS/Tom Brenner/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsOct 4 (Reuters) - Around 4 million Americans received the updated COVID-19 vaccines in September, according to a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, even as some have found it difficult to book appointments or pay for the vaccines. "The Biden-Harris Administration, through HHS, has been working directly with manufacturers and distributors to ensure that the vaccines are getting to pharmacies, hospitals, clinics, and other vaccination sites, including long-term care facilities as quickly as possible," the spokesperson said in an emailed statement. Reporting by Michael ErmanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Tom Brenner, Harris, Michael Erman Organizations: United States Health, Human, REUTERS, U.S . Department of Health, Human Services, Biden, Harris Administration, HHS, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S

☆ About 4 Million Americans Got Their Updated COVID Vaccines in Sept
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-04 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: 1 min

(Reuters) - Around 4 million Americans received the updated COVID-19 vaccines in September, according to a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, even as some have found it difficult to book appointments or pay for the vaccines. "The Biden-Harris Administration, through HHS, has been working directly with manufacturers and distributors to ensure that the vaccines are getting to pharmacies, hospitals, clinics, and other vaccination sites, including long-term care facilities as quickly as possible," the spokesperson said in an emailed statement.

Persons: Harris Organizations: Reuters, U.S . Department of Health, Human Services, Biden, Harris Administration, HHS

REUTERS/Erica Dischino/ File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 27 (Reuters) - A U.S. Senate committee on Wednesday voted to advance a marijuana banking bill, raising hopes for the cash-dependent cannabis sector to get access to regular banking services. The Secure and Fair Enforcement Regulation Banking Act (SAFER) bill, introduced by a bipartisan group of senators last week, will now move to the Senate floor. Shares of SNDL (SNDL.O), Trulieve Cannabis (TRUL.CD), Cronos Group (CRON.TO), rose between 1% and 3% following the vote. An earlier version of the bill, the SAFE Banking Act, had failed to secure a Senate vote despite the House of Representatives passing it seven times. "Realizing this first vote out of the Senate signals strong bipartisan support from both chambers of Congress," said Trulieve CEO Kim Rivers.

Persons: Erica Dischino, Kim Rivers, Arunima Kumar, Sourasis Bose, Sriraj Organizations: Red, REUTERS, U.S, Cronos, Cannabis ETF, Holdings, SAFE, U.S . Department of Health, Human Services, Drug Enforcement Agency, Thomson Locations: Red Lake, Red Lake , Minnesota, U.S, Bengaluru

☆ US government restarts delivery of free COVID tests
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

People walk next to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) testing sites in New York City, New York, U.S., December 12, 2022. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 20 (Reuters) - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said on Wednesday it will deliver COVID-19 tests for free to households across the country. Beginning Sept. 25, households will again be able to order four free tests through COVIDTests.gov, the health agency said, adding that the tests can detect currently circulating COVID-19 variants and are intended for use through the end of 2023. HHS also announced an investment of $600 million in 12 domestic COVID-19 test manufacturers. Reporting by Mariam Sunny and Seher Dareen in Bengaluru; Editing by Shounak DasguptaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Eduardo Munoz, Mariam Sunny, Seher, Shounak Dasgupta Organizations: REUTERS, U.S . Department of Health, Human Services, HHS, Thomson Locations: New York City , New York, U.S, Bengaluru

Twelve manufacturers that employ hundreds of people in seven states have been awarded funding and will produce 200 million over-the-counter tests to replenish federal stockpiles for government use, in addition to producing enough tests to meet demand for tests ordered online, the department said. Federal officials said that will help guard against supply chain issues that sparked some shortages of at-home COVID tests made overseas during past surges in coronavirus cases. Political Cartoons View All 1171 ImagesThe tests are designed to detect COVID variants currently circulating, and are intended for use by the end of the year. Postal Service provided more than 755 million tests for free to homes nationwide. O’Connell said manufacturers would be able to spread out the 200 million tests they will produce for federal use over 18 months.

