AMS NEWS

Health Alert Network (HAN) Update

Distributed via the CDC Health Alert Network May 25, 2016 Diagnostic Testing of Urine Specimens for Suspected Zika Virus Infection Summary On May 13, 2016, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued interim guidance that recommends Zika virus rRT-PCR testing of urine collected less than 14 days…

House passes multiple bills to address opioid epidemic

The U.S. House of Representatives earlier this month passed 18 bills to address the opioid epidemic, including the Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Reduction Act (H.R. 5046), which would authorize various grant programs through the Department of Justice. The House also passed H.R. 4641, which would establish an inter-agency task…

CMS unveils new rules for Medicaid managed care

Article from the AMA Morning Rounds, 4/26/16. The AP (4/26, Alonso-Zaldivar) reports that on Monday, the Federal government “set new standards for Medicaid private insurance plans, which in recent years have become the main source of coverage for low-income people.” These rules impact “insurers operating as Medicaid middlemen…