About the public’s health
Researchers hypothesize that a highly contagious strain of the coronavirus is spreading, but other experts remain skeptical: This article updates the one yesterday that was originally published in the LA Times. Not all infectious disease experts are accepting the theory that a mutation in SARS-CoV-2 is responsible for its rapid spread.
Researchers Hope New CRISPR Technique Could Speed Up Coronavirus Testing: This simple test from MIT would cost about $6.
Israeli research team gets a step closer to developing a Covid-19 vaccine: “Israel's Defense Ministry said that the Israel Institute for Biological Research (IIBR) has completed the development phase of a coronavirus antibody or passive vaccine…
Meanwhile, a second Israeli research team, MigVax, has also reported that it is close to completing the first phase of development of a coronavirus vaccine.”
These initiatives appear to be far ahead of any others in development.
Cardiovascular groups share joint guidance on continuation of procedures, diagnostic tests during COVID-19 pandemic: Healthcare providers are setting the conditions under which they can safely return to providing non-urgent services. This article is one example of this effort. “A group of cardiovascular societies, including the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and American Heart Association (AHA), has published a new guidance designed to help providers resume important procedures and diagnostic tests during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Task force will continue: The day after media reports about the closing of the Covid-19 task force, the President’s morning tweet said:” …the Task Force will continue on indefinitely with its focus on SAFETY & OPENING UP OUR COUNTRY AGAIN.”
U.S. traffic deaths fell in 2019 for third straight year: Some good news: “The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported an estimated 36,120 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes last year, down 1.2% from 36,560 in 2018, even as travel rose 0.9% to 3.23 trillion miles.”
About pharma
CVS Health reports first quarter results, provides update on COVID-19 response: Not every business has been adversely affected bu Covid-19. CVS reported first quarter total revenues increased 8.3% to $66.8 billion and GAAP operating income increased 28.6% to $3.5 billion. The full year earnings per share guidance was unchanged.
AbbVie and Allergan Receive Clearance from U.S. Federal Trade Commission for AbbVie's Acquisition of Allergan: This press announcement gives details for the $63 billion deal.
Pharmaceutical Shipping Costs Spike in Response to Global COVID-19 Pandemic: “The survey of AAM’s [Association for Accessible Medicines] generic and biosimilar drug manufacturers revealed that travel and transport costs have skyrocketed 224% on average, with at least one manufacturer reporting as much as a 413% increase in shipping expenses compared to the same costs before the crisis…
As a result of the global slowdown and restrictions placed on international air travel resulting from the coronavirus pandemic, there has been a dramatic reduction in airline flights that carry pharmaceuticals and available cargo capacity. Government mandated work from home orders, along with unpredictable trade and export restrictions, have further exacerbated the difficulties supplying medicines during a time of significantly increased demand for treatments.”
About health insurance
Humana waives cost-sharing for primary care, behavioral health visits through end of 2020: Health plans are waiving some out of pocket expenses for members. For example,” Humana will now waive all cost-sharing for in-network primary care and behavioral health care visits through the end of the year for its Medicare Advantage members.”
But I am not sure exactly how it would work (none of the reports, including this one, go into detail).
For example, if copays are waived, does the health plan make up that amount in provider payments? Likewise, if the patient is not responsible for the deductible or coinsurance, does that mean providers will not have that amount deducted from their payments?
The implication is that insurers may seem to be “doing good” while shifting the financial burden to already-stressed providers.
Barr urges Trump administration to back off call to fully strike down Obamacare: “According to four sources familiar with the meeting, Barr argued for modifying the administration's current stance to preserve parts of the law, rather than fully back the lawsuit filed by a group of Republican states. As it stands now, the Trump administration's position seeks to invalidate the entire Affordable Care Act, signed by President Barack Obama in 2010 and commonly known as Obamacare.”
Report Card on State Price Transparency Laws : “A total of 34 states received failing letter grades because they either did not have an APCD [All-Payer Claims Database] or they did not mandate consumer-friendly, public-facing price transparency websites.” Only Maine and New Hampshire received an “A.”