Healthcare industry news

Here are some recent news stories and updates from the healthcare industry:

COVID-19 Updates

• The US has surpassed 30 million reported cases of COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
• The FDA has authorized the use of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine for children as young as 12 years old.
• The CDC has issued new guidance on mask-wearing, recommending that fully vaccinated individuals wear masks in public indoor settings in areas with high transmission rates.

Healthcare Policy and Reform

• The Biden administration has proposed a new rule to improve access to healthcare for low-income individuals and families by expanding Medicaid eligibility.
• The House of Representatives has passed a bill to lower prescription drug prices by allowing Medicare to negotiate prices with pharmaceutical companies.
• The Trump administration has finalized a rule to allow states to impose work requirements on Medicaid recipients, despite opposition from many healthcare organizations.

Telehealth and Digital Health

• The FDA has cleared a new telehealth platform that allows patients to remotely monitor their blood glucose levels and receive personalized health advice.
• A new study has found that telehealth visits have increased by 50% since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Amazon has launched a new telehealth service, Amazon Care, which allows patients to schedule virtual appointments with healthcare providers.

Medical Research and Breakthroughs

• Scientists have made a breakthrough in the development of a new cancer treatment that uses genetically modified viruses to target and destroy cancer cells.
• Researchers have discovered a new gene that is associated with an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.
• A new study has found that a common antibiotic can be used to treat a rare and often fatal genetic disorder.

Hospital and Healthcare System News

• The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Health System has announced plans to build a new hospital in the San Fernando Valley.
• The Cleveland Clinic has launched a new program to provide free healthcare services to low-income individuals and families.
• The Mayo Clinic has announced plans to expand its presence in the Midwest by opening new clinics and hospitals in several states.

Pharmaceutical and Biotech News

• Pfizer has announced plans to acquire BioNTech, a German biotech company that developed the COVID-19 vaccine.
• Johnson & Johnson has announced plans to acquire Momenta Pharmaceuticals, a biotech company that develops treatments for autoimmune diseases.
• A new study has found that a common over-the-counter pain reliever can be used to treat a rare and often debilitating genetic disorder.

Healthcare IT and Technology

• Epic Systems, a leading healthcare IT company, has announced plans to acquire a rival company, Cerner Corporation.
• A new study has found that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare can improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.
• The FDA has cleared a new medical device that uses AI to detect and diagnose breast cancer.