Top of the Funnel | Macro Data + Policy Position Monitor
Mortality. Not a cheery subject but getting press these days in some pretty absurd ways as efforts are made to explain away persistent death trends. The original thesis was that people were not getting vaccinated. Probably true in part. Mortality data does not include vaccination status.
There are other indications that COVID alone is not responsible for excess deaths. Alcohol use, cancer and other unattended to conditions appear to be factors. Regardless of the cause, excess mortality has implications to the health care system, especially the Medicare-focused populations.
We are going to dive into the massive CDC mortality data on Wednesday. Please join us.
Congress.
As more COVID-19 aid continues to falter in Congress, a new OMICON variant has helpfully appeared as the latest threat. Piling on this week has been home care workers, hoping to revive their quest for $150-400B in funding that was intended for the Build Back Better Act. Related, nursing homes are pushing to extend the Public Health Emergency to retain all the flexibilities it affords. Hospitals are seeking to secure funds for surge capacity.
Otherwise, all eyes on SCOTUS nomination hearings this week.
The White House.
End of Uninsured Support. Health and Human Services announced they would stop accepting claims from providers for coverage of COVID-19 related services to the uninsured. The vast majority of this money has been spent on COVID-19 testing ($11B). Another $5.8B has been spent on treatment and $1.6B on vaccines.
The major recipients for testing of the uninsured have been Curative Labs, FLGT, LH and DGX. For vaccines it has been the pharmacy chains, WBA, CVS. Finally, the recipients for treatment have been mostly safety net hospitals including Harris Health in Houston and the Dallas County Hospital System that operates Parkland Hospital. Oddly, Curative Labs and something called Elite Care Medical Group also received a lot of money for treatment.
Other Stuff
Another day, another EUA. MRNA joined PFE in requesting an EUA for a fourth course of the COVID-19 vaccines. Never mind that several European countries are limiting access to young people. The FDA has announced a meeting on April 6 to discuss vaccines. There will be no specific proposals but I suspect the FDA is trying to get things under control, especially in the wake of blistering criticism over boosters for the young.
Events
Upcoming. Shuffling Off the Mortal Coil: Death in the Age of Pandemic. Wednesday March 30 @ 10am ET.
Recent. End of the COVID-19 Gravy Train? Relief Funds, End of PFE + Timing.
Calendar. The Hedgeye Health Policy is back. You can find 2021 here with searchable ticker list. You can find 2022 here.
IPOs + SPACs.
All quiet. SPAC Spreadsheet is here.
Have a great weekend.
Emily Evans
Managing Director – Health Policy
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