Moderna sues Pfizer over patents behind COVID-19 vaccine
COVID-19 vaccine maker Moderna accuses competitors Pfizer and BioNTech of copying Moderna’s technology in order to make their own vaccine.
Health Care & Insurance
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Insulin cap for Medicare patients signals hope for others
In January, the cost of insulin for patients on Medicare will be capped at $35 a month. But that cap doesn’t apply to those with private insurance, which is used by the majority of those in need of insulin.
Study: Pfizer COVID pill showed no benefit in younger adults
The researchers found that Paxlovid reduced hospitalizations among people 65 and older by roughly 75% when given shortly after infection. But people between the ages of 40 and 65 saw no measurable benefit, according to the analysis of medical records.
Amazon to shut down virtual health care service Amazon Care
Amazon is closing the hybrid virtual, in-home care service it’s spent years developing, a surprising move that underscores the challenges it faces as it moves into health care.
AstraZeneca CEO warns U.S. pricing rules will delay new drugs
U.S. legislation requiring price negotiation for top-selling medicines will delay the launch of new drugs, AstraZeneca CEO Pascal Soriot warned.
Pfizer seeks OK of updated COVID vaccine booster for fall
Pfizer asked U.S. regulators Monday to authorize its combination COVID-19 vaccine that adds protection against the newest omicron relatives—a key step toward opening a fall booster campaign.
Q&A: Dog, handler give reprieve from trauma
Brad Hoop and his therapy dog Gus have put smiles on the faces of hundreds of people for more than four years as part of Paws and Think.
Conrad Indianapolis hotel loses appeal for COVID-19 insurance payout
In 2020, occupancy rates at the Conrad dropped “into the single digits” due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The hotel “lost virtually all of its business income” while incurring “additional expenses for cleaning and disinfecting the property.”
Biden signs major climate, health care legislation
The measure is expected to be paid for by new taxes on large companies and stepped-up IRS enforcement of wealthy individuals and entities, with additional funds going to reduce the federal deficit.
FDA moves to make over-the-counter hearing aids available to millions
The new regulations will create a new category of hearing aids that will supersede state-level regulations requiring patients to visit physicians or audiologists to get prescriptions and fittings.
CDC drops quarantine, screening recommendations for COVID-19
The changes are driven by a recognition that an estimated 95% of Americans 16 and older have acquired some level of immunity, either from being vaccinated or infected, agency officials said.
American Senior Communities agrees to pay $5.6M to settle false claims allegations
American Senior Communities, the largest nursing home company in Indiana, has agreed to the settlement to resolve allegations that it violated federal laws by submitting false claims to the Medicare program.
How the Inflation Reduction Act might affect millions of Americans
Major changes to the Affordable Care Act. The nation’s biggest-ever climate bill. The largest tax hike on corporations in decades. And dozens of lesser-known provisions.
Pfizer buying spree continues with $5.4B hematology deal
The pharmaceutical giant continues to invest some of the cash influx reaped during the COVID-19 pandemic. The drugmaker has announced deals valued at a total of nearly $19 billion, counting debt, since late last year.
Democrats’ slimmer spending bill focuses on health care, climate change deficit-reduction
The estimated $740 billion package—passed Sunday by the Senate and heading to the House—is full of party priorities.
White House condemns Indiana abortion ban
Meanwhile, IU Health, Indiana’s largest health care system, said Saturday that it would take a few weeks to study the implications of the law on patients and practitioners.
Marathon Health cuts 94 jobs in restructuring
The cuts amount to about 6% of Marathon Health’s workforce and were largely to non-clinical positions, said Ben Evans, co-founder and chief growth and strategy officer.
U.S. declares public health emergency over monkeypox outbreak
The announcement will free up money and other resources to fight the virus, which may cause fever, body aches, chills, fatigue and pimple-like bumps on many parts of the body.
Doctors, hospitals push back on Indiana abortion bill
Lawmakers in the Indiana House are scheduled to take up the measure in a day-long committee hearing Tuesday.
Startup buys old St. Vincent Emergency Physicians accounts, goes after insurer for $15M
A startup company that specializes in buying written-off medical accounts is suing a Connecticut insurer for $15.1 million, claiming it failed to fully pay St. Vincent Emergency Physicians for services it provided to its members. Ecure Indiana Corp. filed suit July 28 against United Healthcare Insurance Co.