Literature Review

Humana wins $360M in Walgreens drug price settlementModern Healthcare, by Lauren Berryman; 1/8/24Walgreens will pay Humana $360 million to resolve allegations the pharmacy chain overcharged the health insurer for prescription drugs.

Finding a voice for the terminally illHealth Affairs, by Richey Piiparinen, 1/9/24A patient with terminal illness reflects on the reluctance in health care to discuss death. Access to the full-text article requires either an online subscription or purchase of 24-hour access to this article.

It’s unbelievable how retired congresswoman’s son found her months before deathRolling Out, by Darryl Maxie; 1/8/24Though she was 89 years old, trailblazing politician Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Texas) should not have died on Dec. 31.  ... [She was] the first nurse ever elected to Congress. ... Johnson’s family plans to sue Baylor Scott & White Health, claiming negligent post-surgery care at the hospital’s rehabilitation center led to the death of the woman known as EBJ, who represented the Dallas area in Congress for 30 years.

This Florida resort gives critically ill children the chance to just be kidsUSA Today, by Eve Chen; 1/9/24Eight-year-old Zachary Doyle was in hospice when his family got a chance for one more adventure. “We adopted Zachary when he was 7 weeks old, and he had spina bifida and hydrocephalus, which at the time seemed like manageable diagnoses that we could tackle as a family,” his mom, Susan Doyle. ... She said he underwent around 40 brain and heart surgeries like ”a champ,” but ran out of treatment options last year. “We were pretty resigned to being at home and finishing out the end at home,” Doyle said. That was until Zachary was granted a rush wish trip to Walt Disney World through Gentle Shepherd Hospice in Lynchburg, Virginia. 

Public policy: Potential bills from multiple states

Will we close the Medicare Advantage primary care gap in 2024?MedCity News, by Jim Bonnette; 1/8/24... Across all healthcare industry stakeholders, there is a pressing need to address this growing concern: MA members without primary care physicians (PCPs). This cohort, called the MA Primary Care Gap, may present the highest risk to health plans as MA becomes their fastest-growing segment . ... Furthermore, the MA Primary Care Gap is widening due to industry shortages of primary care providers and the rise of healthcare deserts in both rural areas and under-served urban areas. The absence of primary care physicians is particularly troublesome for Medicare Advantage patients with multiple chronic diseases and complex healthcare needs.

2024 Hillman funding opportunities announcedGlobal Newswire, The Rita and Alex Hillman FoundationSeeking proposals for nursing-driven innovations that address the health and social needs of marginalized communities

Home healthcare company agrees to pay nearly $10 million to resolve false claims act allegations relating to its participation in the energy employees occupational illness compensation programOffice of Public Affairs; 1/5/24Atlantic Home Health Care LLC (AHH), a home health care agency operating in Arizona and eight other states, has agreed to pay $9,990,944 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by submitting false claims to the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program (EEOICP or the Energy Program), a healthcare program administered by the Department of Labor (DOL) for the benefit of Department of Energy employees and contractors with occupational illnesses.

CDC map shows dramatic increase in illness nationwide: See where it’s worstNexstar Media Wire News / The Hill, by Alix Martichoux; 1/5/24What a difference a week can make. New data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Friday shows an 18% jump in people testing positive for influenza last week. The number of people going to the doctor with symptoms of respiratory illness — whether it be the flu, COVID, RSV, or none of the above — also continues to trend upward. Now, according to the CDC, 21 states and New York City are experiencing “very high” levels of sickness.

Provider partnerships providing driving palliative care growth  Hospice News, by Holly Vossel; 1/8/24An increasingly diverse base of health care providers have taken an interest in the palliative care space, a trend that could be indicative of how strategic growth is taking shape in the field. ... More home health care, health systems, hospices and primary care providers have gained a foothold in the palliative care space, often through community-based collaborations.

Assisted living scrutiny by lay media continues into new yearMcKnights Senior Living, by Kimberly Bonvissuto; 1/8/24It’s been a rough few months for the assisted living sector as lay media reports put a spotlight on the varying — or a lack of — regulations covering operators, a situation they said has led to tragic outcomes for some residents. Georgia assisted living operators are the latest to come under scrutiny. ... Industry advocates say that it is unfair to paint all providers with one brush, but they acknowledge that the attention is a reminder that “good policies and procedures, routine staff training, and oversight to ensure staff are following the policies are vital for providing great care.”

Hudson Valley Hospice opens new inpatient centerHospice News, by Holly Vossel; 1/4/24New York-based Hudson Valley Hospice has opened a new inpatient facility that will serve two counties in its home state.

Continuous improvement is better than delayed perfection.  Mark Twain