@plusincusa.bsky.social
Metastatic breast cancer has exposed a brutal truth. Science can move while disconnected systems keep patients waiting. https://blog.advocatebridge.org/p/structure-is-the-disease-why-advocacy-coordination-beats-another-breakthrough
Structure Is the Disease: Why Advocacy Coordination Beats Another Breakthrough
Metastatic breast cancer has exposed a brutal truth. Science can move while disconnected systems keep patients waiting.
blog.advocatebridge.org
You Want To Join a Clinical Trial. Here’s What To Know About the Hurdles. https://kffhealthnews.org/health-industry/clinical-trials-patients-hhs-easier-advice-on-how-to-enroll-seriously-ill-cancer/
Insurers Denied Between 12% and 18% of Prior Authorization Requests in 2025 in the Medicare Advantage, Medicaid and ACA Markets, with Large Variations by Insurer https://www.kff.org/patient-consumer-protections/prior-authorization-metrics-provide-new-insights-into-insurer-practices-but-gaps-remain/
Prior Authorization Metrics Provide New Insights into Insurer Practices, but Gaps Remain | KFF
This analysis of available 2025 prior authorization data finds insurers denied at least 1 in 8 standard requests for prior authorization across three insurance markets: Medicare Advantage, Medicaid managed care, and the federally facilitated ACA Marketplaces. Denial rates varied wide segments by insurer. The analysis highlights limitations of the data and challenges for consumers interpreting it.
kff.org
Kindergarten MMR vaccine coverage still below ideal rate to prevent outbreaks: CDC https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/6033790-mmr-vaccine-coverage-falls-below-target/
Focusing On Healthy Aging Might Encourage Older Adults To Get Vaccinated https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/public-health/focusing-healthy-aging-might-encourage-older-adults-get-vaccinated
Focusing on healthy aging might encourage older adults to get vaccinated
A French study finds that heart or cognitive health benefits might be the biggest motivators.
cidrap.umn.edu
1 big thing: Prior authorization gets automation boost https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-vitals-cf5f1fa0-981c-11f1-8b09-17a9d1be2615.html?chunk=1&utm_term=twsocialshare#story1 #axiosvitals
Real-World Studies Show RSV Immunizations Protect Newborns In Their First Year Of Life https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv/real-world-studies-show-rsv-immunizations-protect-newborns-their
Of growing concern... 👇 "With 101 new cases, US measles total tops 2,500" https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/measles/101-new-cases-us-measles-total-tops-2500
With 101 new cases, US measles total tops 2,500
cidrap.umn.edu
CMS rural health fund could fall short for hospitals, senators fear http://www.modernhealthcare.com/politics-regulation/mh-rural-health-transformation-program-murkowski-collins/
CMS rural health fund could fall short for hospitals, senators fear
Some lawmakers who backed the Rural Health Transformation Program are voicing concerns about whether it will adequately support hospitals.
modernhealthcare.com
Millions of pregnant women traveling more than an hour to the doctor, new report finds https://www.nbcnews.com/health/womens-health/pregnant-women-doctor-access-risks-maternity-march-of-dimes-rcna591693
Millions of pregnant women traveling more than an hour to the doctor, new report finds
The annual March of Dimes report shows little progress for women who live in maternity care deserts.
nbcnews.com
A Federal Policy Is Complicating How Organizations Battle the Opioid Crisis https://www.medpagetoday.com/publichealthpolicy/opioids/122565
A Federal Policy Is Complicating How Organizations Battle the Opioid Crisis
SAMHSA has banned the use of federal grants for certain harm reduction practices
medpagetoday.com
Trump returns to controversial vaccine policy with order questioning childhood schedule https://www.statnews.com/2026/08/10/trump-return-to-vaccine-policy-executive-order/
Trump returns to controversial vaccine policy with order questioning childhood schedule
The Trump administration, which had recently avoided public discussions of vaccine policy because of concern around the political repercussions, is changing course.
statnews.com
1 big thing: We'll likely never know how COVID started https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-vitals-8aeec020-93f1-11f1-af11-ef8ea63c3896.html?chunk=1&utm_term=twsocialshare#story1 #axiosvitals
Rural hospitals fear CMS red tape will limit impact of $50B fund http://www.modernhealthcare.com/providers/mh-cms-rural-health-transformation-program-red-tape/
Rural hospitals fear CMS red tape will limit impact of $50B fund
Hospitals say Rural Health Transformation Program compliance burdens may slow projects and drain resources.
