US health chief Kennedy met with insurers on prior authorization requirements
WASHINGTON, June 23 (Reuters) - U.S. health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. met with major health insurers on Monday, extracting pledges that they will take additional measures to simplify their requirements for prior approval on medicines and medical services.
Insurers including UnitedHealth Group Inc's (UNH.N), opens new tab UnitedHealthcare, CVS Health Corp's (CVS.N), opens new tab Aetna, Cigna Group (CI.N), opens new tab, Humana Inc (HUM.N), opens new tab, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and Kaiser Permanente met with Kennedy and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Mehmet Oz, the Department of Health and Human Services said in a statement.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Huge boost in fight against colon cancer: Daily over-the-counter pill already in millions of medicine cabinets PREVENTS disease, study reveals
Taking a daily aspirin could help prevent bowel cancer in thousands of people at high risk, new research suggests. A major British study has found that even a low dose of the over-the-counter drug can halve the chances of developing the disease—offering protection with fewer side effects than previously thought. The findings are particularly important for people with Lynch syndrome—an inherited condition that affects about 175,000 people in the UK. It dramatically increases the lifetime risk of bowel cancer and other types of cancer. While the NHS already recommends aspirin for those with the condition, only around a quarter are currently taking it—often due to fears over side effects such as indigestion, ulcers and kidney problems. Researchers, led by Professor Sir John Burn of Newcastle University and funded by Cancer Research UK, found that a daily dose as low as 75 to 100mg—commonly known as 'baby aspirin'—was just as effective as the 600mg dose used in previous studies. 'The trial now tells us that aspirin can prevent bowel cancer at lower doses, minimising the chances of side-effects whilst offering vital protection,' said Professor Burn. He added: 'Too many people are missing out on a potentially life-changing opportunity to prevent cancer.' Lynch syndrome is thought to be responsible for around three per cent of bowel cancer cases in the UK. People with the condition are also more likely to be diagnosed with cancer before the age of 50. As well as bowel cancer, Lynch syndrome also significantly increases the risk of other cancers—including womb, ovarian and prostate cancer. One of those to benefit from the trial is Nick James, 46, who discovered he had the condition after undergoing genetic testing. 'Finding out I had a faulty gene that causes Lynch syndrome was extremely daunting,' he said. 'But taking part in this trial has given me hope that there's something that can reduce the chances of me and others developing cancer. Following the results, experts are now calling on the NHS to update its guidelines so more people at risk can benefit from the protective effects of aspirin. Professor Sir Burn said: 'We're now engaging with the regulators to change prescribing guidelines so that aspirin can be used more widely for people with a high risk of bowel cancer. 'We have a chance to give more people with Lynch syndrome protection which would reduce their fear of bowel cancer in the future.' Bowel cancer is on the rise in younger adults, even as rates fall among older generations. People born in 1990 are three times more likely to develop bowel cancer than those born in the 1950s, according to global research. In the UK, the disease kills nearly 17,000 people a year. While the vast majority of cases still occur in over-50s, around five per cent now affect adults aged 25 to 49—and that figure is steadily climbing. The main symptoms include changes in toilet habits, such as softer stools, diarrhoea or constipation. Going more or less often than usual, blood in the stool, or a feeling that you still need to go even after just going, can also be warning signs. Cancer Research UK estimates that more than half—54 per cent—of bowel cancer cases are preventable. Known risk factors include a diet low in fibre, eating too much red or processed meat, and obesity.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Millions of women who missed out on vital cancer screening to be sent groundbreaking at home testing kits - are you eligible?
