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Save billions or stick with Humira? Drug brokers steer Americans to the costly choice

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:50 GMT

Arthur Allen | (TNS) KFF Health NewsTennessee last year spent $48 million on a single drug, Humira — about $62,000 for each of the 775 patients who were covered by its employee health insurance program and receiving the treatment. So when nine Humira knockoffs, known as biosimilars, hit the market for as little as $995 a month, the opportunity for savings appeared ample and immediate.But it isn’t here yet. Makers of biosimilars must still work within a health care system in which basic economics rarely seems to hold sway.For real competition to take hold, the big pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs, the companies that negotiate prices and set the prescription drug menu for 80% of insured patients in the United States, would have to position the new drugs favorably in health plans.They haven’t, though the logic for doing so seems plain.Humira has enjoyed high-priced U.S. exclusivity for 20 years. Its challengers could save the health care system $9 billion and herald savings from the ...

The best places in the Caribbean for nature lovers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:50 GMT

By Patrick Clarke, TravelPulseIt’s no secret that the Caribbean is one of the world’s premier regions for breathtaking nature.However, some places stand out as can’t-miss destinations for travelers seeking to make a closer connection with Mother Nature.Here are five attractions that offer visitors a unique experience in the natural environment.Waitukubuli National Trail, DominicaThe longest hiking trail in the Caribbean at a lengthy 115 miles, Dominica’s Waitukubuli National Trail showcases all there is to love about the Nature Isle as visitors pass by rivers, waterfalls, dramatic cliffs, rainforests and so much more.The trail, which takes nearly two weeks to traverse, also introduces hikers to the island’s culture and traditions as they pass through small villages along the way.Trunk Bay Underwater Snorkel Trail, US Virgin IslandsAmericans can escape to the U.S. Virgin Islands without a passport and one of the territory’s gems is the Trunk Bay Un...

Health workers warn loosening mask advice in hospitals would harm patients and providers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:50 GMT

Amy Maxmen | (TNS) KFF Health NewsNurses, researchers, and workplace safety officers worry new guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention might reduce protection against the coronavirus and other airborne pathogens in hospitals.A CDC advisory committee has been updating its 2007 standards for infection control in hospitals this year. Many health care professionals and scientists expressed outrage after the group released a draft of its proposals in June.The draft controversially concluded that N95 face masks are equivalent to looser, surgical face masks in certain settings — and that doctors and nurses need to wear only surgical masks when treating patients infected by “common, endemic” viruses, like those that cause the seasonal flu.The committee was slated to vote on the changes on Aug. 22, but it postponed action until November. Once the advice is final, the CDC begins a process of turning the committee’s assessment into guidelines that hospitals throughout th...

Wrigley Field concessions workers OK strike ahead of Cubs’ final home weekend

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:50 GMT

About 700 concessions workers at Wrigley Field could walk off the job at any time after an “overwhelming majority” voted to authorize a strike, said their union, Unite Here Local 1.The concessions workers include bartenders, cashiers, cooks, dishwashers and other food service workers at the North Side ballpark who are employed by Chicago-based food service provider Levy. The workers are employed in stationary concessions stands and suites in the ballpark; vendors who work in the stands are not unionized with Unite Here.The strike vote comes ahead of the final home weekend of the Cubs’ regular season. The team is scheduled to play a three-game series against the Colorado Rockies this weekend, with games scheduled Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The concessions employees’ contract expired in October 2020, said Unite Here, which announced the results of the strike vote late Thursday.Some concessions workers make the city minimum wage of $15.80 an hour, the local sa...

Auto workers are expanding their strike to 38 locations in 20 states, targeting Stellantis and GM

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:50 GMT

By DAVID KOENIG (AP Business Writer)The United Auto Workers union expanded its strike against major carmakers Friday, walking out of 38 General Motors and Stellantis parts-distribution centers in 20 states.Ford was spared additional strikes because the company has met some of the union’s demands during negotiations over the past week, UAW President Shawn Fain said during an online presentation to union members.“We’ve made some real progress at Ford,” Fain said. “We still have serious issues to work through, but we do want to recognize that Ford is showing that they are serious about reaching a deal. At GM and Stellantis, it’s a different story.” GM and Stellantis, he said, have rejected the union’s proposals for cost-of-living increases, profit sharing and job security, and “are going to need some serious pushing.”Instead of targeting more production plants Friday, the UAW went after centers that distribute parts to car dea...

