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The Affordable Care Act (ACA) health insurance marketplaces are
poised to break enrollment records for the third consecutive year, with
over nineteen million Americans signing up for Obamacare plans.
HealthCare.gov saw its largest day ever on December 15, with 745,000
enrollments, and the current total includes individuals from both
state-based and federal marketplaces.
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Amidst challenges accessing newer weight loss drugs like Zepbound
and Wegovy, older medications in the category, such as Ozempic and
Wegovy, are experiencing a resurgence. Insurance hurdles and
shortages often impede access to the newer drugs, prompting patients
and doctors to turn to older alternatives like bupropion, metformin, and
phentermine, which can be more affordable and come in pill form,
avoiding the need for injections
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A controversial Census Bureau proposal to change disability estimation
methods by shifting from yes-or-no questions to rating difficulty levels
has sparked concerns among advocates, potentially reducing the
estimated share of the U.S. population with disabilities by about 40%.
Critics fear it could impact access to resources and legal protections for
disabled individuals.
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The U.S. is currently experiencing a "sharp increase" in flu levels,
particularly in the southern regions, and COVID-19 cases are also on the
rise nationally, according to Dr. Mandy Cohen, the director of the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention. Although cases of respiratory
syncytial virus (RSV) have peaked earlier this season, Cohen stated that
the U.S. is not yet near the peak for flu or COVID-19, emphasizing the
importance of updated vaccinations to address emerging variants like
JN.1.
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The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the
AutoGenomics AvertD test, a genetic tool designed to assess the risk of
developing opioid use disorder (OUD). The test analyzes 15 genetic
markers related to the brain's reward pathways and addiction. While some
experts are skeptical about its use in clinical practice, the FDA sees it as a
step forward in efforts to prevent new cases of OUD and support
treatment, aiming to decrease the misuse of opioid analgesics.
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