Free preventive medication to protect older Americans from HIV
The Biden administration has introduced a proposed federal policy to strengthen HIV prevention among older Americans by providing free preventive drugs, particularly pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). According to ABC News. Under the plan, Medicare would pay the full cost of PrEP, which includes long-acting injectables, for people 65 and older. Older Americans already make up a significant portion of Americans living with HIV, so this policy shift is aimed at reducing infections among this age group. But it also highlights the need for more equitable access to PrEP for people under age 65, especially women and people of color, to further combat the HIV epidemic in the United States.
Strengthening regulations to curb anti-competitive behavior in the Medicare Advantage market
The Biden administration is introducing stricter regulations to address anti-competitive practices in the Medicare Advantage (MA) market, with a focus on limiting excessive compensation for agents and brokers. according to the hill. Rather than financial incentives for agents and brokers, CMS aims to enhance Medicare beneficiaries’ selection and enrollment in plans that meet their medical needs. The proposed rule would repeal the current framework allowing separate payments, redefine the definition of compensation, establish a fixed compensation amount of $632 per MA enrollment, and better align with legal requirements. It promotes. Once finalized, these rules would go into effect by 2025.
Alarming surge in congenital syphilis cases calls for urgent preventive measures
U.S. health officials are deeply concerned about the significant increase in congenital syphilis cases, with more than 3,700 babies born with the disease expected to be born with the disease in 2022, 10 times more than a decade ago and 32 more than in 2021. %It has increased. According to the Associated Press. The CDC is calling for increased preventive measures and emphasizes the importance of encouraging women of childbearing age and their partners to get tested for syphilis. This surge in congenital syphilis is associated with a simultaneous increase in primary and secondary syphilis in adults, and is exacerbated by difficulties in accessing the main treatment, benzathine penicillin injections, due to supply shortages. There is. More than half of congenital syphilis cases involve mothers who tested positive during pregnancy but did not receive appropriate treatment, highlighting the need for aggressive interventions, according to CDC data. .
