Week in Washington is brought to you by Michael Cohen, PhD. Tune in each week to read the latest on healthcare policy and get a glimpse of what’s on the horizon.
Week in Washington
06/29/2023
Weight-Loss Drugs
There is increasing discussion around the potential implications of weight loss drugs. Eli Lilly announced successful results on an experimental drug. Ozempic and Wegovy, two drugs currently on the market, are already expected to have demand. There is a large lobbying campaign in Congress and at CMS to allow Medicare to cover treatments, according to Politico. Recent research by Baig et al had illustrative examples of potential costs to Medicare for coverage of anti-obesity Medications. The drug costs can reach $16,000 annually.
Malaria
Four cases of locally acquired malaria were discovered in the US this week. Malaria has generally been eliminated in the US since the 1940s but concerns over climate change and other migration patterns could lead to a greater number of malaria cases in the US.
Hospital Margins
A new Kaufman Hall report found that for the third month in a row, facilities recorded positive operating margin. This report aligns with other reports that indicate provider margins have improved in 2023 relative to 2022. The reports notes that margins are improving in part due to higher revenue, especially from outpatient care.
There won't be a blog posting next week. Have a great Independence Day!
Previous editions:
06/22/2023: Week in Washington
06/15/2023: Week in Washington
06/08/2023: Week in Washington
06/01/2023: Week in Washington
05/25/2023: Week in Washington
05/18/2023: Week in Washington
05/11/2023: Week in Washington
05/04/2023: Week in Washington