Medical Monday: Breaking News from the World of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Policy News

Under the ACA, the Affordable Care Act, all health insurance providers were required to cover the full range or reproductive health services including birth control and abortion. However, a suit filed by two Christian has succeeded in blocking the part of the mandate that pertains to coverage of the abortion pill. DHHS (Department of Health and Human Services ) will no longer be able to enforce this portion of the mandate against them. 

The US provides health care aid to many countries. In those health care systems, birth control and abortion services are provided. However the US Gag rule has prevented funds from continuing to go to countries which provide abortion services. . The Trump administration has created auspices under which exceptions to the gag rule may be obtained. This is because there are some such countries whose national law requires health care providers to include information about such services. Such countries may continue to receive US aid under what is being called the “ affirmative duty defense”. Theater loophole, the “passive duty” exception, the US may continue to supply funding if abortion is legal in that country. 

Texas continues to rally. Texas comes in at 47th in vaccination rates. A new group called the Texas HPV coalition aims to increase this rate to 80% before 2026, stemming a tide of HPV related diseases including cancer. 

As previously reported, Texas had shot itself in the foot by defunding and otherwise weakening primary health care for the poor, and reproductive health care in general. It has also been early in the race to defund Planned Parenthood and teen pregnancy prevention programs. Now its teen pregnancy rates, and more worryingly, the material morbidity and mortality rates are skyrocketing. Texans are now are trying to circle the wagons. In particular, the Dallas City Council has by itself resolved to spend $300,000 on a program to curb teen pregnancy rates. 

Nationally the same logic is at work. This coming week the Senate will vote on a bill which will create “Maternal Mortality Review Committees”  that track and investigate maternal mortality. 

Physician leadership is again voicing its defense of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). A recent article in Forbes has highlighted the uniform positions of the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the American Psychiatric Association. How can this not give the administration pause ? 

An Oregon county has sued the Trump administration for their new guideline which give preferential funding to health care programs that promote abstinence. If they prevail, it could block these guidelines nationwide. 

Because contraception has now somewhat unexpectedly become such a controversial topic, the medical community is lobbying harder and harder for drug companies and the FDA (Food and Drug Administration to make birth control an over the counter medication. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists have long advocated for this regard the oral contraceptive pill. Now the American Medical Association  was set to consider a resolution to this effect. 

Medical News 

Vitamin D is increasingly in the spotlight. This time,  new study has shown that adequate levels of vitamin D protect against miscarriage. Women at high latitudes in areas with little sunlight and little seafood are more prone to vitamin D deficiency. 

A new study out of Duke indicates that young women’s exercise rates drop off after high school. Additionally they drop off more quickly than do mens. More research is needed to understand and correct this phenomenon. 

Remember the Zika virus epidemic ? A new study shows that over half of Floridians took no precautions whatsoever against the virus. The report has shown that much more education is needed. 

Here is a sad commentary on out profession and on our relatively affluent population: Less than10 percent of our population get the recommended screening and counseling pertaining to preventive health care. This pertained to basics like measurements of vital signs and blood tests, but also to imaging studies like mammograms and colonoscopies for colon cancer screenings. Preventive health screening should also include counseling on weight, tobacco and alcohol use, screening for depression and currency on vaccinations. 

 Alcohol is harder on women than it is on men. This may be related mainly to weight. A new study indicates that young women who drink regularly and heavily ( 4-5 alcoholic drinks) are probably destined for low bone density such as osteoporosis. Women have little androgen (male hormone) compared to men, and androgen protect bone. Estrogen does too, but its production ceases after menopause, when osteoporosis is at its highest risk. Young women need to realize they are likely olive considerably longer than their mother and grandmothers. To do so in comfort and wellness, they need to take really good care of themselves. 

Stay tuned for more news from the fascinating world of Obstetrics and Gynecology, here, next week on Medical Monday. 

Medical Monday : Two Week Catch Up

Happy Easter and Happy Passover. We have two weeks to cover. Thanks for reading ! 

Policy News

Much of the National Health Policy News this week deals with contraception and reproductive health. Can anyone remember any time in this or any other country when these private matters were ever so much on the national stage ? The politically conservative aspects of my nature questions why this degree of government intervention in private lives is necessary. My medical qualifications and medico-legal experience cause me to classify some of this meddling as practicing medicine without a license. 

