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<p>The upcoming lame duck session offers a crucial opportunity for Senators Cassidy and Van Hollen to advance the National Hepatitis C Elimination plan. With rising HCV cases and significant treatment gaps, federal intervention is needed to overcome barriers such as provider education, infrastructure, and support systems to ensure effective implementation and save lives.</p>

<p>In 2024, the integrity of U.S. public health programs faced challenges due to political polarization and funding cuts. Bipartisan support eroded, exemplified by the one-year reauthorization of PEPFAR and Tennessee’s rejection of CDC funding. Ongoing funding crises threaten disease prevention efforts, disproportionately impacting marginalized communities and undermining healthcare access.</p>

<p>Cigna and Humana are in preliminary merger discussions that could create a $140 billion insurance entity, raising concerns about healthcare access and drug affordability. The merger&#8217;s fate may hinge on the upcoming presidential election, which could shape regulatory attitudes towards consolidation, impacting millions relying on healthcare services and specialty medications.</p>

<p>The OIDP and ONAP have issued a Request for Information to shape the 2026-2030 national strategic plans addressing HIV/AIDS, STIs, vaccines, and viral hepatitis. This initiative invites public health stakeholders to provide input, ensuring policies reflect community needs and improve health outcomes, particularly for marginalized populations. Contributions are due by December 6, 2024.</p>

<p>Inflated prescription drug costs in the U.S. heavily burden patients with chronic conditions. Copay assistance programs, crucial for affordability, are threatened by recent policies and PBM practices that minimize support. Despite some state-level protections, significant federal action is necessary to ensure copay assistance counts towards patients&#8217; out-of-pocket costs and improves medication access.</p>

<p>The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed a complaint against major Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) like CVS Caremark, Express Scripts, and OptumRx, accusing them of anticompetitive practices that inflate drug costs, particularly insulin. The FTC aims to reform PBM operations, improving medication access and affordability. Legislative efforts, like the Pharmacists Fight Back Act, support these goals. The ongoing scrutiny may transform the pharmaceutical industry, impacting

<p>The Medicaid unwinding process beginning April 2023, due to the end of continuous enrollment, significantly affected healthcare access. Procedural disenrollments disproportionately impacted communities of color and vulnerable groups like PLWH. Challenges like outdated technology, staffing shortages, and communication barriers highlighted the need for more efficient and equitable policy interventions to maintain coverage.</p>

<p>Recent CDC data shows that individuals aged 13 to 34 accounted for 56% of new HIV diagnoses in the U.S. in 2022, highlighting the urgent need for innovative prevention methods. Gamification presents a promising approach, utilizing game mechanics to engage youth and promote healthy behaviors, thus enhancing public health efforts against HIV.</p>

<p>The dual reality faced by those living with HIV encompasses both medical and mental health challenges, exacerbated by stigma, trauma, and social inequities. Effective care requires integrating mental health services into HIV treatment, addressing psychological needs, and advocating for systemic change to foster resilience and improve overall well-being for affected individuals.</p>

<p>In 2022, over half of new HIV diagnoses in the U.S. were among youth under 35, with the Southern states notably impacted. The CHOOSE study aims to enhance PrEP access for at-risk young people, but restrictive policies impede efforts. Advocacy is crucial for legal reforms and equitable healthcare access for youth.</p>

<p>Dontrace Young’s story underscores the challenges faced by those leaving incarceration, particularly in accessing healthcare and the risks of opioid overdose. Innovative programs in New Orleans and Connecticut bridge these gaps by prioritizing community engagement and culturally responsive care, emphasizing that true health equity requires addressing social determinants and dismantling barriers to care.</p>