Jen Laws - Policy Candy

Tweets are my own views and do not necessarily reflect the position of any associated organization.

Nerd. Trans guy. Typos abundant.

[Jen Laws - Policy Candy @PolicyCandy]

As the saying goes, some professional news:

I am extremely honored to accept the position of President & CEO of Community Access National Network.

Learn more about our work at https://t.co/RUcDJHdu6v & review our acclaimed HIV/HCV Co-infection Watch at https://t.co/habQRpqfzt

[TIICANN @TIICANN]

CANN Taps Jen Laws as President & CEO - https://t.co/DyU9RmqRPs

[Lawson Mansell @lawsonhmansell]

This piece rightly calls out the political problem: To increase affordability, we need to cut high payments to hospitals. Yet hospitals are often the “beloved” employer in a politician’s district.

But I think the job loss trade-off may be overstated here.

[Dan Diamond @ddiamond]

SCOOP: The CDC's deputy director is leaving.

Jennifer Shuford, an infectious-disease physician who had been Texas's health commissioner, was hired to help restore trust in CDC.

Now she's out after six months.

w @bylenasun

https://t.co/Ck4Nph0YZJ

[Antonio Ciaccia @A_Ciaccia]

Are PBMs fighting back against pharmacists who support Pharmacists Fight Back?

@JamesComer aims to find out.

https://t.co/sT9jl7N1d6 @pharmalot

[Antonio Ciaccia @A_Ciaccia]

Oh CMS, behave 😍

https://t.co/hfoQ2ZUOOM

[Julie O'Donoghue @JSODonoghue]

Louisiana opened a special enrollment period yesterday for 274k Medicaid recipients who need to switch Medicaid plans because Elevance/Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana is ending its Medicaid plan in 2027. #lalege

https://t.co/B7GGQLiRLN

[Paige W. Cunningham @pw_cunningham]

Scoop: https://t.co/F8dJ98rbeY premiums for benchmark plans are set to rise 11% on average in 2027. It's the 2nd year in a row for double-digit spikes but not nearly as bad as last yr's 30%. Insurer participation is down 14%. https://t.co/j3QyaOPaCF

[Peter Sullivan @PeterSullivan4]

It will be a good time to be Lisa Murkowski next year.

She's positioned to take over top R on either HELP, or if Collins loses, Approps

w/ @AnthonyAdragna @sn_handler

https://t.co/qLEisNp4PF

[Brian Reid @brianreid]

"You do need a villain, and that villain is insurance companies." -- @RepAuchincloss to the life science attendees at the @statnews Summit.

[LenaSun @bylenasun]

I am devastated by this news. Helen was the queen of public health reporting. She knew her stuff. Pressed relentlessly for answers. Meticulous in documenting how officials were ducking questions. And always considerate to colleagues and competitors alike. https://t.co/BNfEpJaX2U

[Jen Laws - Policy Candy @PolicyCandy]

This is devastating to a community of readers and colleagues who replied on Branswell's accessible and timely reporting on all manner of things.

Our thoughts are with those closest to her.

[STAT @statnews]

Helen Branswell, STAT's infectious disease reporter who earned the respect of experts and public health officials with her accessible, prescient dispatches, has died at age 69. https://t.co/sYRaRZZriY

[KFF @KFF]

The FDA is considering rules for evaluating AI that makes clinical decisions with less direct physician involvement. Public comment is open through Oct. 19.

What we're watching: What standards will decide whether these tools are accurate and safe enough? https://t.co/A1kGQiCkk3

[ProPublica @propublica]

New: We’re looking into the ways health insurers’ use of prior authorization — the extra layer of approval insurers require before covering a medical expense — impacts patients. We need your help. https://t.co/a1hXaJB4vE

[Ted Okon @TedOkonCOA]

Ohio released it's report on #340B. Eye opening that Cleveland Clinic reported $272M (as in MILLION) in acquisition costs & $599M in payments for 340B drugs in-house. $22M costs & $70M in payments in 132 contract pharmacies. Can you say 340B profits?
https://t.co/Er8mOzZhzV

[HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute @HIVHep]

Nice suggestions, however we still need the insurers & PBMs to implement this requriement. Beyond A Seat At The Table: Meaningful Patient Representation On Pharmacy And Therapeutics Committees | Health Affairs https://t.co/vgzXNy0ju2

[Adriel Bettelheim @abettel]

FTC warns hospitals on price transparency https://t.co/wCiTvHSb6J #axiosfutureofhealthcare

[Helen Branswell 🇨🇦 @HelenBranswell]

The #Ebola outbreak in DRC isn't getting much attention these days. It should be. https://t.co/g88D0Ff80P

[TIICANN @TIICANN]

This week on Capitol Hill, 340B Policy Director @kalvin_pugh joined esteemed panelists from @blkwomenshealth, Choose Healthy Life, @OLHAAdvocacy, and @NatUrbanLeague to discuss #340B reform, including patient and community perspectives on access, transparency, and accountability.

[Joan Alker @JoanAlker1]

Nebraska, the 1st state to start Medicaid work reporting requirements, released data on the 1st few mos.

Over 1,000 people lost/were denied coverage - the vast majority NOT bcuz they’re not working but bcuz of red tape and process failures.

My new blog https://t.co/pJda7IiqiD

[Madelaine Feldman @MattieRheumMD]

I was glad to have the opportunity to speak briefly with Ansleigh Edwards of https://t.co/fEROKwFoA2 in Atlanta. about a new report highlighting the very real consequences patients can face when insurers deny or delay needed care.
@CSROAdvocacy

https://t.co/2SsR4I5WHH

[TIICANN @TIICANN]

Vertical Integration-maxxing: UnitedHealth Group was recently under scrutiny by @iamjohnoliver in @LastWeekTonight, thanks to the Sunlight Report's findings on “the nearly 2,700 acquisitions and internally created subsidiaries that make up UnitedHealth Group, the largest health care conglomerate in the world.”

Read more via Sunlight Report, courtesy of @cforhd >> https://t.co/skd85GKjXx