Teacher, hockey coach sentenced to 16 years in 'Mr. Pickles' child sex abuse case

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:50 GMT

CARLSBAD, Calif. -- A former Carlsbad teacher and youth hockey coach was sentenced to nearly 16 years in prison in a federal court on Tuesday for his role in a scheme to bait children into sending sexually explicit images and circulate them online.Daniel Zachary Dasko, 32, pleaded guilty to one count relating to the distribution of images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct in April. He is currently out on bond and was ordered to report to prison on Oct. 3., the U.S. Attorney's Office said.Along with at least two other individuals across the country, Dasko targeted minors on social media while posing as adolescent girls to prompt them to send sexually explicit material of themselves. Several of the minors, prosecutors say, were selected because the former substitute and teacher's aide provided their names and online information to his coconspirators.“This defendant is a sexual predator who used his position as a teacher and coach to inform his sexual interests and to targ...

CP NewsAlert: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addresses Canada’s Parliament

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:50 GMT

OTTAWA — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has begun an address in the House of Commons, where he received a standing ovation from dignitaries and parliamentarians.More coming.The Canadian Press

‘Freedom Convoy’ organizers’ trial on scheduled break until after Thanksgiving

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:50 GMT

OTTAWA — The trial of “Freedom Convoy” organizers Tamara Lich and Chris Baber is on a scheduled break until after Thanksgiving.The court has finished hearing the testimony of Serge Arpin, the chief of staff to Ottawa’s former mayor, who spoke about how the city responded to the protest that overwhelmed the downtown core for three weeks in early 2022.Arpin also testified about his interactions with convoy organizers while working out a deal with then-mayor Jim Watson to move big-rig trucks out of residential neighbourhoods.The evidence was originally due to be wrapping up by this point in the trial, which had been scheduled to last 16 days, but Arpin is just the fourth witness to finish his testimony.The trial is expected to hear from 22 witnesses, leaving the court to ponder how much more time will be needed to reach the finish line.The trial is expected to resume Oct. 11.This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 22, 2023.The Canadian Press

Ramp up in U.S. auto strike expected to affect Canadian parts producers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:50 GMT

TORONTO — Autoworkers in the U.S. ramped up their strike Friday in a move that’s expected to have knock-on effects for Canadian parts producers.The expanded strike saw United Auto Worker members walk out at 38 General Motors and Stellantis parts-distribution centres in 20 states, adding 5,600 workers to the 13,000 who began strikes last week at three Ford, GM and Stellantis assembly plants.Sam Fiorani, vice-president of global vehicle forecasting at AutoForecast Solutions, says he expects Canadian parts suppliers to be either directly or indirectly affected by any shutdowns, whether they’re assembly plants or parts distribution centres.Canadian companies operating in the U.S. have already been affected by the strike, with Magna International Inc. confirming they’ve temporarily laid off about 650 employees at a seat producer that suppliers one of the affected plants.The expanded strike in the U.S. spared Ford from further action as UAW president Shawn Fain says the ...

Ice pops cool down monkeys in Brazil at a Rio zoo during a rare winter heat wave

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:50 GMT

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Upon spotting a zookeeper laden with a bucket full of fruit-flavored ice pops, black spider monkeys in Rio de Janeiro’s BioParque gracefully swung their way towards him on Friday, chattering excitedly.While it’s technically still winter in Brazil, with spring due to start on Saturday, a heat wave has engulfed the country since the beginning of the week, causing humans and animals alike to eagerly greet any chance of cooling down.“Normally they get a break from the heat in the winter, but it’s been so hot. They have even shed their winter layer of fur,” said zookeeper Tadeu Cabral, who handed out some treats, while others were scattered around. The ice pops are part of the monkeys’ well-being program. They provide thermal comfort, and dispersing the popsicles in different locations also stimulates their behavioral need for foraging. For the monkeys, the ice pops are watermelon, pineapple or grape flavored. But for Simba, the zoo’s lion, the ice treat is ma...