@PolicyCandy

Tweets are my own views and do not necessarily reflect the position of any associated organization. Nerd. Trans guy. Typos abundant.

 New Orleans, LA
tiicann.org
Joined February 2017
  • Tweets28.6K
  • Following1.1K
  • Followers853
280Media
As the saying goes, some professional news: I am extremely honored to accept the position of President & CEO of Community Access National Network. Learn more about our work at tiicann.org & review our acclaimed HIV/HCV Co-infection Watch at HIV-HCV-Watch.com

Community Access National Network (CANN) – Healthcare Access Policy Institute

A national healthcare access policy institute working where policy meets patients — analyzing 340B, PDABs, PBM reform, and drug pricing.

tiicann.org
TIICANN
@TIICANN17 Nov 2021
CANN Taps Jen Laws as President & CEO - mailchi.mp/tiicann/hivhcv-co…
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Julie O'Donoghue@JSODonoghueOct 16
Louisiana opened a special enrollment period yesterday for 274k Medicaid recipients who need to switch Medicaid plans because Elevance/Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana is ending its Medicaid plan in 2027. #lalege lailluminator.com/2026/10/15…

Louisiana opens enrollment for 274,000 Medicaid recipients who must switch plans • Louisiana...

Healthy Blue, offered by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana and Elevance Health, is pulling out of Louisiana’s Medicaid program at the end of the year.

lailluminator.com
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Paige W. Cunningham@pw_cunninghamOct 16
Scoop: Healthcare.gov premiums for benchmark plans are set to rise 11% on average in 2027. It's the 2nd year in a row for double-digit spikes but not nearly as bad as last yr's 30%. Insurer participation is down 14%. washingtonsun.com/health/aca…
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Peter Sullivan@PeterSullivan4Oct 16
It will be a good time to be Lisa Murkowski next year. She's positioned to take over top R on either HELP, or if Collins loses, Approps w/ @AnthonyAdragna @sn_handler punchbowl.news/article/senat…
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Brian Reid@brianreidOct 15
"You do need a villain, and that villain is insurance companies." -- @RepAuchincloss to the life science attendees at the @statnews Summit.
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LenaSun@bylenasunOct 13
I am devastated by this news. Helen was the queen of public health reporting. She knew her stuff. Pressed relentlessly for answers. Meticulous in documenting how officials were ducking questions. And always considerate to colleagues and competitors alike. statnews.com/2026/10/13/hele…

Helen Branswell, whose reporting on infectious diseases and public health drew acclaim, dies at 69

Helen Branswell, STAT's infectious disease reporter who earned the respect of experts and public health officials with her accessible, prescient dispatches, has died at age 69.

statnews.com
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This is devastating to a community of readers and colleagues who replied on Branswell's accessible and timely reporting on all manner of things. Our thoughts are with those closest to her.
STAT
@statnewsOct 13
Helen Branswell, STAT's infectious disease reporter who earned the respect of experts and public health officials with her accessible, prescient dispatches, has died at age 69. trib.al/3bBswKg

Helen Branswell, whose reporting on infectious diseases and public health drew acclaim, dies at 69

Helen Branswell, STAT's infectious disease reporter who earned the respect of experts and public health officials with her accessible, prescient dispatches, has died at age 69.

statnews.com
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KFF@KFFOct 12
The FDA is considering rules for evaluating AI that makes clinical decisions with less direct physician involvement. Public comment is open through Oct. 19. What we're watching: What standards will decide whether these tools are accurate and safe enough? on.kff.org/4yJyprc

AI in Health Care Moves Toward More Autonomous Roles — The Monitor | KFF

Federal health agencies are testing AI applications that move into patient care typically handled by physicians. And recent research suggests people may place more trust in conversational AI, while...

kff.org
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ProPublica
@propublicaOct 9
New: We’re looking into the ways health insurers’ use of prior authorization — the extra layer of approval insurers require before covering a medical expense — impacts patients. We need your help. propub.li/4hMz1oy

We’re Investigating Prior Authorization. Help ProPublica Understand Your Health Insurance Denial.

ProPublica is looking into the ways health insurers’ use of prior authorization impacts patients. We need your help to figure out if the process is still leading to delayed or missed treatments,...

propublica.org
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Ted Okon
@TedOkonCOAOct 6
Ohio released it's report on #340B. Eye opening that Cleveland Clinic reported $272M (as in MILLION) in acquisition costs & $599M in payments for 340B drugs in-house. $22M costs & $70M in payments in 132 contract pharmacies. Can you say 340B profits? odh.ohio.gov/know-our-progra…
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HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute
@HIVHepOct 6
Nice suggestions, however we still need the insurers & PBMs to implement this requriement. Beyond A Seat At The Table: Meaningful Patient Representation On Pharmacy And Therapeutics Committees | Health Affairs healthaffairs.org/content/fo…

Beyond A Seat At The Table: Meaningful Patient Representation On Pharmacy And Therapeutics Commit...

