AHA and FTC Tussle Over Antitrust, Senators Reintroduce Virtual Care Act
The AHA harshly criticized anti-trust action in a recent brief, and senators are reintroducing the CONNECT for Health Act to enshrine more virtual health programs.
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By - In healthcare policy news this week, an AHA friend-of-the-court brief derided the Federal Trade Commission as biased. Meanwhile, a large group of United States senators is working to push the CONNECT for Health Act.
National Healthcare Spending to Speedup Post-COVID
The CMS Office of the Actuary expects healthcare spending to grow faster than the GDP in the coming decade. Reporting released last week estimated that healthcare spending could grow by 5.4% annually, eventually comprising 19.6 percent of GDP by 2031. The report also expects insurance coverage rates to fall as pandemic Medicaid expansions deflate. Simultaneously, Medicare spending will likely rise by 7.5 percent annually. READ MORE.
AHA Tangles with FTC to Halt Antitrust Action
The American Hospital Association (AHA) condemned the FTC in a friend-of-the-court brief that denounced the agency’s attempt to block Illumina’s acquisition of GRAIL. The two companies reached a $7.1 billion agreement in August of 2021 but faced regulatory pushback, including a forced divestiture of valuable assets.
“With one-sided procedures that favor the agency and a win-loss tally that proves it, the only possible conclusion is that the FTC is not a fair, neutral, and unbiased tribunal, as required by the Due Process Clause,” AHA’s brief stated. READ MORE.
Mallinckrodt Shareholders Doubt Company Will Pay $1.7B Settlement
After releasing an SEC finding that mulled the possibility of repeat bankruptcy, Mallinckrodt sought to postpone its $200 million installment of a larger $1.7 billion opioid settlement. At one time, the top dog in generic opioid sales, Mallinckrodt, was hit hard by lawsuits that alleged the company irresponsibly marketed its product. After filing for bankruptcy, Mallinckrodt reorganized and seemed to be on track to pay its settlement with victims across the US, but recent moves indicate payment may never come. READ MORE.
Senators Reintroduce the CONNECT for Health Act
A bipartisan group of 60 senators reintroduced the Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act to enshrine into law pandemic-era telehealth and hospital-at-home provisions.
“While telehealth use has skyrocketed these last few years, our laws have not kept up. Telehealth is helping people in every part of the country get the care they need, and it’s here to stay,” said Senator Brian Schatz in a press release. “Our comprehensive bill makes it easier for more people to see their doctors no matter where they live.” READ MORE.
TimisoraHackerTeam Attacks US Cancer Center
Obscure hackers recently claimed responsibility for a cyberattack that affected a United States cancer center. The team took advantage of poorly protected remote desktops and medium to large servers infecting them with ransomware that quickly encrypted files. The attack limited the cancer center’s ability to treat patients, utilize digital services, and may have exposed patients’ private information. TimisoraHackerTeam is suspected to be of Romanian origin based on the group’s use of the Romanian language in its source code. READ MORE.
