Iowa governor signs law to reform prior authorization, out-of-network penalties

https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/legal-regulatory-issues/iowa-governor-signs-law-to-reform-prior-authorization-out-of-network-penalties/?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9oamlqlAECz0fQCi6Q7yna_QGn-X8qrf9rfs6f4s0V383LvCmJMMaSDWAkRLB9yFzMkk4Pes0EZjmXFrwZwV9LCjZyYQ&_hsmi=418752874&utm_content=418752874&utm_source=hs_email Becker's Hospital Review: Iowa Governor Signs Law To Reform Prior Authorization, Out-Of-Network Penalties Iowa Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a law May 13 that enacts prior authorization reforms and prohibits insurers from penalizing providers for out-of-network referrals, according to the Iowa Hospital Association. Under the law, while initial prior authorization reviews can be done by AI, these algorithms and systems cannot be the sole basis for determining denials, downgrades or delays. Health insurance carriers cannot impose fines or other financial penalties due to a provider’s referral to an out-of-network provider, either. (Casolo, 5/13)

VACCINES +++++

VACCINES Bloomberg: Hantavirus Vaccine Research Stalls In Chile After Funding Runs Out Virologist María Inés Barría remembers the Eureka moment from a decade ago. Barría and her team in Chile had been working for months on antibodies to treat hantavirus that kills about one-in-three people who contract it. The breakthrough came around 2016, when a telltale fluorescent green glow indicating the presence of the virus disappeared under a microscope. ... After later success in animal trials, the lab was ready to work with international partners to start testing on humans. Then they ran out of money. (Mufarech and Smith, 5/13) https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-05-13/hantavirus-scientists-were-close-to-vaccine-but-ran-out-of-money?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--WktT92AMYpuc-qumElGC64qw3RCO9OuquAem-xJkzwm_W-ZqFrieaFWBy1qGcvAu9EtE8XGBM6Ew0s7MfV9_9eRorQg&_hsmi=418752874&utm_content=418752874&utm_source=hs_email&embedded-checkout=true CIDRAP: 1 In 4 US Kids With Travel-Acquired Malaria Face Delayed Diagnosis, Raising Risk Of Severe Disease Delayed diagnosis of travel-acquired malaria was common among children treated at US hospitals and was linked to a higher risk of severe disease, according to a new study published late last week in Pediatrics. A team led by researchers at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) reviewed 171 pediatric malaria cases across nine US hospitals from 2016 through 2023. Approximately one-third of children developed severe malaria, though no deaths occurred. (Bergeson, 5/13) https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/malaria/1-4-us-kids-travel-acquired-malaria-face-delayed-diagnosis-raising-risk-severe-disease?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8zXpW1oONPJdJa9U-8ZfPuBoLcDoKXHGYSSpZsQgT5fM3hd6cvPKLfeFbLcfITBlx3uRBA7TcvJo7Gy0CmTW16bCk-CA&_hsmi=418752874&utm_content=418752874&utm_source=hs_email CIDRAP: Review By Vaccine Integrity Project Supports Tdap Vaccination During Pregnancy Infants born to mothers who received the tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine during pregnancy are less likely to contract pertussis (whooping cough), develop complications, and die of the disease than those without such protection, a report today from the University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) suggests. (Van Beusekom, 5/13) https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/diphtheria/review-vaccine-integrity-project-supports-tdap-vaccination-during-pregnancy?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--3Y2UXtNe5IMTB0CliO5i_JOZFhKekRzaQ4iu_foBZEYXj8K0TG0RrfbzS2z-yraXA_d66p6sNYRpT9POEkIGSY9Ai0w&_hsmi=418752874&utm_content=418752874&utm_source=hs_email CIDRAP: Public Health Alerts: Intramuscular Immunoglobulin For Measles Postexposure Prophylaxis A Public Health Alerts report today details successful administration of intramuscular immunoglobulin (IMIG) as post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP, for prevention) to 11 babies exposed to measles in Utah last year. IMIG is an option for preventing measles in infants after exposure to a person with the disease, wrote the authors, from the Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and elsewhere in Utah. Typical dose is 0.5 milliliters (mL) per kilogram (kg), but no clear PEP guidelines exist. (Wappes, 5/13) https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/measles/public-health-alerts-intramuscular-immunoglobulin-measles-postexposure-prophylaxis?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8tknV-3D9GYQ2S8v8KI6kakWwfeiWzIsOJz2mvsNtNH7QwJsMeLzDMwaMyLJt7sjiCE6aS0OLJxYmQXwiaTjeJlDRcew&_hsmi=418752874&utm_content=418752874&utm_source=hs_email CIDRAP: Study Highlights State-Level Differences In HPV Vaccine Uptake A new study shows wide state-level variation in the uptake of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. The study, which analyzed data from the 2023 National Immunization Survey-Teen (NIS-Teen), found that states in the Northeast census region had significantly higher odds of HPV vaccine uptake, while states in the South had significantly lower odds. But even within regions, there was wide variability. (Dall, 5/13) https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/human-papillomavirus-hpv/study-highlights-state-level-differences-hpv-vaccine-uptake?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9cCion-oHaRe1habzcl5vvCoRBc_Z1vpuZdPJzz1bIkQA9hPWs1hGKTKWgy1tmNsV5iGzMZvRpkxZS14QQjSZEW3OBsQ&_hsmi=418752874&utm_content=418752874&utm_source=hs_email

Viewpoints: FDA Has Opportunity To Reboot After Makary Exit; Hantavirus Outbreak Reveals Detection Gap

https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/viewpoints-fda-opportunity-to-reboot-after-makary-exit-hantavirus-outbreak-reveals-detection-gap/

Research Roundup: The Latest Science, Discoveries, And Breakthroughs

https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/research-roundup-the-latest-science-discoveries-and-breakthroughs-68/

Bipartisan Initiative To Cap Insulin Costs, Increase Coverage Becomes Law In Virginia

Bipartisan Initiative To Cap Insulin Costs, Increase Coverage Becomes Law In Virginia New measures signed by Gov. Abigail Spanberger, a Democrat, limit the out-of-pocket cost of insulin to $35 and expand what insurance plans must cover. The laws go into effect July 1. Also: Iowa enacts prior authorization reform; and more. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/states-118/

National Study Underscores Disparities In State-Level HPV Vaccine Uptake

National Study Underscores Disparities In State-Level HPV Vaccine Uptake An analysis of the 2023 National Immunization Survey-Teen found that states in the Northeast census region had significantly higher odds of HPV vaccine uptake, while states in the South had significantly lower odds, CIDRAP reports. The HPV vaccine is credited with lowering the cervical cancer risk by 80% in women vaccinated by age 16 and by 66% in those vaccinated after 16. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/vaccines-2/

Doctors Report More Burnout Than Nurses Around AI Use In Healthcare

Doctors Report More Burnout Than Nurses Around AI Use In Healthcare Fierce Healthcare reports that nurses feel they have more time with patients and are more accepting of AI in the workplace. Doctors, on the other hand, are more skeptical of new technologies, as they already feel overburdened and lack the time to adjust to the latest technology. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/industry-2/