VA Adopts Google’s API, FDA Revises Coronavirus Antibody Drug Approvals
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has adopted Google’s application programming interface (API) to improve patient experience, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revoked emergency use authorizations for monoclonal antibodies
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By - Organizations are urging Congress to reinstate pre-deductible coverage for telehealth services in an effort to help patients. Also in the nation’s capital, the VA will implement a Google application programming interface (API) to assist developers in the creation of new tools to improve Veteran experiences.
Medicaid now has a set of case studies for improving access to care and health equity for the LGBTQI+ community, according to a report from the Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP). HHS is also launching a task force to support reproductive healthcare access across the nation.
Meanwhile, the FDA revised its emergency authorization coronavirus monoclonal antibody treatments after recent data showed they weren’t effective against Omicron.
Organizations Urge Congress to Extend Telehealth Exemptions
A group of 125 organizations issued a letter to Congress requesting that telehealth exemptions be extended. The letter urges Congress to maintain telehealth safe harbor flexibility: "The ability to offer pre-deductible telehealth services for employees is a meaningful expansion of health care access for 32 million Americans.” Letter cosigners included the American Telemedicine Association, America's Health Insurance Plans, AMGA, LifePoint Health, CVS Health, and Teladoc Health. READ MORE.
VA Adopts Google Cloud’S API
The VA has paid $13 million to employ Google Cloud’s API for its patients. This new partnership is expected to enhance engagement for the VA’s 19 million veterans.
“Google Cloud’s Apigee will help the VA to continue scaling the VA Lighthouse API program for third-party developers in a cost-efficient manner, offering Veterans more choice in the applications and tools they use to obtain access to their data and services,” Dave Mazik, director of VA Lighthouse, noted in a press release. READ MORE.
How Medicaid Plans Will Assure LGBTQI+ Access to Care
An Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP) report has identified ways that Medicaid can improve access to care for LGBTQI+ people. ACAP cited several case studies that could change the way that payers, providers, and Medicaid interact with this often-underserved community of patients. Margaret A. Murray, chief executive officer of ACAP, said the report is a response to the disproportionately low access to care that LQTBQI+ people face. READ MORE.
HHS to Support Reproductive Access
HHS recently launched a task force dedicated to reproductive health access. Specifically, the task force is dedicated to securing the safe and legal practice of abortions and abortion care. “Advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights is central to our core global health goals, including our focus on addressing health inequities and expanding access to universal health coverage,” said HHS Assistant Secretary for Global Affairs Loyce Pace.
This task force arrives at a time when the Supreme Court is considering several cases that could have lasting effects on nationwide abortion access. READ MORE.
FDA Revokes Authorization for Coronavirus Monoclonal Antibody Drugs
Monoclonal antibodies created by Regeneron and Eli Lily have had their emergency use authorizations revised because of their ineffectiveness against Omicron. Last week the FDA announced the revisions and withdrew authorization for these treatments in any state in the US. In the future, the FDA will consider reintroducing the drugs if they are proven to be effective against other variants of coronavirus. READ MORE.