Title X is a federal grant program whose purpose it is to promote positive birth outcomes and healthy families. It provides grants for family planning and health services. So here’s my first question: Why is it not run by health care professionals ? Trump administration officials are now contemplating new wording which would add additional criteria for clinics to receive Title X funding, namely the provision of primary preventive services. Sounds good right ? Well many clinics offer only reproductive health services. These clinics would have to expand or close. This measure seems like just another way of closing family planning clinics.  Now whether pap smears would qualify as preventive health is unclear, or whether paps would be classified as reproductive health, I don’t know. 

Texas is challenging the federal government’s withholding of funds for its family planning programs. They were withheld several years ago based on the fact that these providers, many of them through Planned Parenthood, also provided abortions.

Planned Parenthood itself is challenging the Federal Government on its withdraws of funds from the teen pregnancy program. Between this and two other plaintiffs, the Department of Health and Human Services has partially and temporarily restored some of the funding until litigation can be completed. 

Idaho has failed to solve the problem of insurance for those whose income falls between Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act coverage criteria. A proposal called Plan First Idaho would have funded family planing services for women in the gap. My question is, what rocket scientist designed the State’s the two programs such that their income qualifying criteria do not meet seamlessly ? This is a problem of their own making and it needs solving. Republicans in the Idaho House stalled this measure. 

Idaho Governor “ Butch” Otter has approved a measure by which prospective abortion patients must a told about “ abortion reversal” a procedure that does not exist. Additionally, he has signed legislation which will require abortion providers to collect personal and demographic information which, in de-identified form they intend to make public. I don't know what they think this will accomplish, but I have a feeling it may backfire, since they will be able to see how many and how diverse a group of women utilize the procedure.

The Supreme Court is hearing a case between the State of California and a group of "crisis pregnancy centers”, an actual chain of 130 outlets run by “ The National Institute of Family and Life Advocates”. These centers are anti-abortion counseling facilities, however they are licensed as family planning providers. California has a law requiring that all licensed family planning facilities to post notices of the availability of free or low cost birth control and abortion services and they are challenging it. They are arguing that this posting requirement violates their free speech.  So far the Court has expressed concern that these clinics not be singled out from other clinics. California has argued that their staff, many of whom are not medically qualified, present medical misinformation as truth, all to the end of dissuading patients from abortion. Apparently theses non-credentialed counselors actually wear white coats. 

Along with the opioid epidemic has come a hepatitis C epidemic. Kentucky, having seen a surge of the disease, has passed a law now requiring all pregnant women to be tested for it. Hepatitis C used to be very hard to treat. However, patients have much more hope nowadays due to the availability of effective therapy. 

Missouri has expanded Medicaid for pregnant women in drug abuse treatment. Their continued coverage will be contingent upon them staying in treatment, and could under those conditions, be continued up to 12 months.  

And now for more of a purple to blue state review:

Florida is considering a bill requiring HPV (human papilloma virus) vaccination to be required as part of the vaccinations required of children attending public school. Human papilloma virus causes multiple illnesses most notably cervical cancer and genital warts, and the vaccine has not demonstrated any conclusive evidence of harm.

It is interesting to note that physicians are not prescribing HPV vaccine equally for female and male children. Doctors recommend the vaccine twice as often for girls as they do for boys. This puts the boys at increased risk for HPV disease, and puts all their future partners at increased risk too. 

Mississippi passed a law banning abortion after 15 weeks Of course this is unconstitutional based on Roe V. Wade which is still on the books. A Federal Judge over turned Idaho's ban. 

New Hampshire has passed a bill which will allow pharmacist to prescribe birth control. No doctors visit will be necessary. The medical establishment has concluded that vast majority of the birth control methods are safe for the vast majority of women. They certainly are when compared to pregnancy for those same women. Authorities believe this will eliminate yet one more barrier to contraception. Utah signed a similar law into place earlier in the week. 

On the other coastline, the state of Washington now has a bill that will require insurance to cover contraception, abortion and maternity care. Additionally, after the first of the year, all contraception has to be co-pay and deductible free. This includes voluntary sterilization. 

The new budget has failed to shore up the ACA ( Affordable care Act) marketplaces. States will have to tighten their belts and work on their budgets one by one. 

ProPublica has reported that the “US is the most dangerous country in which to give birth”. States all over the US are creating programs to quantify and address the problem of maternal morbidity and mortality, even as the Federal government under Trump is dismantling reproductive and maternal health care piece by piece. 