Persons: —, Dawn O’Connell, ” O'Connell, Grandma, O’Connell, “ We’ve, COVID’s, O'Connell, there’s, “ we’re, “, Xavier Becerra, Biden, Harris, Becerra Organizations: WASHINGTON, Biden, of Health, Human Services, United States Postal Service, Federal, HHS, U.S . Postal Service, Harris Administration Locations: U.S

☆ Many older Americans who will need long-term care won't be able to afford insurance
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-16 | by ( Eva Rothenberg | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

“Living a long life is something that many of us want and could get,” said Jesse Slome, executive director of the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance, an insurance education group. “But when we live a long life, the chances of us needing long-term care increase exponentially. Insurance is an option for someLong-term care insurance, a very niche and complex market, has traditionally been an option for those able to buy policies, but it is far from the norm. “The population of seniors who buy long-term care insurance constitutes a segment of the population who are healthier and their longevity is likely different than the nation as a whole,” said Slome. “Our concern is that … it will get even more expensive for those who have had the modest resources to access long-term care insurance to be able to afford it,” she noted.

Persons: ”, Jesse Slome, Jason Hopper, Ramsey Alwin Organizations: CNN, American Association for, Care Insurance, of Health, Human Services, Insurance, HHS, National Council, Aging, Washington Locations: United States, American, Washington, Pennsylvania, California, New York

☆ US Declares Public Health Emergency in Georgia After Hurricane Idalia
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( Sept. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

(Reuters) - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on Wednesday declared a public health emergency (PHE) for the state of Georgia to deal with the ramifications of Hurricane Idalia. The hurricane hit Florida's Gulf Coast in late August with fierce winds, torrential rains and pounding surf before turning to southeastern Georgia, where floodwater trapped some residents in their homes. With the PHE declaration, healthcare providers and suppliers will have greater flexibility in meeting emergency needs of people covered by the Medicare and Medicaid health plans, the HHS said. "We are working closely with state and local health authorities, as well as our partners across the federal government, and stand ready to provide additional public health and medical support," said health secretary Xavier Becerra. The declaration waives certain requirements such as physicians or other healthcare professionals needing to hold licenses in the state in which they provide services.

Persons: floodwater, Xavier Becerra, Christy Santhosh, Rahul Paswan, Krishna Chandra Eluri Organizations: Reuters, U.S . Department of Health, Human Services, Wednesday, HHS Locations: Georgia, Coast, Bengaluru

☆ Cannabis ETFs boom as HHS recommendation to ease restrictions raises hopes for federal reform
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( Stefan Sykes | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

An employee of Aurora Deutschland GmbH, a manufacturer of medical Cannabis products, inspects a flowering Cannabis plant in a greenhouse in Leuna, Germany September 11, 2023. Marijuana-related ETFs are soaring in September as investors flood back into the sector after months of waning interest. It marked a swift turnaround for a quasi-legal industry curtailed by the anemic pace of federal reform. Last month's announcement also sent shares of several cannabis companies higher, including Canopy Growth, Tilray Brands and Cronos Group. At the time of the closure announcement, fund co-founder Morgan Paxhia told CNBC that it was not "immune to the broader macroeconomic environment and, more specifically, the dramatic shift in investor sentiment that has impacted the cannabis industry."

Persons: Canaccord, Matt Bottomley, Morgan Paxhia Organizations: Aurora Deutschland GmbH, U.S . Department of Health, Human Services, Dow Jones Industrial, Dow, Tilray Brands, Cronos Group, Marijuana, CNBC Locations: Leuna, Germany

☆ Cannabis ETFs are off to a strong September. Will the buzz last?
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-09 | by ( Kevin Schmidt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

"We've seen most cannabis ETFs rally over 30% since the news broke last week on this recommendation," Amplify ETFs CEO Christian Magoon told CNBC's Courtney Reagan on "ETF Edge" on Wednesday. The Roundhill Cannabis ETF (WEED) has soared nearly 71% since the announcement, while the AdvisorShares Pure US Cannabis ETF (MSOS ) and AdvisorShares Pure Cannabis ETF (YOLO) have jumped 64% and 45%, respectively. "Consumer packaged goods and pharmaceutical companies are going to be able to now look at these cannabis companies as M&A targets to partner with them." "The great thing about the ETF industry is there's a lot of opportunity," Lydon said in the same interview on Wednesday. Lydon pointed out that Amplify ETFs holds a great "first mover advantage" with its pair of cannabis-based funds.

