Bulletin Board
Bulletin Board
Lack of Confidence Spawns MMWR Alternative
Citing a growing lack of confidence in federal public health reporting, the New England Journal of Medicine and the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy are creating a private sector alternative to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s long-running Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR). To be launched in the next month or so, the two organizations will begin publishing what they call “public health alerts” that will be available for free, and published as needed, in a new section of the NEJM Evidence. In creating the new [...]
Senate Committee Looks at 340B
Last week the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions held a hearing on the 340B Drug Pricing Program to discuss its growth and impact on patients. Among other subjects, the committee reviewed the importance of the 340B program; the pharmaceutical manufacturers’ rebate program that begins in January; potential transparency reforms; ensuring that 340B entities do not receive duplicate drug discounts; revising the definition of a patient for a covered entity; and reforms involving the use of contract pharmacies. Representatives from the Government Accountability Office, Congressional Budget Office (CBO), UCLA [...]
Federal Health Policy Update for October 23
The following is the latest health policy news from the federal government for October 17 - 23. Some of the language used below is taken directly from government documents. Please note that most HHS and other health care-related agencies have indicated that they will not be announcing new policies, publishing proposed regulations, or updating their web sites during the current federal government shutdown. Congress and the Shutdown The Senate postponed its 13th vote on the House-passed continuing resolution (CR), scheduled for today; without bipartisan negotiations on Affordable Care Act enhanced [...]
Governors Form New Health Care Coalition
The governors of 15 states have joined forces to create a new organization. The governors – all Democrats – announced the launch of the Governors Public Health Alliance, a group they say is “…designed to protect the health of people across the U.S.” and …will serve as a nonpartisan coordinating hub for governors and their public health leaders. The Governors Public Health Alliance will support Governors and their states in coordinating and collaborating to protect the public’s health by facilitating data sharing and communication about health threat detection, emergency preparedness [...]
Feds Clarify H-1B Visa Payment Requirement
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has issued guidance on new restrictions on H-1B visas issued in a presidential proclamation on September 19. The new guidance explains that for the requirement of a $100,000 payment to apply for such a visa: The Proclamation does not apply to any previously issued and currently valid H-1B visas, or any petitions submitted prior to 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on September 21, 2025. In addition, the Proclamation does not prevent any holder of a current H-1B visa, or any alien beneficiary following petition [...]