AARP
NY considers physician-ranking legislation
Over the last few months, several New York health plans have agreed to follow the Attorney... Read more...
Fight continues over state limits on prescription data mining
Hearings began this week on an effort, sponsored by at least six pharma data-mining firms, designed to overturn a new Maine law which lets prescribers opt out of having their prescribing information... Read more...
NY bill would require pharmas to report MD gifts
Momentum seems to be building for a New York state bill which would require drug makers to report when they give doctors gifts valued at over $75. This week, a wide range of physician and consumer groups expressed support for the measure, including the AARP, National Physicians Alliance, Center for Medical Consumers and Consumer Reports publisher Consumers Union. The bill targets the $7 billion per year pharmas spend in physician gifts, which includes everything from meals, trips and …
... Read more...Health plans cut back on biologics payments
Managed care executives are understandably stressed by the cost of biologic drug treatments which, in extreme cases, can run as much as $100,000 per year. To address the problem, many plans are asking patients to pay larger percentages of the medications' cost. With some patients already spending hundreds of dollars a month, some are cutting back, and others can't afford to raise doses when necessary, physicians say. Other doctors have complained that health plans are using less-direct …
... Read more...AARP fights for generic biologic drugs
The AARP has stepped into the fight over biologic drugs, throwing its support behind a new bill designed to speed the development and approval of generic versions of these medications. The measure, The Access to Life-Saving Medicine Act of 2007, would provide the FDA with a regulatory approach for approving generic biologics. The bill is intended to offer cheaper alternatives to biologic drugs, which treat diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and cancer. Brand-name …
... Read more...SPOTLIGHT: AARP targets healthcare reform
When the mighty lobbying engines of the AARP spin up, something concrete usually happens. So it's definitely of note that healthcare reform is at the top of the powerful group's 2007 political agenda. Among other things, the 35 million member association is pushing for bills that lower prescription drug prices and extend coverage to the uninsured. Specifics of their agenda include backing a bill which would allow legal importation of drugs from Canada and other countries, as well as reforms that would make generics available faster. Article
ALSO NOTED: Cerner shares drop ahead of meeting; Haddad out in Boston; and much more...
> Chutes & Ladders: The CEO of Boston's Catholic healthcare system is leaving, after reports this week that he harassed a number of employees. Article
> The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report writes that starting in 2007, Medicare Part D plans will no longer be able to co-brand with outside organizations. The news …
... Read more...Publicity campaign doomed Enzi bill
A media campaign by consumer watchdog groups and societies including the AARP and the American Cancer Society appears to have scuttled the Enzi bill by convincing the public that the law would cause consumer protections written into law on the state level to disappear. Fairly typical was a full page ad taken out by the American Cancer Society last week which showed a women's push up bra and the text "Don't let the Senate leave Women Exposed." The New York Times writes that the Enzi …
... Read more...NH bans prescription data collection by pharmas
New Hampshire became the first state to pass a law prohibiting pharmaceutical companies from collecting data on physician prescribing habits. The state's senate voted unanimously to support legislation sponsored by Rep. Cindy Rosenwald. The house has already passed the provision. New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch (D) must now sign the legislation for it to become law. The AARP and the New Hampshire Medical Society have both come out in support of the legislation.
Why is this important? …
... Read more...UnitedHealth leads in Part D race
UnitedHealth Group and Humana are leading the field in Medicare Part D enrollment, according to new numbers out today. More than 90 companies are offering about 3,000 plans across the country, CMS reports. UnitedHealth, which has has benefited from an alliance with AARP and the acquisition of PacifiCare's Medicare business, is the clear leader with 27 percent of the market. Humana is trailing not far behind with 18 percent.
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