| | | | |  | | By Shawn Zeller, Daniel Payne, Ruth Reader and Erin Schumaker | | Presented by |  | | | | | | | 
An AI tool found many more cases of long Covid than doctors have. | | The number of people with long Covid could be three times as high as previous studies have found, according to new research out of the Boston health system Mass General Brigham. The researchers estimate nearly 23 percent of people have endured long-term symptoms, lasting at least two months, from a Covid-19 infection. That compares to a previous patient survey that found about 7 percent who say they have had the condition. How’s that? The researchers developed an artificial intelligence tool to scour electronic medical records, finding long-term conditions like fatigue, cough or brain fog they could associate with a Covid infection. The journal Med published their study. The researchers hypothesize that the AI picks up cases among people with limited access to health care who are otherwise overlooked. “This broader scope ensures that marginalized communities, often sidelined in clinical studies, are no longer invisible,” Hossein Estiri, head of AI research at the Center for AI and Biomedical Informatics of Mass General Brigham’s Learning Healthcare System, said in a statement. The researchers said they developed their algorithm from de-identified medical records of nearly 300,000 patients across 14 hospitals and 20 community health centers in the Mass General Brigham system. What’s next? Estiri and his colleagues hope the tool will enable more doctors to diagnose the condition and help advance the study of treatments.
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Washington, D.C. | Shawn Zeller | | This is where we explore the ideas and innovators shaping health care. Women were drinking heavily more often than men both before and after the pandemic, when rates among both rose, a new study found. Share any thoughts, news, tips and feedback with Carmen Paun at cpaun@politico.com, Daniel Payne at dpayne@politico.com, Ruth Reader at rreader@politico.com , or Erin Schumaker at eschumaker@politico.com. Send tips securely through SecureDrop, Signal, Telegram or WhatsApp.
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It's unlikely the Trump administration will go ahead with the mandatory water breaks. | George Walker IV/AP | The GOP’s electoral wins last week likely derail the Biden administration’s opportunity to finalize health care regulations unpopular with Republicans. One rule that has little chance of advancing is a July proposal from the Occupational Health and Safety Administration that would require employers to provide more rest and water breaks for workers toiling outside in extreme heat, our Ariel Wittenberg reports. Though President Joe Biden still has more than two months left in his term, a 1995 law permits Congress to override rules finalized in the waning days of an administration. The law, the Congressional Review Act, provides an expedited process and only requires majority votes in the House and Senate — a filibuster isn’t allowed. The new president must sign the override resolution, which President-elect Donald Trump would likely do since Republicans panned the proposal when OSHA offered it. “You can’t be pouring concrete, and the temperature hits a spot, and it’s like, ‘OK, time out, concrete — wait, we’re going to take a water break.’ It’s ridiculous,” said Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.), chair of the House Natural Resources Committee. Why it matters: Heat killed at least 815 U.S. workers between 1992 and 2017 and seriously injured some 70,000 more, according to federal data. And health advocates say the toll will likely increase as temperatures rise with global warming. But the rule would also be costly for employers since it would require them to provide employees with water and a cool place to rest once combined heat and humidity levels reach 80 degrees. If the levels reach 90 degrees, employees would be afforded 15-minute, paid rest breaks after two hours of work.
| | | | The lame duck session could reshape major policies before year's end. Get Inside Congress delivered daily to follow the final sprint of dealmaking on defense funding, AI regulation and disaster aid. Subscribe now. | | | | | | | | |  Insurers see an opening to force hospitals to lower their prices. | AP Photo/Mel Evans | Health industry groups are readying their pitches to the new Congress — with an emphasis on savings. Health care groups are considering how to make their pitches attractive to a budget-minded GOP now that Republicans control the Senate and the White House and potentially the House. Legislative and regulatory changes that would save money are becoming central to pitches across the board, industry leaders, policy wonks and lobbyists tell Daniel. “If we can make the case that there’s a pro-business initiative and a pro-patient initiative that also saves the government money … that could be a recipe for getting things done,” said John Murphy, president and CEO of the Association for Accessible Medicines, a group that represents the generic drug and biosimilar industry. Murphy said his association will look to push legislation that would make it harder for brand-name drugmakers to secure or extend patents. The sales pitch: Doing so would spur generic options and lower drug prices. Insurers are pushing site-neutral payment proposals, which could save money by allowing them to pay the same lower price for patient services regardless of where they’re provided. Typically, hospitals charge more than outpatient centers and doctors’ offices. A change would also save Medicare money. The insurance industry expects that idea would find new favor in the incoming Congress, building on existing bipartisan support. Why it matters: If Republicans win the trifecta by securing House control to go with their White House and Senate victories, they’ll find it easier to advance legislation — particularly if it affects the federal budget. Special rules for such bills require only a majority vote in both the House and Senate by barring use of the Senate filibuster.
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