About the public’s health
Fauci tells Congress that states face serious consequences if they reopen too quickly: Here is the video of his comments as well as written details. The headline is the bottom line of the message.
The ‘biggest challenge’ won’t come until after a coronavirus vaccine is found: Once a vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 is found, many other problems will prevent widespread dissemination through the supply chains, starting with manufacturing on a massive scale. The article argues we are unprepared to conduct those processes.
Wuhan To Test All 11 Million Residents After New Coronavirus Cases Emerge: “The Chinese city of Wuhan will begin what it is calling "10 days of mass battle" to test all 11 million residents after the discovery of a new cluster of coronavirus cases…” They can test 11 million people? Perhaps we are not the most prepared nation as the President insists.
White House pushes states to test 2 percent of their populations for coronavirus: On the same theme as the above article, this goal would achieve testing for 12.9 million people. Not only is the percent too low, it does not take into account needed retesting. The Wuhan testing is its second round.
Becoming ‘King of Ventilators’ may result in unexpected glut: Due to the ramped up production and changes in treatment protocols, our country has more than enough ventilators, given current disease projections. This article is a good summary of what happened and is happening to supplies of this product.
Identification and Monitoring of International Travelers During the Initial Phase of an Outbreak of COVID-19 — California, February 3–March 17, 2020: This CDC analysis of feasibility and success/failure of traveler screening provides broader insights into this method of disease containment.
”Despite intensive effort, the traveler screening system did not effectively prevent introduction of COVID-19 into California. Incomplete traveler information received by federal officials and transmitted to states, the number of travelers requiring follow-up, and the potential for presymptomatic and asymptomatic transmission likely contributed to onset of community transmission and the need to shift to mitigation measures.”
About health insurance
CMS pitches increase in inpatient rates, new payment category for CAR-T: “The Trump administration proposed changes for acute care and long-term care hospitals Monday, including an approximately 1.6% increase to inpatient hospital stay payments.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the payment adjustment, which could also include potential penalties for excess readmissions. The change is expected to increase total Medicare spending on inpatient hospital services by about $2.1 billion in the fiscal year beginning in October….
The proposed changes also include creating a new hospital payment category for chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy it says would provide a predictable rate to hospitals offering the treatment.”
Florida pharmacists charged in $87M Tricare scheme: The headline is self-explanatory. When was the last time a private payer was hit by such a level of fraud?
About pharma
Association of Treatment With Hydroxychloroquine or Azithromycin With In-Hospital Mortality in Patients With COVID-19 in New York State: Yet another study rebutting effectiveness of this regimen: “Among patients hospitalized with COVID-19, treatment with hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin, or both was not associated with significantly lower in-hospital mortality.”
Gilead inks deals with generics makers to supply COVID-19 therapy remdesivir for 127 countries: “Gilead will work with Cipla, Mylan, Ferozsons Laboratories, Hetero Labs and Jubilant Lifesciences to manufacture the drug primarily for low- and lower-middle income countries. The list also includes higher-income countries "that face significant obstacles to healthcare access…”
About healthcare technology
Mass General Brigham: 12 disruptive innovations in healthcare: “Mass General Brigham named 12 technologies and innovations that will have the most significant effect on healthcare through the end of 2021 based on interviews with Harvard faculty.” Do you agree? What’s on YOUR list?