Persons: Christian Magoon, CNBC's Courtney Reagan, Magoon, marijuana's, Tom Lydon, Lydon Organizations: Cannabis ETF, U.S . Department of Health, Human Services, HHS, DEA, Cannabis, VettaFi Locations: YOLO

The insurer said the rule, which would apply retroactively, was "arbitrary and capricious," and threatened "unpredictable consequences for Medicare Advantage organizations and the millions of seniors who rely on the Medicare Advantage program for their healthcare." Close to half of the approximately 65 million Medicare enrollees sign up for Medicare Advantage. Medicare Advantage plans differ from traditional Medicare because private companies offer them, and are reimbursed by the government for care. Though Humana is based in Louisville, Kentucky, it filed its lawsuit with the U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Texas. The case is Humana Inc et al v Becerra et al, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas, No.

Persons: Andrew Kelly, Humana, Biden, Xavier Becerra, District Judge Reed O'Connor, Becerra, Jonathan Stempel, Leroy Leo, Richard Chang Organizations: Humana Inc, REUTERS, U.S, overcharges, Medicare, Services, Jan, U.S . Department of Health, Human Services, CMS, Northern District of Texas, District, Fort, Affordable, Court, Northern District of, Thomson Locations: Queens , New York City, U.S, Louisville , Kentucky, Northern District, Northern District of Texas, New York, Bengaluru

☆ Judge withdraws from Medicare drug price case after stock ownership is revealed
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, right, shakes hands with Judge Thomas Rose of the U.S. District Court Southern District of Ohio after taking his oath of office, Monday, Jan. 14, 2019, in Cedarville, Ohio. A federal judge on Friday withdrew from a case that could block Medicare from negotiating over drug prices, just hours after a watchdog group revealed his ownership of stock in two pharmaceutical companies that would be directly impacted by the new program. He also owns Moderna stock worth between $15,000 and $50,000, the filing shows. The suit asked the court to rule that for Medicare to negotiate drug prices would be unconstitutional. Merck, Bristol Myers Squibb, Johnson & Johnson, Boehringer Ingelheim, AstraZeneca and the drugmaker lobby PhRMA have all filed complaints in different districts courts.

Persons: Mike DeWine, Judge Thomas Rose, Judge Thomas M, Rose, Biden, George W, Bush, Johnson, Boehringer Ingelheim, Robert Davis, Davis Organizations: U.S, District Court Southern District of Ohio, Southern, Southern District of Ohio, Johnson, AstraZeneca, Republican, Moderna, U.S . Chamber of Commerce, Department of Health, Human Services, Centers, Medicare, Merck, Bristol Myers Squibb, Court, Circuit Court Locations: Cedarville , Ohio, Southern District

☆ Pot firms surge as US move to ease curbs sparks hopes of legalization
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Shares of cannabis firms Cronos Group (CRON.TO), OrganiGram Holdings (OGI.TO), Aurora Cannabis (ACB.TO), Canopy Growth (WEED.TO) jumped between 6% and 25%. Verano Holdings (VRNO.CD), Green Thumb Industries (GTII.CD), Cresco Labs (CL.CD) and Curaleaf Holdings (CURA.CD) and Goodness Growth (GDNS.CD) rose between 15% and 37%. "Certainly moving cannabis off of Schedule 1 is the right decision and long overdue. The firm held investments in cannabis retailer and producer Green Thumb, and cannabis data platform Flowhub, according to its website. Reporting by Arunima Kumar in Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj KalluvilaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: cagey, Ty Collin, Patrick Rea, Green, Arunima Kumar, Sriraj Organizations: Cronos Group, OrganiGram Holdings, Verano Holdings, Green Thumb Industries, Cresco Labs, Curaleaf Holdings, Cannabis ETF, U.S . Department of Health, Human Services, Drug Enforcement Agency, Banking, Poseidon Garden Ventures, Thomson Locations: U.S, Aurora, Bengaluru

