January 7, 2024 | Volume XIV | Issue 1

HHS proposes new cyber-security requirements

Fierce Healthcare reports:


The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) proposed a rule days before the New Year began that would hold healthcare organizations to a higher standard for protecting sensitive healthcare information from security threats, like cyber attacks. 


The proposal would require that entities covered by the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) achieve specific technical standards like encryption and multifactor authentication. The rule also holds business associates to higher security standards, and emphasizes that group health plans have a responsibility to protect electronic health information.


Technology has changed significantly since the HIPAA Security Rule was last updated in 2013, the HHS' Office for Civil Rights (OCR) said in its notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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Congress’s Golden Opportunity for Reform

Christopher Dreisbach | Commentary


Electrical shocks from head to toe. Debilitating fatigue. Embarrassing cognitive impairment. As a result of a severe adverse reaction to the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine, these are just a few of the symptoms I endure daily. Formally a practicing attorney, instead of defending my clients in the courtroom, I spend much of my days either in a hot bath or in bed, desperately hoping for relief.


With that background, I was incensed, although not surprised, to learn last month that the Biden administration extended the Public Readiness Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act’s liability protections for Covid-19 vaccine manufacturers, until the end of 2029 under the auspice that the virus remains a “critical risk” to the American public.


Under the PREP Act, the Covid-19 vaccine-injured may only seek recovery for their injuries through the Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program (CICP). Significantly, they are ineligible to seek relief in the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP), available to those injured by almost all other vaccines.


Due to its unrealistic filing deadline, impossible standard of proof, paltry benefits, conflicting interests, and lack of judicial review, the CICP has currently rejected 98% of claims—compensating just twenty individuals nationwide.

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Aetna sues drugmakers

Healthcare Dive reports:


Aetna is suing nearly two dozen drugmakers for allegedly conspiring to overcharge the insurer for generic drugs.

The complaint, filed late last month in Superior Court in Hartford, Connecticut, argues pharmaceutical companies including Pfizer and Teva Pharmaceuticals collaborated through secret communications and meetings to fix the prices of certain generic medications, driving up costs for insurers, patients and the government.

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CDC reports first-ever American death connected to bird flu

WTKR News 3


An individual who was infected with the first severe case of bird flu in the U.S. has died, Louisiana health officials said on Monday. The name of the patient was not released; however, the individual was said to be over the age of 65 and had underlying medical conditions.

Watch the video HERE.

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