Welcome to Overnight Healthcare on Monday, We are following up on the latest developments in policies and news that affect your health. Subscribe here: thehill.com/newsletter-signup.
The White House family is growing after the Bydens Hire a new puppy The name of the commander.
President Biden
Joe Biden Goldman lowers growth forecast for 2022 after Manchin says no to BBB Biden’s endless dilemma: Dealing with Joe Manchin The day democracy is almost deadThe speech scheduled for Tuesday will focus on improving access to the COVID-19 vaccine and tests, rather than a “blockade.”
The Hill is Peter Sullivan (psullivan@thehill.com), Nathaniel Weixel (nweixel@thehill.com) and Justine Coleman (jcoleman@thehill.com). Write us with tips and feedback and follow us on Twitter: @ PeterSullivan4, @ NateWeixel and @ JustineColeman8..
let’s start.
White House: Speech to avoid “blockage”
President Biden will give a speech on Tuesday to address the growing number of COVID-19 infections nationwide. However, according to the White House, he does not support the new virus restriction. Instead, he announces new steps to increase access to coronavirus vaccines and tests.
“This is not a speech about blocking the country,” White House spokesman said. Jen Psaki
Jen Psaki Goldman lowers 2022 growth forecast after Manchin says no to BBB Biden’s endless dilemma: Addressing Joe Manchin Omar: Manchin’s excuse for not supporting Build Back Better is “Bull —“ I told reporters during the briefing on Monday. “This outlines and directly to Americans the benefits of vaccination, the steps we are taking to increase access and testing, and the risks posed to unvaccinated individuals. And it’s a clarified speech. “
Biden administration officials have urged Americans to be vaccinated, especially for those who are eligible for additional vaccinations to protect themselves from severe illness, as new variants emerge. ..
Biden, who personally met with a coronavirus adviser on Monday afternoon, will give a speech on Tuesday in the midst of an increasing number of incidents with the more contagious Delta and Omicron variants.
“Vaccinated individuals are infected with COVID because of the high contagiousness of Omicron, but the cases are likely to be mild or asymptomatic,” the president said.
“He reiterates that we are ready and that fully vaccinated individuals have the tools to protect themselves with the booster shots and masking recommended by the CDC,” she continues. I did. “For those who have not been vaccinated, he issues a harsh warning, revealing that unvaccinated individuals continue to promote hospitalization and death.”
Please check this out for details.
Moderna: Boosters increase antibody levels
In a statement, the company said in a statement that preliminary data from one study showed that 50 micrograms of approved booster shots (half the amount used in the first two Moderna doses) compared to pre-booster levels. He said he showed a 37-fold increase in antibody levels against Omicron. However, he added that using an initial dose of 100 micrograms as a booster increased neutralizing antibody levels by 83-fold.
“The dramatic increase in COVID-19 cases from the Omicron variant is all related. However, the currently approved Moderna COVID-19 booster boosts neutralizing antibody levels by 37-fold over pre-boost levels. These data, which show that we can boost high, are reassuring, “said Moderna CEO Stéphane Bansel on Monday.
Moderna also said that clinical trials are ongoing until early 2022 and are working on the creation of a micron-specific vaccine.
Pfizer also: Earlier this month, Pfizer announced that booster vaccination was successful in significantly increasing neutralizing antibody levels against Omicron mutants.
Please check this out for details.
Message from AstraZeneca and a friend of cancer research
Fight Cancer: Set the Next Agenda
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the enactment of the National Cancer Act of 1971, a selected group of thought leaders working at the crossroads of public health and oncology will collaborate with Friends of Cancer Research and AstraZeneca’s Y on a round table hosted by The Hill. I attended the meeting.our Oncology A cancer program for increasing access to precision medicine. learn more.
Biogen halves the price of drugs for Alzheimer’s disease
On Monday, Biogen sought to cut the price of Alzheimer’s disease drug Adurem in half, boosting sluggish sales, partly due to the price controversy.
According to the company, aducanumab costs $ 28,200 a year for patients of average weight, down from $ 56,000 a year when it first launched last summer.
Biogen’s sales from July to September were only $ 300,000 after the forecast reached $ 12 million.
Biogen said the price cuts are aimed at reducing patient out-of-pocket costs and “reducing the potential economic impact on the US healthcare system.”
“Too many patients are not offered the choice of aducanumab for financial considerations and therefore go beyond the point of benefiting from the initial treatment to address the underlying condition of Alzheimer’s disease. We are, “Biogen CEO Michel Vounatsos said in a statement. “We recognize that this challenge must be addressed in a way that is perceived to be sustainable for the US healthcare system.”
