FDA: Evusheld may be less effective against latest COVID variants
By
Alicia Lasek
Oct 05, 2022
Evusheld, a preventive COVID-19 antibody for high-risk patients, may lose efficacy in the face of newly emerging variants, the FDA has informed clinicians.
Biden administration asks court to revive workplace vaccine mandate
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Nov 24, 2021
The Biden administration has asked the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals to reinstate a federal workplace COVID-19 vaccine and testing mandate after the enforcement was suspended.
Long-term care staff warm up to vaccine with 94 percent increase in willingness
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 24, 2021
The latest surveys show a major shift in LTC staff members’ willingness to receive a coronavirus shot, and that healthcare workers are the most trusted source of vaccine information nationally.
GAO report finds ‘deficiencies’ in HHS’s handling of PHEs
May 15, 2023
Over a decades’ time, these issues have affected the nation’s response not only to COVID-19, but to past public health emergencies including the H1N1 influenza pandemic and extreme weather events...
Older adults stalled by stereotypes — even at doctor’s office, study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Feb 22, 2021
Low expectations can have a powerful effect on how well older adults perform on cognitive and motor skills tests, according to a Georgia State University gerontologist.
Diabetes drug turned weight loss med spurs cost-benefit concerns for docs
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 13, 2021
The high price tag and lack of coverage for high-performing anti-obesity drug Wegovy begs the question of what the benefits of weight loss are worth to insurers and patients.
Feds must ramp up efforts against antibiotic resistance: GAO
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 27, 2023
Federal health agencies must urgently tackle key measures of a plan to curb the rising threat of antibiotic-resistant organisms, according to new testimony released by the Government Accountability Office...
Geriatricians weigh value of newer advance care directives for nursing home residents
By
Alicia Lasek (f3)
Jun 02, 2022
In a new editorial, specialists ask whether Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment lead to high-quality care for residents.
CMS shares LTC booster data; coverage among residents meets national average
By
Alicia Lasek
Feb 10, 2022
Nursing home booster vaccination data is now available on the Medicare.gov Care Compare website as part of CMS’s effort to help increase facility vaccination coverage, the agency said Wednesday.
CMS shares new coverage details for Alzheimer’s drug Leqembi
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 26, 2023
On the eve of an FDA decision, CMS has released new information about the detailed patient data that clinicians must provide to ensure Medicare coverage when prescribing Leqembi.