☆ Rescheduling pot will make us significantly more profitable, says Verano CEO George Archos
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

In this videoShare Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailRescheduling pot will make us significantly more profitable, says Verano CEO George ArchosGeorge Archos, Verano CEO, joins 'Fast Money' to talk an HHS official calling for marijuana to be rescheduled and its impact on cannabis stocks.

Persons: George Archos George Archos Organizations: Verano

☆ U.S. health officials want to loosen marijuana restrictions. Here's what it means
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( Stefan Sykes | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Jeenah Moon | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesThis week, the Department of Health and Human Services asked the Drug Enforcement Agency to consider easing restrictions on marijuana upon a review of its classification under the Controlled Substances Act. It could be a significant catalyst for an industry hemmed in by federal regulations even as legalization picks up on the state level. Marijuana is legal in 39 states medically and 23 states recreationally. If marijuana moves down to a Schedule III substance, this will effectively ease a number of restrictions holding the sector back. While many states have legal markets within their borders, transporting Schedule I substances across state lines in illegal, resulting in a glut of marijuana in some states.

Persons: What's, Roth, Scott Fortune, Fortune, Jeff Schultz, Foley Hoag Organizations: ACB, Housing, Cannabis Co, Bloomberg, Getty, Department of Health, Human Services, Drug Enforcement Agency, Aurora, Tilray Brands, DEA, Marijuana, HHS, Regulators, Internal Revenue Locations: New York

☆ Green Thumb Industries CEO talks HHS official's call to reclassify marijuana as low risk
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-30 | 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 EmailGreen Thumb Industries CEO talks HHS official's call to reclassify marijuana as low riskHosted by Brian Sullivan, “Last Call” is a fast-paced, entertaining business show that explores the intersection of money, culture and policy. Tune in Monday through Friday at 7 p.m. ET on CNBC.

Persons: Brian Sullivan, “ Organizations: Thumb, CNBC

☆ American University president on rising college costs: We have to focus on the value proposition
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-30 | 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 EmailAmerican University president on rising college costs: We have to focus on the value propositionSylvia Mathews Burwell, American University president and former HHS Secretary under President Obama, joins 'Squawk Box' to discuss the rising cost of higher education, why college is so expensive, the impact of A.I. in modern classrooms, and more.

Persons: Sylvia Mathews Burwell, Obama Organizations: American University

☆ US health officials look to move marijuana to lower-risk drug category
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Tom Brenner/Pool/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsAug 30 (Reuters) - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has recommended easing restrictions on marijuana, a department spokesperson said on Wednesday, following a review request from the Biden Administration last year. Nearly 40 U.S. states have legalized marijuana use in some form, but it remains completely illegal in some states and at the federal level. The scheduling recommendation for marijuana was provided to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) on Tuesday as part of President Biden's directive to HHS, the spokesperson said. "As part of this process, HHS conducted a scientific and medical evaluation for consideration by DEA. DEA will now initiate its review," a DEA spokesperson said.

Persons: Rachel Levine, Tom Brenner, Biden, Biden's, Karine Jean, Pierre said, Cannabis, George Archos, Sourasis Bose, Mrinalika Roy, Shilpi Majumdar, Shounak Dasgupta, Shailesh Organizations: Department of Health, Human Services, Health, Education, Labor, Capitol, REUTERS, U.S . Department of Health, Drug Enforcement Agency, HHS, DEA, Marijuana, Department of Justice, House Press, Tilray Brands, Cronos, Verano Holdings, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, U.S, United States, Canada, North America, Bengaluru

Beneath the trimmed flower is a tray collecting shake, cannabis flower that has naturally broken down through handling. Marijuana is currently a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act, meaning it's deemed to have no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. The news sent shares of several cannabis companies, including Canopy Growth , Tilray Brands and Cronos Group , jumping Wednesday. "Certainly, moving cannabis off of Schedule 1 is the right decision and long overdue," Rea said in a statement. "Though a full descheduling would be preferred and likely most appropriate for cannabis, we welcome smart decisions and progress towards full legalization and regulation in the legal cannabis industry."

