New sickle cell gene therapies are a breakthrough, but solving how to pay their high prices is a struggle

[ad_1] The approval of two gene therapies to treat sickle cell disease has given hope to patients who suffer from the debilitating disease, which overwhelmingly affects Black people and people of color. Health officials now face a challenge in finding a way to provide equitable access to the costly treatments. The crippling episodes of pain…

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Nearly all doctors feel burnout, but many are encouraged by potential of AI, survey says

[ad_1] Suriyapong Thongsawang | Moment | Getty Images Doctors in the U.S. are struggling to contend with burnout, staffing shortages and overwhelming administrative workloads, but many are optimistic that artificial intelligence could help to ease these problems, a new survey found.  More than 90% of physicians report feeling burned out on a “regular basis,” according…

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Healthy Returns: Higher medical costs are pinching insurers

[ad_1] A UnitedHealth Group health insurance card is seen in a wallet, Oct.14, 2019. Lucy Nicholson | Reuters Good afternoon! Health insurers are feeling the squeeze as older patients head to the doctor more than expected. CVS, which owns health insurer Aetna, on Wednesday slashed its full-year profit outlook, citing the potential for higher medical costs to…

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Humana stock plunges on dismal 2024 forecast, as insurers face soaring medical costs

[ad_1] A Humana Inc. office building in Louisville, Kentucky, Feb. 3, 2019. Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images Shares of Humana plummeted Thursday after the health insurer issued dismal full-year earnings guidance, citing soaring medical costs that are dogging the broader insurance industry. Those expenses have spiked as an increasing number of older adults return…

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