modernhealthcare.com
Mark Cruz to lead Indian Health Service amid staffing and infrastructure challenges https://apnews.com/article/indian-health-service-mark-cruz-confirmed-4a2e4eb483ac8649e80f3a345aa0a945
Mark Cruz to lead Indian Health Service amid staffing and infrastructure challenges
Senior Health and Human Services adviser Mark Cruz will now lead the U.S. agency that provides healthcare to some 2.8 million Native Americans.
apnews.com
Rural hospitals fear CMS red tape will limit impact of $50B fund https://www.modernhealthcare.com/providers/mh-cms-rural-health-transformation-program-red-tape/
Rural hospitals fear CMS red tape will limit impact of $50B fund
Hospitals say Rural Health Transformation Program compliance burdens may slow projects and drain resources.
modernhealthcare.com
ssociation Between First MMR Vaccination Before Age 2 Years and Childhood Autism in a U.S. EHR Cohort of 2.5 Million Children https://www.ovid.com/jnls/pidj/abstract/10.1097/inf.0000000000005349~association-between-first-mmr-vaccination-before-age-2-years?redirectionsource=fulltextview
Association Between First MMR Vaccination Before... : Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal
Background:Concerns about potential associations between measles–mumps–rubella (MMR) vaccination and autism persist despite extensive prior research....
ovid.com
Appalachia's black lung rates highest in nearly 50 years as miners' protections stall https://www.npr.org/2026/08/05/nx-s1-5894884/appalachia-black-lung-coal-miners-silica-dust
Appalachia's black lung rates highest in nearly 50 years as miners' protections stall
Rates are now as bad as the 1970s, with thousands of miners sick and dying. Mining experts blame toxic silica dust, now more common in mines.
npr.org
Pediatricians and Health Departments Sidestep Trump’s CDC on Vaccine Guidance https://kffhealthnews.org/public-health/pediatricians-health-departments-vaccine-guidance-cdc-trusted-source/
In Letter To Cousin RFK Jr., Health Advocate Warns About Threats To Disability Care https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/08/03/letter-cousin-rfk-jr-health-advocate-warns-about-threats-disability-care/
Something he should have been doing since DAY ONE in office... 👇 "RFK Jr tells US families to vaccinate children against measles amid outbreak" https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/aug/02/rfk-jr-measles-vaccination
Long-Acting Lenacapavir Still Delivered Effective HIV PrEP After a Year https://www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcoverage/iac/122449
Long-Acting Lenacapavir Still Delivered Effective HIV PrEP After a Year
Only one person developed HIV infection in year-long extensions of two PURPOSE trials
medpagetoday.com
Why smart vaccine policy matters https://phrma.org/blog/why-smart-vaccine-policy-matters
Why smart vaccine policy matters
phrma.org
Cabotegravir HIV PrEP Effective Among U.S. Women Despite Treatment Interruptions https://www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcoverage/iac/122469?utm_medium=social&utm_source=x&utm_campai
Cabotegravir HIV PrEP Effective Among U.S. Women Despite Treatment Interruptions
No cases of incident HIV over more than 1 year of follow-up in OPERA cohort
medpagetoday.com
How one overlooked patient fear stalled a Phase 2b trial and exposed the high cost of treating patient advocacy as an afterthought. https://blog.advocatebridge.org/p/eleven-of-twelve-sites-failed-nobody-asked-the-patients via Archo Advocacy
Many Black US patients with long COVID being missed, analysis reveals https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/many-black-us-patients-long-covid-being-missed-analysis-reveals
Many Black US patients with long COVID being missed, analysis reveals
cidrap.umn.edu
Federal survey shows promising trends for youth mental health and drug use https://apnews.com/article/mental-health-addiction-drugs-19d7638073fe40c7f36766b97e826349
Federal survey shows promising trends for youth mental health and drug use
A key U.S. government report on mental health, substance use and addiction shows continued improvements in several metrics, especially among young people.
apnews.com
Tracking State Rural Health Transformation Plans https://kffhealthnews.org/rural-health/tracking-state-rural-health-transformation-plans/
Tracking State Rural Health Transformation Plans - KFF Health News
KFF Health News is working to collect and post approved plans as more states respond to emails and public records requests for their documents.
kffhealthnews.org