Elderly people are facing a surge in Medicare premiums to secure sufficient funding for the program in case they have to cover aducanumab. Monthly premiums are expected to rise by $ 21.60, the largest increase in recent years.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will issue a national coverage decision for refunds for treatment classes, including Aduhelm, in January. The final decision is scheduled for April.
Although the CMS does not consider pricing when setting coverage, Raymond James analysts note that Aduhelm’s decision can be seen as a way to put pressure on the CMS to provide wide coverage of the drug. Suggested in. Peter Bach, a prominent cancer researcher, said:
I feel it is necessary to point out that halving the price of a drug that is seriously toxic and has no evidence of benefit does not increase the value of the drug. #aduhelm
— Peter B. Bach, MD (@peterbachmd) December 20, 2021
The drug is controversial, both in terms of its price and its approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), despite expert doubts about its effectiveness. The FDA, beyond the opposition of an external advisory board, used the accelerated approval route without clear evidence that the drug would work.
Please check this out for details.
HHS Dedicates $ 280 to New Suicide Prevention Hotline
Officials announced Monday that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will spend $ 280 million to move the national suicide prevention lifeline to the three-digit phone number 988 in July 2022.
The Biden administration’s 2022 budget and funding from the US Rescue Program will be directed towards the “key priority” of making the suicide prevention hotline more accessible nationwide, HHS Secretary. Xavier Besera
Xavier BecerraDemocrats are worried that their grip on Hispanic votes is loose. I told reporters over the phone.
Approximately $ 177 million will be allocated to operate lifeline networks and improve and expand the telephone infrastructure. An additional $ 105 million is aimed at increasing the number of state and local crisis call centers.
“This is the beginning of a major government effort to actually put resources behind this effort to improve the infrastructure we have for mental health and crisis management services. “Besera said.
Flashback: Last year, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) unanimously approved 988 as a new national suicide prevention hotline, allowing telephone service providers to switch until July 16, 2022. Last month, the FCC also voted to allow people to send texts asking for help to 988.
By July, Americans in need of assistance should call the current National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-TALK).
Please check this out for details.
DC re-imposes panda mask man date
Washington DC re-imposes indoor mask obligations and expands vaccine obligations to mayor city officials Muriel Bowser
Muriel Bauser Omicron Waves Imminent Threat Causes Early Pandemic DC Reported Record-Breaking Coronavirus Cases for Two consecutive Days DC Mayor Considers Reviving Maskmandate in Record COVID-19 Cases is doing (D) Announced on Monday.
The mask requirement for indoor public spaces will come into effect on Tuesday and will be effective until January 31 as a way to slow down the threatened surge in COVID-19 infections that could overwhelm the city’s healthcare system.
It’s been over a month since Bowser lifted the city’s mask requirements. This is due to higher vaccination rates, relatively low hospitalization rates, and the desire to move to personal risk management.
However, after that, variants of Omicron began to spread rapidly throughout the country, and about two weeks later, Bowser issued a mask “recommendation” for indoor spaces. This recommendation was not legally binding, but was intended to reflect growing anxiety about the virus.
Coronavirus cases have skyrocketed to record highs in recent days, and Bowser said last week that reimbursement of mandates is being considered. When asked on Monday, Bowser said that certain metrics that would result in the mandate being extended beyond January 31st, or what would cause it to be re-imposed after it was lifted again. I didn’t point out.
also: All DC government officials and contractors will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 on booster shots, eliminating the option to test their obligations.
Please check this out for details.
Message from AstraZeneca and a friend of cancer research
Fight Cancer: Set the Next Agenda
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the enactment of the National Cancer Act of 1971, a selected group of thought leaders working at the crossroads of public health and oncology will collaborate with Friends of Cancer Research and AstraZeneca’s Y on a round table hosted by The Hill. I attended the meeting.our Oncology A cancer program for increasing access to precision medicine. learn more.
What we are reading
- “It’s embarrassing”: CDC struggles to track Covid’s case when Omicron is imminent (Politico)
- A public health emergency could cause millions of people to lose coverage of Medicaid (NBC News)
- Local pharmacists fill the Rx void as major brands withdraw from rural areas (Kaiser Health News)
- How long does Omicron take you to get sick? (Atlantic)
State by state
- With the proliferation of COVIDs, the rise of Omicron shatters the cheers of Christmas in New York (Reuters).
- As COVID misinformation spreads in Louisiana, authorities fear it could hurt other children’s vaccines ()WWNO).
- Idaho health authorities raise crisis standards for state-wide care (Bowers Public Radio News).
That’s it for today. Thank you for reading. Check out Hill’s healthcare page for the latest news and coverage. See you tomorrow.
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