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Is a new precedent emerging for long-term care admissions?
In North Carolina, two skilled nursing facilities have agreed to implement new anti-discrimination admission policies following a lawsuit settlement involving a “John Doe” who faced denial of admission. These policies will affect individuals currently using illegal substances as well as those on addiction medications. While facilities can adhere to their own policies regarding patient drug use, they cannot outright reject individuals based solely on their past substance use.
“Had our client been evaluated with non-discriminatory policies, he would likely have been accepted,” commented Sara Harrington, an attorney from Disability Rights North Carolina. “He has been in a facility now for over a year, and concerns previously raised by the other facilities were unfounded, as he has proven to be an exemplary resident.” Read more from STAT’s Lev Facher on how this settlement may influence the treatment of individuals with addiction at long-term care facilities nationwide.
AMA Steps into the AI Regulation Arena
The American Medical Association has unveiled a new Center for Digital Health and AI, a key initiative by CEO John Whyte, who assumed office in June. Whyte disclosed to STAT’s Mario Aguilar that significant financial investments will back this center, and he is on the lookout for a senior vice president to spearhead operations.
By establishing this center, the AMA joins various organizations vying for authority over standards for artificial intelligence, particularly as its adoption in healthcare expands. This initiative coincides with increasing tensions as the Trump administration intensifies its criticisms against the Coalition for Health AI, which has been developing frameworks for the evaluation of AI applications in healthcare. Meanwhile, the AMA has been navigating a complex political landscape while advocating for the interests of its member physicians. Mario conversed with Whyte to discuss what the new center aims to achieve, the AMA’s perspective on “augmented” intelligence, and concerns about potential backlash from the federal government. Read more.
Congo Discharges Its Last Ebola Patient
The WHO reported on Sunday that Congo has successfully discharged its last Ebola patient from the most recent outbreak, initiating a 42-day countdown to officially declare the outbreak over, provided no new cases arise. As of now, no additional patients have been identified since September 25. You can find further details in this AP article.
Doctor Mike Discusses Building Trust in Public Health
At last week’s STAT Summit, YouTuber Doctor Mike shared his candid views on content generated by medical organizations like the AMA. Today, STAT’s Alex Hogan, who interviewed Mike Varshavski during the event, has released a new video featuring more of the physician’s insights on enhancing medicine’s approach to social media.
Varshavski launched his channel in 2017, identifying a gap in evidence-based voices online. “This void was filled by untrustworthy sources, by individuals promoting miracle cures, and we weren’t present to combat that narrative,” he stated.
Catch the latest video in Alex’s STATus Report series. And make sure to watch until the end for a sneak peek at STAT’s second annual karaoke event…
Research Finds Long Covid Treatment Fails to Live Up to Hype
Back in early 2021, STAT’s Matt Herper highlighted the optimistic buzz surrounding a gout medication believed to lower hospitalization risks caused by Covid-19. However, experts warned that the research data was insufficient for definitive conclusions. Approximately a year later, data confirmed that colchicine did not provide protective benefits for patients with acute Covid-19. A recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine reports similarly disappointing outcomes regarding colchicine’s efficacy in treating long Covid symptoms.
Though it was considered a “biologically plausible” option, the study revealed that participants using the drug showed no significant improvement in functional capacity or respiratory function compared to the placebo group. Additionally, inflammatory markers and symptoms such as depression, fatigue, and shortness of breath remained similar.
(To provide context regarding this drug: The FDA approved colchicine in 2023 as an anti-inflammatory for heart disease, but its adoption among physicians has been sluggish. Conversely, access to colchicine has been nearly impossible for patients with chronic conditions like familial Mediterranean fever in Gaza, as discussed by a Palestinian writer in a recent First Opinion essay.)
Navigating the Conversation Around Uncertainty
In discussions surrounding Covid, the origins of the virus remain an intensely debated topic. A new First Opinion essay penned by two Harvard public health professors emphasizes the valuable lessons drawn from “the brief yet significant history” of the Covid origin question.
“We believe that students (and potentially all of us) gain from engaging with the arguments of those who firmly believe they possess accurate information, even as such advocates often reach deeply divergent and sometimes irreconcilable conclusions — regardless of partisanship,” the authors contend. Discover more about how they are mentoring today’s public health students on this contentious issue.
Potentially Unwelcome Clues for RFK Jr. and Allies
Keep this under wraps from health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: “colorful food additives.” And way back in 2020, many folks raised eyebrows over: “Masks and globes for safety, for short.” Complete this week’s mini crossword.
Current Reading Selections
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A glimpse into Brooke Eby’s life with ALS: A week captured through her phone camera, The Cut
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The surge in egg freezing: Yet most will never utilize the eggs, Rewire News Group
- First Opinion: CMS claims reductions in fraud effort. Patients like myself may face life-threatening consequences, STAT
- New studies reveal cannabis alleviates back pain, NPR
- Merck unveils major advancements at a significant cancer conference, which may influence its future, STAT
