Business of Medicine News

• Should Hospitals Allow Visitors for COVID-19 Patients? As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, some physicians think hospitals should reconsider policies that restrict visitors.
  Medscape Reader Polls, January 27, 2021
• Alert USMLE Stuns Again: Clinical Skills Test Permanently Ended In May, cosponsors of the Step 2 CS said they would take 12-18 months to revamp the test, after the pandemic put it on hold. Now, it's scrapped entirely.
  Medscape Medical News, January 26, 2021
• Drug-Impaired Doctor Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison A pathologist who misdiagnosed or made errors for more than 3000 patients while intoxicated has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for manslaughter and mail fraud.
  Medscape Medical News, January 26, 2021
• Alphabet's Verily Bets on Long-Term Payoff From Virus-Testing Deals For Alphabet's Verily, a healthcare venture that is one the tech giant's most prominent 'other bets,' the coronavirus pandemic offered an immediate business opportunity.
  Reuters Health Information, January 25, 2021
• GICS 2021 High Cost of Pancreatic Enzymes a Barrier for Patients With Cancer These products are often essential for the treatment of pancreatic cancer, but out-of-pocket costs for a 30-day supply on Medicare can reach $1000 or more.
  Medscape Medical News, January 26, 2021
• Biden Overturns Trump Ban on Transgender Troops President Joseph R. Biden has overturned the ban on transgender people serving in the US military ordering that it must accept all Americans willing to serve.
  Medscape Medical News, January 25, 2021
• How Likely Are Malpractice Lawsuits From Treating COVID? Fear is high over the risk for coronavirus-related liability claims, but is the worry warranted? Legal experts break down the dangers and share what type of suits are possible.
  Medscape Medical News, January 25, 2021
• COVID-19 Drives Physician Burnout for Some Specialties COVID-19 pushes critical care doctors to the top of the list in Medscape's burnout survey. Women are hit harder than men, and 1 in 10 doctors say burnout could drive them to leave medicine.
  Medscape Medical News, January 25, 2021
• J&J COVID Vaccine Gets Unique CPT Code Even Before FDA Filing The AMA's CPT panel readies for potential introduction of a third COVID-19 vaccine for the US, with J&J awaiting phase 3 results for its product.
  Medscape Medical News, January 22, 2021
• Biden Signs 10 New Orders to Help Fight COVID-19 The orders establish a COVID-19 response office and mask requirement in airports, federal buildings. AAFP applauds action, most of which will need legislative approval.
  Medscape Medical News, January 21, 2021
• Trump Pardons a Handful of Physicians on His Way Out One of those pardoned was sentenced in a $70 million Medicare fraud scheme.
  Medscape Medical News, January 21, 2021
• 7 Ways President Biden Could Now Change Healthcare President Biden has spoken about the ways in which he could improve America's healthcare system. Now that he's in office, here's what he could do.
  Medscape Medical News, January 21, 2021
• Physician Happiness Outside Work Sees Sharp Drop in a Year: Survey Those who are 'very happy' dropped from 43% to 20% in 1 year. But one fourth of respondents said they have no anxiety about their futures, even as the pandemic wears on.
  Medscape Medical News, January 21, 2021
• Biden Asks Surgeon General Adams to Resign Adams said on Twitter that he's been asked to leave post. Biden expected to name interim surgeon general ahead of Vivek Murthy nomination.
  Medscape Medical News, January 20, 2021
• ACC Donations to GOP Election Deniers Under Scrutiny The pro-Trump storming of the Capitol has trade organizations and corporations alike rethinking or halting political donations.
  Medscape Medical News, January 20, 2021
• US Judge Rejects 'Pharma Bro' Shkreli's Bid for Compassionate Release From Prison A federal judge rejected former pharmaceutical executive Martin Shkreli's request to be freed from prison, rejecting his claim that his deteriorating mental health justified compassionate release.
  Reuters Health Information, January 19, 2021
• US Supreme Court Rebuffs Merck Appeal in Hepatitis C Patent Fight With Gilead The US Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected Merck's bid to revive a $2.54 billion jury verdict it won against rival drugmaker Gilead Sciences for infringing a patent in a dispute over a blockbuster hepatitis C treatment.
  Reuters Health Information, January 19, 2021
• 'Vicious Cycle' Sent Insulin Costs Through Roof: Senate Committee Insulin manufacturers and pharmacy benefit managers refute the findings of the Senate report; activists say it clearly shows profits have been put ahead of peoples' lives.
  Medscape Medical News, January 20, 2021
• Many EM Docs Have Treated COVID Patients Without Proper PPE A Medscape survey also found that for most emergency physicians, income has dropped 11% to 50% during the pandemic. Fewer than half say their workplace offers help with grief and stress.
  Medscape Medical News, January 19, 2021
• PCPs Play a Small Part in Low-Value Care Spending Expert said a new report is further proof that low-value care is "extremely common, very costly, and provided by primary care providers and specialists alike."
  Medscape Medical News, January 19, 2021