Millions of women will be offered DIY cervical screening tests they can do at home in a bid to boost uptake and cut deaths from the disease. The initiative will see women who fail to attend an in-person check sent a self-sampling kit in the post which can be returned via pre-paid mail. Those who found to have the human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes most cases of cervical cancer, will be encouraged to see a clinician. The Department of Health and Social Care said the new approach could save up to 5,000 lives a year across England. It said that the new programme 'specifically targets those groups consistently missing vital appointments' including younger women, those from minority ethnic backgrounds, people with disabilities and LGBT-plus people. The UK National Screening Committee backed the move in March, with the rollout expected to begin next January. The NHS offers cervical screening tests—previously known as smear tests—to all women aged 25-64 every three years. But many people do not take up the offer, with a number citing a lack of time, discomfort or embarrassment. Data published by the NHS last November showed five million women are not up to date with routine check-ups. Now, officials have said that at-home kits will be offered to women who have rarely or have never attended their cervical screening. Research has suggested that offering DIY testing kits could boost uptake. The YouScreen trial, which was led by King's College London in partnership with NHS England, found that offering self-sampling kits to 'under-screened' women when they attend their GP practice and by posting kits to women's homes could boost uptake in England by about 400,000 each year. Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said: 'These self-sampling kits represent healthcare that works around people's lives, not the other way around. 'They put women firmly in control of their own health, ensuring we catch more cancers at their earliest, most treatable stages. 'Our 10-year health plan will fundamentally reform the NHS, shifting focus from treating illness to preventing it before it starts. 'We know the earlier cancer is diagnosed the better the chances are of survival. 'By making screening more convenient, we're tackling the barriers that keep millions of women from potentially life-saving tests.' The test checks cells for the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection that has no symptoms but is known to cause 99.7 per cent of all cervical cancers. If HPV is detected, women are invited for another check a year later, with further investigations ordered if the cells show abnormalities that could develop into cancer. Dr Anita Lim, chief investigator of the YouScreen trial from King's College London, added: 'This is a significant step forward for cervical cancer prevention and brings us closer to the NHS goal of eliminating the disease by 2040. 'The YouScreen trial, which provided self-sampling HPV kits to under-screen women in London, demonstrated that self-sampling could reach people who find it difficult to attend traditional screening—including those from diverse and underserved populations. 'It's hugely positive to see this now reflected in national policy, helping more people get protected from this highly preventable cancer.' Michelle Kane, NHS England's director of screening, added: 'There are a number of reasons that stop some women taking up the offer of screening and we hope the introduction of self-testing will encourage more women to take up this life-saving test in a way that works for them. 'I'd encourage anyone who gets an invite for a cervical screening, either from their local GP practice or the NHS App, to attend and if you have any worrying symptoms, please contact your GP. It could save your life.' The announcement comes just a fortnight after health minister Ashley Dalton told Parliament that millions of women will be invited to cervical cancer screening less frequently under NHS plans to slash unnecessary appointments. From next month, those aged 25 to 49 who test negative for HPV will only be recalled for screening every five years rather than every three. NHS England said the change will 'enable millions of women and people with a cervix in England to benefit from more personalised cervical screening'. Currently, women aged 25 to 49 in England are offered cervical screening every three years, extending to every five years for those aged 50 to 64. Beating cervical cancer must mean beating it for all says Cancer Research UK's CEO In the UK, hundreds of women die every year from cervical cancer and around 3,300 new cases are diagnosed. The mortality rate has dropped by around three quarters since the early 1970s, thanks to the success of vaccination programmes, screening, and the tireless work of NHS staff. But that progress, including NHS England's ambitious goal of eliminating the disease by 2040, could be at risk. Around 25 years ago, Cancer Research UK scientists helped uncover the link between human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer—which causes 99.7 per cent of cases. This discovery laid the foundation for modern screening and vaccination programmes, and today anyone aged 11 to 13 is eligible for vaccination in the UK. Worryingly, the number of people getting the HPV vaccine is heading in the wrong direction. Before the pandemic, around 89 per cent of year 9 girls were vaccinated, but by 2023-4, this fell to around 74 per cent. And in the same year, just 76.9 per cent of women were screened for cervical cancer by the age of 35. This falls well short of NHS England's targets of 90 per cent vaccination uptake and 80 per cent of screening uptake. This problem needs to be addressed. We know that some women receive their screening invitation and think, 'Do I really want to do this? Will it be awkward? When will I find the time?' Our own surveys show that barriers like embarrassment, worries about pain, and work commitments stop nearly 30 per cent of people from attending screening. That's why today's announcement from the Department of Health and Social Care to introduce self-sampling home kits is such an important step forward. It will help to break down some of the barriers people face and has the potential to improve participation rates in cervical screening by allowing people to take a sample in the privacy of their own home. We know this approach works. The YouScreen trial, led by Dr Anita Lim and supported by Cancer Research UK, provided HPV self-sampling test kits to over 8,000 women who were at least six months overdue for cervical screening. The results saw a 22 per cent increase in women being tested who had previously not attended screening. However, if NHS England is to reach its ambitious target-the UK government must commit to investing more in cancer research, as well as rolling out innovations, like self-sampling, to reach the people who need them most. More must be done to tackle the inequalities that still exist in our healthcare system, particularly improving access for those in deprived areas and ethnic minorities who face challenges in accessing appointments. For now, if you receive a screening invitation, or a self-sampling kit, please consider attending or using it, and encourage your loved ones to do the same. Beating cervical cancer means beating it for everyone, so I urge all parents and guardians to ensure young people don't miss out on getting the HPV vaccine. Behind the nine women diagnosed with cervical cancer in the UK every day is a person—a mother, a daughter, a friend. With bold action, we can ensure that we can bring about a world where everybody can live longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer.
