Politico

Hospital groups expected to challenge FTC rule banning 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 decision since 45 percent in group practices 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.”

U S Chamber of Commerce other groups expected to sue Chamber saying it would challenge FTC's authority to issue 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 Better Medicare Alliance as chief operating officer

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

Rule declares noncompetes an unfair method of competition

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

One in 4 Medicare beneficiaries overweight or obese might be eligible for Wegovy coverage

“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.”

20 percent of Medicare beneficiaries or 10 million people had cardiovascular disease in 2020 while 27 percent or 137 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 detected in 33 dairy herds across eight states according to latest USDA data

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

FDA approved Novo Nordisk's Wegovy to reduce 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 announced in March 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 increased lobbying spending by 74 percent compared to last year

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

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.”

Federal government counters EMTALA protections preempt state law prevent patient dumping by hospitals

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

Ruling for Idaho could encourage states hospitals to test 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.”

FDA said commercial milk supply is safe after bird flu virus fragments 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 ultimately fell apart

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

Biden administration says law requires doctors 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

“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 issues advancing in Congress

“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.”