A federal judge will soon decide whether a class action lawsuit against UnitedHealth Group and its subsidiary over algorithm-based care denials can move forward. The suit, filed in 2023, alleges that the company’s technology was used to deny care to patients.
The lawsuit could have significant implications for the healthcare industry, particularly for elderly and ill patients who may be disproportionately affected by these decisions. The outcome of the case is uncertain, with some experts citing a lack of legal precedent governing AI and Medicare.
Meanwhile, signs of life are returning at the CDC, with the publication of a Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report after a nearly month-long communications freeze. The report includes briefs on the Ebola outbreak in Uganda and vaccination efforts using an experimental vaccine.
Additionally, new data from Spain shows that an antibody injection called Beyfortus was highly protective against RSV in infants during their first year of rollout. The effectiveness of this treatment could have significant implications for global health campaigns.
In New York City, an ambitious plan to improve residents’ lifespans is underway, with a focus on providing basic income and “prescribing parks” for neighborhoods. Acting Health Commissioner Michelle Morse discussed her roadmap for achieving this goal during a recent Q&A session.
Furthermore, the Food and Drug Administration’s Diversity Action Plan guidelines have gone offline due to a Trump Executive Order banning diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. However, experts predict that the plan will come back to life out of necessity.
Finally, a funding stream has dried up for a program aimed at retaining undergraduate STEM students due to concerns about diversity in science and health inequities. This decision comes as researchers face increasingly limited options for support on work related to these issues.
Source: https://www.statnews.com/2025/02/07/health-news-cdc-rsv-united-health-class-action-lawsuit-spain-dei-morning-rounds