Medicaid
Community health access may ease burden for Medicaid patients, uninsured adults with ESKD
Greater access to community health centers may improve outcomes for Medicaid recipients and adults without insurance who have end-stage kidney disease, data show. Amid systematic barriers in health care, “nephrology is unique in that U.S. federal health insurance, Medicare, covers most patients with ESKD irrespective of age or income,” Yoshio N. Hall, MD, MS, academic professor of medicine in nephrology at the University of Washington Kidney Research Institute in Seattle, told Healio. “However, this near-universal coverage does not extend to patients with non-dialysis-dependent kidney disease. As such, most nephrology practices in the U.S. continue to focus their care on patients who require maintenance dialysis."
Biden proposes Medicare, Medicaid cover weight-loss drugs for obesity
On Tuesday, the Biden-Harris administration proposed a rule that would require Medicare and Medicaid to cover anti-obesity medications.
Top in allergy/asthma: FDA proposal on oral phenylephrine; Medicaid barriers to care
Following an FDA review that found oral phenylephrine is ineffective in treating nasal congestion, the administration has proposed an order to remove the active ingredient from over-the-counter nasal decongestants.
Allergists not accepting Medicaid may be creating barriers to care
Finding an allergist that accepts Medicaid may be contributing to a lack of access to allergy-related health care, according to a study published in The American Journal of Managed Care.
21% of patients with chronic cough prescribed opioid-containing cough suppressant
A prescription for an opioid-containing cough suppressant was found in more adults with chronic vs. non-chronic cough, according to results published in Therapeutic Advances in Respiratory Disease.
Greenhouse gas emissions higher with metered-dose vs. dry-powder, soft-mist inhalers
Metered-dose inhalers had higher estimated greenhouse gas emissions than dry-powder and soft-mist inhalers but cost less than these propellant-free inhalers, according to a research letter published in JAMA.
We must make our voices heard and vote in the 2024 election
The 2024 election is one of the most consequential elections in recent history, and as physicians, we have a responsibility to vote.
Infliximab biosimilar uptake rapidly increased only after release of a third option
Infliximab biosimilar uptake increased by no more than just 5% annually following the release of its first two biosimilars, but then shot up by 13% to 16% for most patients after a third option emerged, according to data.
Medicaid coverage for adult vision services varies by state, highlights need for expansion
According to an NIH-funded study published in Health Affairs, approximately 6.5 million Medicaid enrollees live in states that lack coverage for routine adult eye exams, and 14.6 million live in states without coverage for eyeglasses.
HHS program adds 10 states for community mental health clinics
Ten states have joined the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Medicaid Demonstration Program, according to a release from HHS.