Raised in Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies, Dr. Valerie Beckles, a pediatrician and medical director for Aetna's Southeast Region, graduated from medical school in Jamaica then trained in London and Nassau, Bahamas, before practicing in Texas and transitioning into administration in recent years. Her broad background has allowed her to bring perspective to patient care and the diversity issues that arise in healthcare today.
In this second part of a two-part podcast episode, Managed Healthcare Executive's Managing Editor Peter Wehrwein spoke with CeCi Connolly and Margaret "Meg" Murray about Medicare Advantage utilization and challenges, highlighting proposed CMS payment cuts and prior authorization issues.
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New approvals this week include a $4.25 million gene therapy, a drug that treats hypertension in a new way, a nonsteroidal drug for Duchenne, and an oral drug for aggressive leukemia. The agency has set an action date for resubmitted Lymphir in rare skin cancer, and Celltrion has launched Zymfentra, a subcutaneous form of infliximab.
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In this first part of a two-part podcast episode, Managed Healthcare Executive's Managing Editor Peter Wehrwein kicks off our new podcast series "DC Roundtable," with guests Margaret "Meg" Murray, CEO of the Association of Community Affiliated Plans, and member of MHE's Editorial Advisory Board, and CeCi Connolly, president and CEO of the Alliance of Community Health Plans, for a discussion on healthcare policy issues.
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