Persons: James Romano, Patrick Rea, Rea Organizations: U.S . Department of Health, Human Services, Drug, Administration, CNBC, Wednesday, Marijuana, Tilray Brands, Cronos, Bloomberg, HHS, DEA, Poseidon Garden Ventures Locations: Medway, U.S

He said that once implemented, the prices on negotiated drugs will decrease for up to 9 million seniors who currently pay as much as $6,497 in out-of-pocket costs per year for these prescriptions. This kicks off the negotiation process for the 10 drugs whose new prices will go into effect in 2026. U.S. laws had prohibited Medicare from negotiating pharmaceutical prices as part of its prescription drug program that began about 20 years ago. CMS Director Dr. Meena Seshamani said Medicare plans to use a review process to make sure insurance companies keep clinically appropriate access to negotiated drugs. Two analysts said they expect the negotiated prices to move beyond Medicare and affect commercial markets for these drugs by 2026, when they come into effect.

Persons: Joe Biden, Jonathan Ernst, Biden, Joe Biden’s, Januvia, Xarelto, Johnson, Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly's, Jardiance, Mohit Bansal, Entresto, Eli Lilly, Merck, Bristol Myers, Giovanni Caforio, Caforio, enrollees, Meena Seshamani, Stelara, Amgen, Evan Seigerman, Patrick Wingrove, Mike Erman, Manas Mishra, Nandita Bose, Caroline Humer, Bill Berkrot Organizations: Social Security, University of Tampa, REUTERS, U.S, Bristol Myers Squibb, Pfizer, Merck, Co's, Johnson, Novo Nordisk, NYSE Arca Pharmaceutical, U.S . Centers, Medicare, Medicaid Services, Reuters Graphics Wells, Novartis, AstraZeneca, Bristol, J, U.S . Department of Health, Human Services, BMO Capital, Thomson Locations: Tampa , Florida, U.S, Amgen's, Jardiance, Germany, Bengaluru, Washington

☆ Covid-19 has changed and so has our immunity. Here’s how to think about risk from the virus now
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-28 | by ( Brenda Goodman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +19 min

So if people are less likely to be hospitalized or die from a Covid-19 infection now, has the danger passed? Through genetic bad luck, some people may just be at higher risk of serious reactions to Covid-19 infections, and they probably wouldn’t know it. Researchers defined it as any new or continuing symptoms more than 90 days after a Covid-19 infection. Based on his experience treating long Covid patients, Griffin said that the percentage reported in the Australian paper seems high. Earlier in the pandemic, pediatric infectious disease specialists were on the lookout for a rare complication of Covid-19 infection in kids called multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, or MIS-C.MIS-C starts two to six weeks after a Covid-19 infection.

Persons: CNN —, we’ve, aren’t, Good, ”, Megan Ranney, Covid, ” Ranney, that’s, Evusheld, haven’t, you’ve, they’re, They’re, Mandy Cohen, It’s, –, Jesse Bloom, Daniel Griffin, it’s ‘, Griffin, “, Peter Chin, Chin, Hong, Nathaniel Hendrix, Hendrix, it’s, hasn’t, she’s, Kristin Englund, shouldn’t, Dr, Sanjay Gupta, “ It’s, Ellie Murray, ” Murray Organizations: CNN, US Centers for Disease Control, Yale School of Public Health, Covid, National Institutes of Health, FDA, US Department of Health, Human Services, CDC, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, HHS, Columbia University, University of California, Census Bureau, Nature Medicine, American Board of Family Medicine, Nature, Veterans Affairs, Cleveland Clinic, CNN Health, Boston University School of Public Health Locations: South Africa, Botswana, United States, China, Seattle, Israel, Denmark, United Kingdom, Portugal, US, Switzerland, Thailand, Australia, San Francisco, Ohio

REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsAug 25 (Reuters) - AstraZeneca (AZN.L) said on Friday it has sued the U.S. government to block parts of a program that gives the Medicare health insurance plan the power to negotiate lower drug prices. The program faces at least seven other court challenges, including from leading industry group PhRMA and drugmakers Johnson & Johnson (JNJ.N), Merck & Co (MRK.N), Bristol Myers Squibb (BMY.N) and privately-held Boehringer Ingelheim. The drug price negotiation program is part of President Joe Biden's signature Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). ‍AstraZeneca said the program would deter continued development of treatments such as its cancer drug Lynparza and rare blood disorder drug Soliris, which carry orphan drug status for multiple conditions. An HHS spokesperson said in a statement that the agency "will vigorously defend the President's drug price negotiation law, which is already helping to lower healthcare costs for seniors and people with disabilities."

Persons: Brendan McDermid, drugmakers Johnson, Johnson, Joe Biden's, AstraZeneca, Bhanvi, Dhanya Ann Thoppil, Shilpi Majumdar Organizations: AstraZeneca, New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, U.S, Merck & Co, Bristol Myers Squibb, U.S . Department of Health, Human Services, Thomson Locations: British, Delaware, United States, U.S, Bengaluru

☆ US govt awards $1.4 bln for development of new COVID therapies, vaccines
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The Regeneron Pharmaceuticals company logo is seen on a building at the company's Westchester campus in Tarrytown, New York, U.S. September 17, 2020. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsCompanies Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc FollowAug 22 (Reuters) - The U.S. government said on Tuesday it had awarded $1.4 billion for the development of new therapies and vaccines against COVID-19, including a $326 million contract with Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (REGN.O) for a next-generation antibody therapy for prevention of infections. The funding to Regeneron is a part of a $5 billion initiative dubbed "Project NextGen" by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The funding also includes $1 billion for four mid-stage clinical trials of new COVID vaccines, and $100 million to Global Health Investment Corp - a non-profit organization that invests in new technologies that will accelerate responses to diseases. Reporting by Pratik Jain in Bengaluru; Editing by Maju SamuelOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, Regeneron, Pratik Jain, Maju Samuel Organizations: Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, REUTERS, U.S, COVID, U.S . Department of Health, Human Services, U.S . Food, Drug Administration, Omicron, Global Health Investment Corp, Thomson Locations: Westchester, Tarrytown , New York, U.S, Bengaluru

☆ The doctors, dentists and anthropologists striving to identify Maui's victims
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-20 | by ( Joseph Ax | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

While the work can be emotionally taxing, DMORT members already confront death in their day jobs as funeral directors, medical examiners and coroners. DNA samples have become a crucial tool; Sebastian said the Maui team has partnered with a company that can process DNA in just hours. But the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks represented a pivot point, when DMORT teams helped city authorities sift through thousands of remains. Wildfires represent a relatively new response area for DMORTs; teams responded to the 2018 Camp fire that killed 85 in California and the 2020 Oregon wildfires. "As we're starting to see this era of 'polycrisis,' making sure we have enough DMORT team members that we can deploy is going to be really important," O'Connell, the senior HHS official, said.

Persons: Mike Blake, it's, Frank Sebastian, Kathryn Pinneri, Sebastian, Paul Sledzik, Sledzik, Dawn O'Connell, I've, DMORTs, Hurricane Maria, David Hunt, I'm, Hunt, O'Connell, Joseph Ax, Paul Thomasch, Diane Craft Organizations: REUTERS, U.S . Department of Health, Human Services, Maui, federal, HHS, World Trade Center, Thomson Locations: Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, U.S, Seattle, United States, hijackings, Montgomery County , Texas, MAUI, Long, Shanksville , Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, New York, Indiana, DMORTs, California, Oregon

☆ 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

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