We can strengthen formulary decision making by enhancing governance, incorporating patient experience into evidence review, broadening how value is assessed, and evaluating whether patient particip...

healthaffairs.org
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Adriel Bettelheim@abettelOct 6
FTC warns hospitals on price transparency axios.com/newsletters/axios-… #axiosfutureofhealthcare

Axios Future of Health Care - FTC warns hospitals on price transparency

axios.com
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Helen Branswell 🇨🇦
@HelenBranswellOct 2
The #Ebola outbreak in DRC isn't getting much attention these days. It should be. statnews.com/2026/10/02/ebol…

An Ebola treatment center was burned down as the death toll in Congo passes 4,000

Congo's Ebola outbreak has killed more than 4,000 people, authorities said, as they struggle to contain what has become the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak in history.

statnews.com
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TIICANN
@TIICANNOct 2
This week on Capitol Hill, 340B Policy Director @kalvin_pugh joined esteemed panelists from @blkwomenshealth, Choose Healthy Life, @OLHAAdvocacy, and @NatUrbanLeague to discuss #340B reform, including patient and community perspectives on access, transparency, and accountability.
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Joan Alker@JoanAlker1Oct 1
Nebraska, the 1st state to start Medicaid work reporting requirements, released data on the 1st few mos. Over 1,000 people lost/were denied coverage - the vast majority NOT bcuz they’re not working but bcuz of red tape and process failures. My new blog ccf.georgetown.edu/2026/09/3…

What do Results from First State to Impose Medicaid Work Mandate Reveal?

At a recent Medicaid Advisory Committee meeting, the state of Nebraska, the first in the nation to implement what will soon be a mandatory Medicaid work reporting requirement (WRR), shared the first...

ccf.georgetown.edu
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Madelaine Feldman@MattieRheumMDSep 30
I was glad to have the opportunity to speak briefly with Ansleigh Edwards of WGXA.TV in Atlanta. about a new report highlighting the very real consequences patients can face when insurers deny or delay needed care. @CSROAdvocacy wgxa.tv/news/local/macon-wom…

Home

WGXA News Fox 24 and ABC 16 in Macon Georgia provides local and national news, weather, sports and notice of community events in surrounding towns, including Warner Robins, Gray, Forsyth, Musella,...

wgxa.tv
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TIICANN
@TIICANNSep 28
Vertical Integration-maxxing: UnitedHealth Group was recently under scrutiny by @iamjohnoliver in @LastWeekTonight, thanks to the Sunlight Report's findings on “the nearly 2,700 acquisitions and internally created subsidiaries that make up UnitedHealth Group, the largest health care conglomerate in the world.” Read more via Sunlight Report, courtesy of @cforhd >> sunlightreportinsurance.com/…
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Why not both?
Emma Camp
@emmma_camp_Sep 27
It's easy to hate insurance companies, but do you have the courage to hate hospitals?
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Bridge connection and system preparation for returning citizens is one of the most significant keys to preventing recidivism. ->
Ted Alcorn@TedAlcornSep 24
This week CMS approved long-pending Medicaid waivers for LA, MN, NV & DC that allow it to cover care in the weeks *before* someone leaves prison or jail, like addiction treatment + meds to go home with. My @nytimes story from March on how it works: nytimes.com/2026/03/13/healt…

A New Lifeline Helps Inmates Transition to Life Outside the Bars (Gift Article)

Medicaid is now paying for health care in jails and prisons, helping smooth inmates’ return to the community. Corrections and law enforcement officials say they’re all for it.

nytimes.com
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Council for Affordable Health Coverage
@C4AHCSep 24
Charity care in Iowa hospitals accounted for just 0.9% of total operating costs at Iowa’s 340B hospitals from 2014 to 2022 while these hospitals saw assets increase by 17% and charity care decreased by 17%. The math ain't mathing. desmoinesregister.com/story/… via @DMRegister

Iowa cancer bills also tied to hospitals abusing drug law | Opinion

The program was intended to ensure care was available to rural and low-income urban Americans, but that's not at all how it works, writes Greg Ganske.

desmoinesregister.com
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This faces an uphill battle if previous litigation, like LCMC's acquisitions here in Louisiana, is any indicator. But viewed under anti-competitiveness, these mergers deserve hightened scrutiny. ->
Hospital Facts
@HospFactCheckSep 24
We aren’t the only ones worried about hospital mergers. The FTC is warning that financial distress doesn’t give hospitals a free pass to merge at the expense of patients. Good. Regulators should keep the pressure on and stop deals that mean higher costs and less competition. axios.com/newsletters/axios-…

⚕️ Overton's big moment

axios.com
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