Do you ever get the feeling that the various States in America are becoming like the countries of the European Union with different values, cultures budgets and laws ? 

Medical News: 

Obstetrics: 

Striking research findings presented at Lancet Global Health conference have shown that the death risk is double among pregnant women who are anemic compared with those who are not. The lead study author also found the correcting anemia is not a sufficiently high enough priority among physicians. 

Research presented at Diabetes UK conference has shown that excess weight gain incurred during pregnancy by  gestational diabetics is associated with greater risk of cesarean section.

Women who exercise in pregnancy have shorter labors. This interesting news was published in the May issue of European Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Biology. The study group attended a professionally led session of moderate exercise three days per week. Labor was shortened about one hour, mostly in the first stage, or dilating phase. ACTIONABLE ! 

Children who were breastfed exclusively for at least 6 mores were less likely to become overweight to obese than their counterparts. The conclusions were drawn by analyzing over 38,000 records from children South Korea. The finding were presented at the Endocrine Society Annual Meeting. 

Gynecology/General Medical News: 

There may be a male birth control pill on the horizon. Research at the Endocrine Society's annual conference has presented information on a new male birth control pill called DMAU. It contains androgen and progestin,  which is analogous to the contents of the female birth control pill, estrogen and progestin. Once daily tablets appear to be safe and effective. No period required. 

Menopause and aging in general is characterized by a loss of muscle mass and bone density as well as the deposition of fat. As suspected, the Mediterranean diet may have a positive impact on bone mineral density and muscle mass in postmenopausal women. The Mediterranean diet emphasizes the eating of high quality protein, large volumes of fruit and vegetables, healthy fats such as olive oil and a modest amount of complex carbohydrates such as whole grains. As a whole, the diet is lower in simple carbohydrates than the typical American diet and is also higher in protein and antioxidants.

There are now over 400 cases of a rare lymphoma which are linked, epidemiologically, to breast implants. Breast implants are not new. Lymphoma is not new. However our ability to collect and parse data is better than it has ever been. The FDA it's taken this ability and created a meaningful database for this type of information. While an association between breast implants and this rare lymphoma is being established through data collection, a causality between the two is not necessary implied. That said, nothing is more likely to lead us to understand the causes of this problem than amassing quality data about it. 

Federal funding support for cancers is disproportionately low for gynecologic cancers if you rank them by lethality. Cancer of the ovary and the uterus ranked near the bottom of the funding list. Contact your elected officials ! 

A new modification of the current device used for pap smears can identify cells from endometrial (uterine lining) and ovarian cancer. The investigational PapSEEK uses an analysis of 18 genes and analysis similar to that used in prenatal screening for Down’s syndrome to identical the genetically abnormal cancer cells. THIS IS SO COOL ! 

A new study on postmenopausal hormone therapy has shown that it does help maintain thinking and memory skills. This is the case IF it is initiated shortly after the onset of natural menopause. This study was presented in the Journal Neurology and was a high quality randomized controlled trial of 75 women between the ages of  42 and 56. 

In my mountain state, there is not a great deal of sunlight or seafood. As a result we have a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency. New research indicates that vitamin D deficiency increases a post menopausal women’s risk of metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome includes the unholy triad of diabetes, high blood pressure, and abnormal serum lipids ( cholesterol and triglycerides) which together increase cardiovascular risk. Vitamin D levels are checked by a simple blood test. Ask your doctor about this ! 

Stay tuned for more news from the exciting world of Obstetrics an Gynecology, next week, here on Medical Monday ! 

Medical Monday: Breaking News from the World of Obstetrics and Gynecology

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the HHS ORR ( Department of Health and Human Services Office of Refugee Resettlement) are battling out a constitutional question. The are debating whether or not unaccompanied undocumented immigrant minors in shelters have any rights to abortion under the Constitution. I am no constitutional scholar, and I am ignorant as to the extent that our Constitution applies to undocumented immigrants. Whether or not they are in shelters, or unaccompanied, seems immaterial. Their age could be germane, but again, perhaps could be handled under the terms of our own age laws. Any insights would be appreciated. For any women or girl, undocumented or otherwise, to give birth or to have an abortion is  a momentous and expensive event. Either one is also a medical event and that is the most important point. We already have medical policies in this country about such things, and I cannot understand why immigration status would alter the medical algorithm such an undocumented minor would follow. We need to remember that these questions are primarily medical, not political. 

