Politico

Hospital groups are expected to challenge a Federal Trade Commission rule finalized Tuesday that bans noncompete agreements for all workers.

“Hospital groups are expected to challenge a Federal Trade Commission rule finalized Tuesday that bans noncompete agreements for all workers, POLITICO’s Erin Schumaker reports.”

Doctors will benefit from the decision since a large share of them — 45 percent in group practices and likely many more in other areas of medicine — are bound by noncompetes.

“Doctors will benefit from the decision since a large share of them — 45 percent in group practices and likely many more in other areas of medicine — are bound by noncompetes.”

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other groups are expected to sue, with the Chamber saying it would challenge the FTC’s authority to issue the rule as soon as Wednesday.

“The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other groups are expected to sue, with the Chamber saying it would challenge the FTC’s authority to issue the rule as soon as Wednesday.”

Teal Baker has joined the Better Medicare Alliance as chief operating officer.

“Teal Baker has joined the Better Medicare Alliance as chief operating officer.”

The rule declares noncompetes an unfair method of competition.

“The rule declares noncompetes an unfair method of competition.”

One in 4 Medicare beneficiaries who are overweight or obese might be eligible for coverage of Wegovy now that it’s approved to reduce heart attack and stroke risk, according to a KFF analysis out today.

“One in 4 Medicare beneficiaries who are overweight or obese might be eligible for coverage of Wegovy now that it’s approved to reduce heart attack and stroke risk, according to a KFF analysis out today.”

Twenty percent of Medicare beneficiaries, or 10 million people, had cardiovascular disease in 2020, while 27 percent, or 13.7 million people, were obese or overweight.

“Twenty percent of Medicare beneficiaries, or 10 million people, had cardiovascular disease in 2020, while 27 percent, or 13.7 million people, were obese or overweight.”

Medicare is prohibited by law from covering weight-loss drugs solely for obesity.

“Despite the huge popularity of weight-loss drugs, Medicare is prohibited by law from covering them solely for obesity.”

As of Tuesday, avian flu had been detected in 33 dairy herds across eight states, according to the latest USDA data.

“As of Tuesday, avian flu had been detected in 33 dairy herds across eight states, according to the latest USDA data.”

The FDA approved Novo Nordisk’s weight-loss drug Wegovy earlier this year to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular deaths in people with heart disease.

“The FDA approved Novo Nordisk’s weight-loss drug Wegovy earlier this year to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular deaths in people with heart disease.”

CMS followed up by announcing in March that Medicare would reimburse older Americans prescribed Wegovy under those conditions.

“CMS followed up by announcing in March that Medicare would reimburse older Americans prescribed Wegovy under those conditions.”

The Pharmaceutical Care Management Association, which represents PBMs, increased its lobbying spending by 74 percent compared with last year.

“As a result, the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association, which represents PBMs, increased its lobbying spending by 74 percent compared with last year.”

The Supreme Court will hear arguments today on whether Idaho's abortion ban is constitutional.

“The Supreme Court will hear arguments today on whether Idaho's abortion ban is constitutional.”

The federal government counters that EMTALA’s protections preempt state law and prevent patient dumping by unscrupulous hospitals.

“The federal government counters that EMTALA’s protections preempt state law and prevent patient dumping by unscrupulous hospitals.”

A ruling for Idaho could encourage states and individual hospitals around the country to test the bounds of EMTALA for care unrelated to abortion.

“Health and legal experts also warn that a ruling for Idaho could encourage states and individual hospitals around the country to test the bounds of EMTALA for care unrelated to abortion.”

The FDA said Tuesday evening that the commercial milk supply is safe after industry groups told lawmakers on Capitol Hill that bird flu virus fragments have been detected in retail milk samples.

“The FDA said Tuesday evening that the commercial milk supply is safe after industry groups told lawmakers on Capitol Hill that bird flu virus fragments have been detected in retail milk samples, according to three people familiar with the matter, POLITICO’s Meredith Lee Hill reports.”

Negotiations over policy riders, including PBM reforms, ultimately fell apart.

“Negotiations over policy riders, including PBM reforms, ultimately fell apart.”

The Biden administration says the law requires doctors to perform abortions to stabilize patients in crisis.

“The Biden administration says the law requires doctors to perform abortions to stabilize patients in crisis.”

Novartis spent 44 percent more on lobbying last quarter than in 2023, surging into the top 10 health lobbying spenders for the first time in years.

“Novartis spent 44 percent more on lobbying last quarter than in 2023, surging into the top 10 health lobbying spenders for the first time in years.”

The industry was working on a number of issues advancing in Congress — including reforming the 340B discount drug program, alleviating supply chain issues and reining in pharmacy benefit managers, which negotiate discounts on drugs and choose which medicines insurance plans will cover.

“disclosures note the industry was working on a number of issues advancing in Congress — including reforming the 340B discount drug program, alleviating supply chain issues and reining in pharmacy benefit managers, which negotiate discounts on drugs and choose which medicines insurance plans will cover.”