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Good morning. The week is nearly over, but first, we have two days of an FDA peptides panel to cover. Scroll down for a preview.
Ebola has claimed over 1,000 lives
The African CDC reports that more than 1,000 people have died in the most rapidly expanding Ebola outbreak on record. Jean Kaseya, director-general of the agency, remarked yesterday, “These are people dying. They are dying because we don’t have vaccines, we don’t have medicine, we don’t have funding.” Read more from the AP on the situation.
Currently, no approved vaccines or treatments exist for the Bundibugyo species of ebolavirus. However, as STAT’s Helen Branswell noted last night, research suggests that a Merck vaccine developed for a different virus species may offer some protection and help control the outbreak. Read more on the progress of this research.
Progress towards a federal men’s health office
According to STAT’s Annalisa Merelli, a bipartisan bill proposing the creation of an office of men’s health within HHS will be introduced in the Senate today. Unlike previous attempts, this year has seen significant bipartisan support. The Senate’s proposal reflects a similar one introduced in the House, marking the first time it has gained cross-party backing. Read more from Nalis on the details.
Impact of new obstetrics payment codes
Traditionally in the U.S., the cost of childbirth, covering doctors and hospital fees, has been billed as a single lump sum post-delivery. In March, the American Medical Association announced that this “global” fee model will be replaced by a pay-as-you-go approach at the year’s end, introducing separate payment codes for services like prenatal and postpartum visits, fetal monitoring, and more.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists supported this change, celebrating the new billing method as it aims to simplify the understanding of costs for patients and enhance both care and the overall understanding of maternal health. In a First Opinion essay, two ACOG leaders express “good riddance” to bundled care and explain their reasons for advocating the change.
The AMA claims the change will be cost-neutral, but not everyone agrees. In a counterpoint essay, health policy and management expert Jeff Levin-Scherz suggests that the new payment model might increase maternity care costs, potentially affecting employers who sponsor health insurance plans. Nevertheless, he outlines ways to prepare for these changes. Read more on how.
Extended wait for reinstatement after vaccine refusal
In his first month back in office, President Trump signed an executive order to reinstate all service members discharged, or who left voluntarily, for refusing the Covid vaccine. This order affects almost 8,000 active-duty and reserve troops who were involuntarily separated after refusing the shot, with more than half not receiving honorable discharges. Trump also promised “full back pay.”
Leah Rosenbaum, a reporter at The War Horse, interviewed four service members trying to take advantage of the Trump administration’s offer. All reported facing months of bureaucratic delays, despite being assured of priority. “It’s like a huge slap in the face,” commented a Coast Guardsman who found their first offer insufficient. Read more from Leah on the developments since the order was signed.
Anticipated dispute at today’s peptide panel
Despite lacking safety data, peptide usage is on the rise among Americans. (“I’m a peptide princess right now,” comedian Gabby Bryan remarked in a podcast interview, noting that while she could obtain six peptides from a doctor, her Arizona dealer is cheaper.) An FDA panel is set to meet today and tomorrow to consider regulatory changes that would make certain peptides more accessible through official channels.
The debate centers on whether compounding pharmacies should be allowed to manufacture seven peptides currently deemed unsafe for production. Health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. argues that obtaining them from FDA-inspected facilities is safer than “very, very substandard” grey- and black-market options. However, critics — including FDA staff — contend that the safety of higher quality compounded peptides remains uncertain. Read more from STAT’s Sarah Todd and Lizzy Lawrence about what’s anticipated at the panel and who will make the final decision.
What we’re reading
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American scientists see prosecutions as part of federal campaign against them, KFF Health News
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Cyclosporiasis cases in the United States reach a record high, New York Times
- Tennis becomes the first major women’s sports league to mandate genetic testing, The 19th
- Federal judge questions Hegseth’s ‘high-T’ military plan in light of Trump’s anti-trans ban, Law Dork
- States aim to extend Medicaid to incarcerated individuals, but federal changes pose challenges, Tradeoffs
