Author:Aaron ONeill
Alabama Supreme Court Rules Frozen Embryos are Children Under Its Constitution: What Does this Mean for IVF?
The Alabama Supreme Court ruled last month that frozen embryos, commonly used for In-Vitro Fertility (IVF) treatments are considered children under the Alabama constitution. This ruling has caused significant unease among fertility clinics in Alabama and those in states with other staunch pro-life states. To make matters worse, the court did not specifically provide a road map as to how fertility clinics may operate in order to avoid civil monetary damages or potentially criminal prosecution under state statute. While it is too early for panic in other states, fertility clinics in Alabama and other pro-life states should pay close attention to the ruling and the actions within their states in the near future to observe how states choose to apply their anti-abortion legislation.
Biden Ties Medicare Reimbursement to Sepsis Treatment
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), finalized CMS-1785-P in August, a rule that links Medicare reimbursement to the treatment of sepsis. Previously, hospitals were required to report on their sepsis treatment patients, but there was no penalty for not adhering to treatment guidelines. Beginning in Fall 2024, hospitals must meet the specific treatment benchmarks integrated into Medicare’s Hospital Value-Based Purchasing Program (MHVBPP) specifically the provisions outlined in the Severe Sepsis/Septic Shock Management Bundle (SEP-1). Failing to meet these benchmarks could result in significant financial losses for hospitals, ranging from thousands to millions of dollars for larger entities. While hospitals should presently be aware of these requirements and implement plans to meet them, there are concerns about whether the proposed rule is the optimal solution for improving outcomes for sepsis patients.
Neuropsychological Exams for Physicians: Good Practice or Discrimination?
Recent instances of politicians experiencing medical episodes in the public eye have sparked discussions regarding age limits for politicians. However, a parallel conversation is emerging about the healthcare professionals responsible for our well-being. About four years ago, a small number of health care institutions began implementing various forms of neuropsychological testing policies for older physicians. Since then – over the past few years – this practice has continued to grow and become increasingly controversial. The ongoing debate centers around determining the appropriate age to commence testing for physicians, the specific parameters to test for, and the ethics of mandating such testing. These questions remain subjects of ongoing debate, yet considering the rising demographic of physicians over the age of 60, there is a growing argument for integrating some form of neuropsychological examination.
The Attack on Gender Affirming Care: How Should Providers in Sanctuary States React?
The political debate surrounding Gender Affirming Care (GAC) is gaining momentum nationwide as 22 states have already enacted laws that restrict medical professionals from offering hormonal and/or surgical treatments to transgender minors. Despite endorsement and approval of this treatment by various medical organizations, such as the AMA, efforts to limit access for minors continues to press forward. Aside from the ongoing battle between politicians and medical providers, the constitutional implications of such legislation remain uncertain.