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
At-home smear tests sent to women in NHS drive to slash cervical cancer cases
DIY cervical cancer tests will be sent to women's homes under NHS plans to boost uptake and help eradicate the disease. The kits will be posted to those who have ignored or missed their smear test invitation and are therefore 'underscreened'. They contain a swab to self-sample the cervix for human papillomavirus (HPV), a group of viruses that cause 99 per cent of cervical cancers. The NHS wants to eliminate the cancer entirely by 2040 using screening and vaccination. But only 69 per cent of women take part in screening, well below the 80 per cent target. This means that more than five million women in England are not up to date with their check-ups. The screening programme saves an estimated 5,000 lives per year in England but the number could be higher with better uptake. Health chiefs said women may avoid their smear test for fear it will hurt or be embarrassing, or because they struggle to find the time. The new test is a quick at-home sample that is then sent off to a lab in the post. Health bosses hope it will help overcome barriers that prevent some women from attending cervical cancer screening appointments. The initiative will be rolled out in January 2026. Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: "These self-sampling kits represent healthcare that works around people's lives, not the other way around. Cervical cancer could be eradicated as HPV vaccine slashes 90% of cases 'They put women firmly in control of their own health, ensuring we catch more cancers at their earliest, most treatable stages.' 'We know the earlier cancer is diagnosed the better the chances are of survival. "By making screening more convenient, we're tackling the barriers that keep millions of women from potentially life-saving tests.' Research has suggested that offering DIY testing kits could boost uptake. A trial - led by King's College London in partnership with NHS England - found that offering self-sampling kits to "under-screened" women when they attend their GP practice and by posting kits to women's homes could boost uptake in England by about 400,000 each year. The Department of Health and Social Care said that the new programme "specifically targets those groups consistently missing vital appointments" including younger women, those from minority ethnic backgrounds, people with disabilities and LGBTQ+ people. The initiative comes after the UK Health Security Agency revealed that young women in certain parts of England are at higher risk of cervical cancer due to "alarmingly" low uptake of HPV jabs. At-home cervical cancer screening is part of the government's upcoming 10 Year Health Plan, due to be published in the coming weeks, which will focus preventing illness instead of only treating it when symptoms appear. 2 Eve Appeal chief executive, Athena Lamnisos, said: 'There are so many different reasons why those who are eligible aren't responding to their cervical screening invitation letter. 'HPV self-testing will be a step change for some. Being able to do the test in their own time and following simple instructions is what many people want and need. "Ensuring that the under-screened and never screened know about this new test is vital for Eve." Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, added: "We welcome the UK government's decision to roll out cervical cancer home screening kits in England – to help remove barriers and make cervical screening more accessible. 'The gold standard way to test for HPV is still a sample taken by a clinician and this will be suitable for most people. "But beating cervical cancer means beating it for everyone, and this move helps to bring us closer to that goal. "It's important to remember that cervical screening is for people without symptoms so, if you notice any unusual changes for you, do not wait for a screening invitation - speak to your doctor." The NHS Cervical Screening Programme invites women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64 for regular screening. Under current guidelines, people aged 25 to 49 are called back for a check-up every three years if they test negative for HPV, whereas 50 to 64-year-olds are invited for checks every five years. But from July, people who test negative during an in-person test with their clinician will be invited back after five years, rather than three, following a recommendation by the UK National Screening Committee. Who's at risk of cervical cancer? Nearly all cervical cancers are caused by an infection with certain high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is the name for a very common group of viruses that most people will get some type of HPV during their lives. It's very common and nothing to feel ashamed or embarrassed about. You can get HPV from any kind of skin-to-skin contact of the genital area, not just from penetrative sex. This includes: Vaginal, oral or anal sex Any skin-to-skin contact of the genital area Sharing sex toys In most cases your body will get rid of HPV without it causing any problems. But sometimes HPV can stay in your body for a long time and some types of high risk types of HPV can cause cervical cancer. If high risk types of HPV stay in your body, they can cause changes to the cells in your cervix. These changes may become cervical cancer if not treated. How to lower your risk of cervical cancer You can't always prevent cervical cancer. But there are things you can do to lower your chances of getting cervical cancer. Cervical screening and HPV vaccination are the best ways to protect yourself from cervical cancer. All women and people with a cervix between the ages of 25 and 64 are invited for regular cervical screening. It helps find and treat any changes in the cells of the cervix before they can turn into cancer. All children aged 12 to 13 are offered the HPV vaccine. It helps protect against the types of HPV that cause most cases of cervical cancer, as well as some other cancers and genital warts. You can also lower your chance of getting cervical cancer by: Using condoms, which lower your chance of getting HPV – but they do not cover all the skin around your genitals so you're not fully protected Quitting smoking – smoking can weaken your immune system and the chemicals in cigarettes can also cause cervical cancer Source: NHS The change comes after evidence showed that people who test negative for HPV are extremely unlikely to develop cervical cancer within the next decade. Anyone whose sample shows traces of HPV will continue to be invited to more frequent screenings. Digital invitations and reminders for cervical screening were also recently rolled out as part of the NHS App's 'ping and book' service to boost uptake. Cervical cancer symptoms, such as bleeding between periods and during sex, should be investigated by a GP. Around 13 high-risk types of HPV are known to cause 99.7 per cent of cervical cancers. They cause cell changes which can eventually turn cancerous. Dangerous strains of the common virus can also lead to mouth, anal, penile, vulval and vaginal cancer.
