Issue 50, January 11, 2024
America faces daunting and complex healthcare challenges that include and go beyond the current pandemic. In myriad ways, innovative healthcare companies are developing solutions to improve access to care, battle disease, strengthen population health, and meet the needs of underserved communities. This newsletter will offer examples of Healthcare Leadership Council members answering the call. |
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Recap of HLC's 2023 Webinars
The Healthcare Leadership Council hosted 10 webinars in 2023 on various healthcare topics prioritized by its members. Panelists representing the breadth of the healthcare industry showcased private sector innovation, common hurdles, and analyzed legislation and regulations in play which would affect the delivery of care. Additionally, HLC hosted an in-person Hill briefing on artificial intelligence, and is planning on more in-person events for 2024. |
| City of Hope Research Could Lead to New Type of Cancer Immunotherapy
Researchers at City of Hope, a Healthcare Leadership Council member, have discovered that a type of immune cell in the human body known to be important for allergy and other immune responses can also attack cancer. These cells, called human type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) can be expanded outside of the body and applied in larger numbers to overpower a tumor's defenses and eliminate malignant cells in mouse models with cancer. This finding could lead to a new type of immunotherapy.
Importantly, the research found that the ILC2s do not need to come from the cancer patient's own cells, meaning that there may be the possibility of harvesting and freezing ILC2s from healthy donors for treatment options in the future.
Jianhua Yu, a professor in the Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation at City of Hope and the study's senior author said, "The City of Hope team has identified human ILC2 cells as a new member of the cell family capable of directly killing all types of cancer, including blood cancers and solid tumors. In the future, these cells could be manufactured, preserved by freezing, and then administered to patients. Unlike T cell-based therapies like CAR T cells, which necessitate using he patient's own cells due to their specific characteristics, ILC2s might be sourced from healthy donors, presenting a distinct potential therapeutic approach as an allogeneic and 'off-the-shelf' product."
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Elevance Health Taking Action to Close Digital Divide in Healthcare
Elevance Health has announced that it will launch a first-of-its-kind program offering high-quality smartphones with unlimited data, talk and texting service at no cost to eligible individuals enrolled in some of its affiliated Medicaid health plans, giving these individuals access to digital and virtual healthcare tools they might otherwise not have had. The announcement by Elevance, a Healthcare Leadership Council member, was made this week at the Consumer Electronics Show.
The program is designed to help close the gap between individuals who have access to digital tools and those who do not. The provided smartphones will serve as a connection point for individuals to reach their Medicaid health plan care team, who can help address their whole health needs. The initiative will launch in multiple states in 2024 with the ambitious goal of reaching hundreds of thousands of members within Elevance Health's affiliated Medicaid plans.
Kurt Small, president of Elevance Health's Medicaid business, said, "The lack of sufficient internet connectivity and technology access remains a significant barrier for many - increasing health inequities. This program aims to directly address this challenge and helps improve the health of the people we serve." Elevance Health Vice President, Innovation Omid Toloui added, "We believe the digital tools and the custom, curated experience offered through this program can help improve health, make healthcare more affordable, and serve people more equitably."
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