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MedPAC has backed a proposal to reduce the payment rates for hospitals participating in 340B drug pricing. This means these hospitals could purchase the drugs for 10% more than the already low rates paid. This acknowledges the reality that hospitals are using the program to pad their net and not to help patients.
The USPSTF has released a statement of support for screening for depression in adults especially in pregnancy and in the post partum state. Of course they did not recommend the frequency or what the screening should be.
As is usual for the pols in DC they play partisan politics. This time it is not Cruz but the Democrat Senator Ed Markey from the People's Republic of Massachusetts. He is willing to block the nomination of his Chief's FDA Chairman Dr. Robert Califf. His problem is that the FDA has not reversed its decision allowing the pediatric use of OxyContin. He also wants an expert panel to provide advice if an opiod drug is considered as to its risks of addiction. Top
Governor Christie of New Jersey pocket vetoed a law that would have given the municipalities of the state some money from the non profit hospitals. The problem was it may have been seen as a tax and would have not looked good for the Republican presidential candidate. It also would not have given the municipalities much money. The bill would have been that the hospitals would pay $2.50 per bed per day and $250 per day for each satellite emergency care facility.
Hillcrest, California, Vibra Hospital was fined $50,000 by California for medical errors that caused a patient death. The personnel ignored the alarms and electronic beeper notifications after a ventilator had become disconnected. Three people were fired over the case. Top
Hawaii has forgotten the Civil War. They are doing a law which would mandate involuntary servitude by requiring physicians to treat Medicare patients. This would be a requirement to renew the medical license. Top
DISCLAIMER: Although this
article is updated periodically, it reflects the author's point of view at the
time of publication. Nothing in this article constitutes legal advice. Readers
should consult with their own legal counsel before acting on any of the
information presented.