New Hampshire has proposed a bill further reducing barriers to contraception. Currently, contraceptives may only be prescribed three months at a time. However, the state is considering a bill to increase this to a whole year. This seems logical to me as a Gynecologist since, at least with a patient who is established on the pill, I only need to see her once per year. If I am observing her on a new pill, or working to decrease side effects, special arrangements can made to see her sooner. The New Hampshire bill also specifies that insurers must continue to cover it entirely without copays. 

The very red State of Idaho is espousing contraception. Idaho House legislators are advocating a bill which would obtain a “waiver” ie. federal permission, to expand family planning services to women aged 19-44 who do not qualify for Medicaid, Medicare or other programs. 

Unlikely bedfellows in Connecticut are trying to secure prenatal care for the newly pregnant. Republican legislators are working with Planned Parenthood to offer health insurance to pregnancy women if they sign up within 30 days of finding out they are pregnant. 

The red state of Nebraska, on the other hand, is draining funds from Planned Parenthood in a move that will decrease family planning services in an already medically impoverished state. The may com through restriction of Title X grants. 

Dr. Haywood Brown the President of American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, has flatly called out the Trump administration and their “ continued move away from scientific evidence based policies and toward unscientific ideologies”. The particular context this time was the announcement of preferential Title X grant giving to organizations that teach “natural family planning” and abstinence for birth control. Where is the pussy grabbing now ?  This administration has such an on again off again relationship with sex I just cannot keep track. 

In medical news, culture seems to be playing a big role in smoking. Witness the great discrepancy in smoking rates among pregnant women by state. Worst is West Virginia, at 25%, whereas in California it is a little over 1%. The average across the US is about 7%. But, I am a splitter, not a lumper, and it seems our efforts to curtail smoking in pregnancy should vary state by state, perhaps even county by county, to be the most effective. 

You may have heard about all the problems and lawsuits having to do with vaginal mesh used in prolapse surgery. You may also have heard of more of a tape or ribbon procedure to fix stress urinary incontinence (SUI). They are different. Vaginal mesh is a large sheet of mesh, whereas the tape/ribbon is narrow like the name suggests. They are not in the same category for complications. A new study has shown what we all have expected and hoped, that the tension free vaginal tape is safe and effective for women with SUI. 

Probiotics are all the rage, and I mean in the hallowed halls of medicine, not the local vitamin store. A new study of very high quality (a meta-analysis) has found that probiotic and fish oil supplementation in pregnancy may reduce the risk of eczema and egg allergy in the offspring. That’s great, you say, no eczema or egg allergy. Actually, I am going speculate intelligently, and suggest to you that eczema and egg allergy are what I would call marker conditions, meaning conditions which are part of a greater category of tendencies that we call atopy, or the tendency to react to things. Atopic patients are those with troubles like asthma, rashiness, and lots of allergies. Their immune system is likely a little dysfunctional in vaguely defined ways. If simple nutritional interventions during pregnancy can help curtail such tendencies in children, that’s interesting and beneficial. 

A new document of WHO (World Health Organization) pregnancy recommendations for woman in childbirth strikes me as unwieldy. It seems to address such a wide range of women in a wide range of conditions that it becomes unusable. Yes, it highlights recent findings and recommendations about giving natural unaugmented labor longer to progress. Yes, it advocates for movement and positioning during labor, and the presence of a supportive environment and support people. It mentions delayed cord clamping. But these are already standards of care in the US. However the document gets an identity crisis when it states continuous monitoring is not recommended, and yet allows food in labor, does not mandate an IV, and yet allows pain relief like epidurals. (One cannot have an epidural without an IV). It is a document for caregivers of patients who in many cases have had little or no prenatal care, and so in a modern care environment they would be considered high risk until proven otherwise. In no state of this union would a high risk patient be permitted to go without IV or monitoring. Neither would they be permitted to eat if an epidural was under consideration. In any labor, C section is a real possibility, and to have food in the stomach ahead of that is a real risk. On the other hand, if there were no facilities for C section then perhaps it is fine to allow patients to eat and go without an IV. But one’s ability to allow these things would not, under those circumstance, be because they are safe. It would be because they would not matter. 

