As mentioned yesterday, arguments start today in the Supreme Court over the future of the ACA.
About the public’s health
SARS-CoV-2 survives for 9 hours on human skin: “ARS-CoV-2 can survive on human skin for about 9 hours — significantly longer than influenza A virus — underscoring the importance of hand hygiene, researchers said.
Recent studies have looked at how long SARS-CoV-2 can survive on surfaces, with one analysis demonstrating that the virus was still viable for up to 28 days on glass, polymer currency, stainless steel, vinyl and paper currency.”
HHS Released More Coronavirus Vaccine Contracts As Election Results Unfolded: The concern is lack of full transparency and consumer protections, including prices.
About health insurance
2019 MLR [Medical Loss Ratio] Rebates by State: Based on MLR reports filed through October 16, 2020, CMS issued national totals and per state amounts. The total is $2.458B with an average across all markets of $219 per person. Large rebates were expected because of the huge number of delayed elective procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Screening for High Blood Pressure in Children and AdolescentsUS Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement: “The USPSTF concludes that the evidence to support screening for high blood pressure in children and adolescents is insufficient and that the balance of benefits and harms cannot be determined.”
About pharma
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: FDA Authorizes Monoclonal Antibody for Treatment of COVID-19: “Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) [to Eli Lilly & Co.] for the investigational monoclonal antibody therapy bamlanivimab for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in adult and pediatric patients. Bamlanivimab is authorized for patients with positive results of direct SARS-CoV-2 viral testing who are 12 years of age and older weighing at least 40 kilograms (about 88 pounds), and who are at high risk for progressing to severe COVID-19 and/or hospitalization. This includes those who are 65 years of age or older, or who have certain chronic medical conditions.”
Trial results reveal that long-acting injectable cabotegravir [CAB LA] PrEP is highly effective in preventing HIV acquisition in women: The WHO published a study showing that “CAB LA is significantly more effective in preventing HIV acquisition than oral PrEP in an intention-to-treat analysis from this trial.” The problem now is distribution and guaranteeing that it can be administered monthly.
Accelerating Regulatory Product Development and Approval for Drugs and Biologics in the US: This monograph is very timely as many products are being approved through this process to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
About hospitals and health systems
Medical tourism craters during coronavirus pandemic, hospitals lose billions: The headline speaks for itself.
About healthcare IT
Cigna Ventures, Humana, and Optum Ventures Among Investor Set Re-Upping in Buoy Health Series C Financing: “Buoy Health, the AI-powered healthcare navigation platform, today announced the completion of a $37.5 million Series C funding round. Cigna Ventures and Humana led the funding round and were joined by Optum Ventures, WR Hambrecht + Co, and Trustbridge Partners. To date, Buoy has raised $66.5 million…
Buoy will use the proceeds to further buildout its IP with respect to artificial intelligence and other technologies…”
Check the Buoy website for details about how it works. What is newsworthy is the payer investment.
FDA clears Apple Watch sleep app that intervenes to stop nightmares caused by PTSD: “The FDA has cleared an app for the Apple Watch to help people suffering from nightmares or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) get a better night’s sleep.
Dubbed Nightware, the prescription app monitors the wearer’s heart rate and movement while they sleep—and, if they’re having a nightmare, gently prods them out of the dream without aiming to wake them up completely, using the smartwatch’s vibrations.”