About pharma
A bad Rx for what ails Walgreens (Crain’s Chicago Business- subscription required): This week’s big business news in healthcare is Walgreen’s possible leveraged buyout headed by CEO Stefano Pessina. It would add $55 billion in debt, which some critics think would sink the company under interest payment requirements. In the meantime…
At height of crisis, Walgreens handled nearly one in five of the most addictive opioids: The fact in this headline should be a warning that pharmacy companies might be at risk for the same lawsuits as face wholesalers and manufacturers.
CVS touts strong early performance of first HealthHUB stores: “CEO Larry Merlo said on the company's earnings call Wednesday morning that these concept stores, which dedicate more than 20% of retail space to health services, outperform control retail pharmacies in script volume, MinuteClinic visits, front store sales, foot traffic and store margin.”
Senate fight derails bipartisan drug pricing bills: The bipartisan proposals in the Senate to control drug prices are not straightforward and do not agree with one another. Read this article to sort them out. It is unlikely anything significant will happen soon because of the disparities.
After years-long delay, Novartis' Sandoz finally wins Neulasta biosimilar nod: The availability of this generic should have a significant impact on lowering pharma costs.
Health insurance
10 major cities with the highest, lowest uninsured rates: Interesting list. You may be surprised by the rankings.
Amazon-Berkshire-JPMorgan tests new employee health plan in some states: “JPMorgan is offering 30,000 workers in Ohio and Arizona two insurance plans under Haven Healthcare next year. The plan will be run by Cigna and Aetna…” After much hoopla about these companies innovating health insurance, the “new” product will offer some wellness incentives and be administered by existing plans.
Early Problems as Trump’s Signature Veterans’ Health Plan Rolls Out (NY Times- subscription may be required): The recent Mission Act allows veterans, who need to drive for at least 30 minutes to a VA hospital, to receive primary care and mental health services outside the system. But Optum Public Sector Solutions, which is administering the program, “told congressional aides that they were unable to guarantee a health care network large enough to accommodate all the veterans who might seek care under the new system. They suggested that more money — perhaps as much as $75 million — would be needed to help build a larger network.”
Warren’s plan to pay for Medicare-for-all: Does it add up? (Washington Post-subscription may be required): This “fact checker” article says the numbers she claims “add up.” But, you need to: believe the assumptions behind them; that the proposal will get passed (far from likely): and no reactions to proposed measures will take place- like lowered physician prices resulting in higher volumes and intensity of care.
Medicaid Expansion Associated With Reductions In Preventable Hospitalizations (Health Affairs- subscription required): The headline is the important message from the research study.
Primary Care for All: Instead of calling for a reform of Medicare for All, we need to first assure that we are able to deliver primary care to all. That goal will require a change in how we structure and fund our healthcare “system.”
As Congress Works To Curb Surprise Medical Bills, N.Y.’s Fix Gets Examined: The way surprise bills are being adjudicated is important when looking at whether the methods reduce costs. “According to an analysis of newly released data from New York’s Department of Financial Services, the New York model is making health care substantially more expensive in the state. In fact arbiters are typically deciding on dollar amounts above the 80th percentile of typical costs.”
About the public’s health
Federal Judge Voids 'Conscience Rule'-Policy would have allowed providers to refuse care because of "moral objections": “Judge Paul A. Engelmayer of New York's Southern District issued a 147-page decision that ‘vacates HHS's 2019 Rule in its entirety.’ The HHS rule would have allowed healthcare professionals to refuse to perform treatments or provide counseling or referrals ‘on account of religious beliefs or moral convictions.’”
Hospitals pledge $700 million to fight economic, social disparities: (Modern Healthcare-subscription required): “Fourteen of the country's largest hospital systems… pledged to invest more than $700 million toward community-based initiatives aimed at addressing the economic and environmental drivers behind a widening disparity in health outcomes.
The funding over the next five years will go toward projects to tackle housing instability, food insecurity and economic revitalization, among other issues. The effort is part of a national campaign organized by the Healthcare Anchor Network, a collaborative of 45 hospitals and health systems launched in 2017 to help providers learn and share ways to implement strategies aimed at economic inclusion of communities.”
About healthcare quality and safety
Leapfrog Releases Bi-Annual Hospital Safety Grades: “More than 2,600 hospitals graded with the breakdown as follows: 33% earned an "A," 25% earned a "B," 34% earned a "C," 8% a "D" and just under 1% an "F." Check this site for information on specific hospitals. An “A” does not mean the hospital performs even at the average level on all measures.
About healthcare professionals
Geisinger to offer free med school tuition for 40 students per year: “Danville, Pa.-based Geisinger will offer free tuition annually for 40 medical students who commit to working in primary care at the system after graduation.
Under the Geisinger Primary Care Program, the system's Commonwealth School of Medicine also will give students a $2,000-per-month living stipend.
In exchange, the students must commit to staying at Geisinger for four years after residency to work in primary care.”