I am afraid this document will entirely confuse practitioners in a modern care environment. The WHO document recommends things which, in our environment, would be indefensible. The document almost needs to be cleaved into two documents, one for those in poorly equipped areas, and one for those unwell equipped area. This document appears to be written by people who would like to think that the rules should be the same for all women in the world, and that all laboring women in the world would have the same standard of care. I am one of those people. However, the authors of this WHO document are trying to torque this equality into being by sanctioning the labor care methods of minimally equipped facilities; in short, they achieve a unified standard of labor care by writing a  document recommending a much lower standard or care for all. We in the US already have enough trouble with our maternal morbidity and mortality without these recommendations. 

A new headline in “Health Day” covering an article  published in the Journal of Nursing has concluded that "food and drink in labor appear to be safe". ACOG currently sanctions only clear liquids in labor, and this is to avoid the risk of aspiration of solid food particles, something to which pregnant women are vulnerable, especially if they go to C section. When an apparent discrepancy in recommendations like this comes up, it is always good to unpack the details. Did I mention I was a splitter ? It turns out the study was case-control design, done at a smaller Port Jefferson, New York hospital over 4 years. The study was actually comparing just ice chips versus clear liquids like jello and italian ices, the so-called "food". We have known for some time that clear liquids, which is what jello and italian ices are, are safe. The “food”is not solid, the study's conclusion is not news, and the recommendations have not changed. However, I worry that laboring women around the country will be asking to see a menu to order food as they enter labor. 

Stay tuned for more news from the amazing world of Obstetrics and Gynecology, right here, next week, in Medical Monday. 

Medical Monday: Breaking News from the World of Obstetrics and Gynecology

The big policy news is the ACA (Affordable Care Act). It is still in force. Furthermore, As of November 1st, it is enrollment time again, the fifth so far. Apparently 76% of Americans did not know that enrollment started last Wednesday. This is year is different, with uncertainty and confusion abounding. The public needs to be aware that the ACA is still in force, and that those eligible should enroll. A recent poll indicates that 18% of Americans do not think the ACA is still in force. They must be aware they may not see much about it in the media, since the Trump administration slashed funds for advertising by 90%. Moreover, they should be aware that the time for enrollment has been was cut in half, to 6 weeks, with no service for 12 hours on Sundays. The bottom line is that many consumers MISTAKENLY BELIEVE they will not get insurance the next year. 

Those that do sign up will find premiums have risen by 37 % on average. This is because of fears, loss of subsidies, and fewer insurers who are participating. All would do well to realize, though, that while there were 167 insurers in 2017 participating, there are still 132 this year. While the Trump administration has cited rising premiums as evidence that the ACA has failed, 80% of consumers can get a plan for less than $75 per month after tax credits. 

The States have generally recognized the long term and short term value of the ACA. Accordingly Governors, as a rule, have objected to its weakening. There are, however 12 States, who have taken matters in to their own hands, and run their own marketplaces. These plans will advertise normally, and have appropriate infrastructure to help consumers enroll. They realize that more enrollees makes a more stable market, and one that will run at the least possible cost. 

Preeclampsia has made the medical news this week. A new study has focused on the all too common disease process which pregnant women and their babies. An official at the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) has called it the most common severe problem for women in pregnancy. It leads to morbidity for both mother and baby. It has a price tag of over 2 billion dollars annually. And yet it’s exact cause remains unknown. We do know that it is more common in the very young and the very old who are pregnant, as well as the obese, the hypertensive, and those with certain autoimmune disorders. We do not that daily aspirin can help prevent recurrence, but that many patients are not receiving this simple, safe and inexpensive therapy. More research is needed. 

Contraception is again in the news. Columnist Bryce Covert has rightly summarized a large body of scientific literature in his opinion piece about the relationship between the availability of contraception and the strength of the economy. He points out that the Trump administration’s curtailment of access to contraception is likely to be associated with a gradual slowing of the economy. If women are able to easily chose the size of their family, they are more likely to chose a size they can afford. If they can put off childbearing until they are finished with education, their educational and professional attainments will be higher before bearing children, should they chose to do so. The pool of workers will be larger, and it will be more skilled. Families will be more solvent and have bigger savings. All these things contribute to the strength of the economy in very real terms. 

More good news for breastfeeding. Breastfeeding has numerous benefits to mother and baby. For mother, it helps slow post partum bleeding. It helps loss of pregnancy weight gain. It fosters bonding. It is convenient and hygienic. For babies, it enhances dental health, immunity, and growth of the newborn brain. It fosters bonding. New research also indicates that just two months of breastfeeding lowers the risk of SIDS, sudden infant death syndrome. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a minimum of one year of breastfeeding. 

Preterm birth rates are creeping up in the US, disproportionately affecting minority women. Complicating matters, is that the one proven preventive, 17- hydroxy progesterone, brand name Makena, is expensive, and is greatly underutilized nationwide, especially in underserved area. And here, I’d like to speak to insurance companies: Think Makena is expensive ? Try comparing that with a long stay in the Newborn ICU ! 

Stay tuned for more amazing news from the world of Obstetrics and Gynecology, next week, here on Medical Mondays ! 

Medical Monday: Breaking News from the World of Obstetrics and Gynecology

This week, the health care sector spent most of its time digesting the health care policy news from the end of last week. Reactions are coming in regarding Theresa Manning, Trump’s head of Title X family planning program. Here is a woman who criticizes the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) on its endorsement of Plan B, the morning after pill, and who openly claims that contraception doesn’t work. 

Did you know that 22% of pregnant Texans under 18 have had multiple children ? Texas, the State recently enacting several curtailments to women’s reproductive services, is now grappling with it’s varied distinctions such as having sky high maternal mortality rates, and the highest repeat teen pregnancy rates in the Union. In a near comical about face, Texas is now considering a bill to provide free contraception to minors without parental consent. They have just now figured out this will reduce maternal morbidity, mortality, abortion rates and Medicaid costs. WOW. 

Reactions at a town hall meeting on New Jersey were quite clear, as participants boo’d their elected Senate Representative Tom MacArthur as he explained that rape victims could potentially be excluded from coverage. Talk about adding insult to injury. 

Pregnancy stands to be much more expensive under the ACHA. Those with prior Obstetrical complications such as C sections may fall under preexisting conditions and be charged exorbitant premiums. 

Senate Conservatives plan to drop millions of adults from Medicaid, which they say will reduce health care spending. They had originally said that tax credits instead would help people pay for health care, but now they wish to limit those on the fear that some may use their tax credit cash to pay for abortions. Paranoid much ? Moderate Republican Senators wish to keep the Medicaid expansion, citing it’s many benefits to their States. 

The Congressional Budget Office still appears to have teeth. They are the nation’s bean counters and they have yet to weigh in with REAL FACTS not #alternativefacts on how much the current administration’s ACHA (American Health Care Act) health care proposal will cost. This will include not only the cost of the insurance, but the uncovered health care costs incurred by those who lose their insurance. Polls show support of the ACHA is waning, and is down to around a third of Americans. 

A new study has shown that the credit card debt jumps for women but not men after a year of major medical expenses. Combine this with the fact that women have, on average, 20 % less income and spending power compared to men. Still ? 

As the weather gets warmer, Zika is back in the news. The CDC is now recommending all women at risk for Zika get a baseline Zika blood test. Once pregnant, they are to be retested every trimester. The CDC anticipates that this proactive schedule of testing will unearth many more cases of Zika this year. 

Hepatitis C has tripled its incidence between 2010 and 2015. Federal officials feel that the heroin epidemic is driving this. Among pregnant women, the infection rate has doubled. 

Perhaps in response to all the anti-contraceptive politics or perhaps for a variety of other reasons, the use of LARCs (Long acting reversible contraceptives such as IUDs) has increased seven fold between the years of 2008 and 2013. These are considered very good but still  underutilized methods. 

A new study presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology states that marijuana smoked by pregnant women could damage the retinas of unborn children. The study utilized an animal model which showed this effect. 

Research presented at ACOG’s recent annual meeting indicated that patient information presented on Society Websites is too advanced for patients. These education materials do not meet the so-called health literacy standards, which are meant to ensure that information reaches it’s target. This is of particular concern to me as medical writer whose aim it is to convey information to a lay public and to my patients. 

What do you think ? Would you rather information be a little too simple or a little too complex ? It is quite hard to get it just right. 

Stay tuned for more breaking news next week on Medical Monday. 

Medical Monday: Breaking News from the World of Obstetrics and Gynecology

In the most important news of the week, the ACA replacement plan was unveiled this last Monday, March 6th. It’s official name is “The American Health Care Act”. 

The bullet points: 

• Federal insurance subsidies are replaced by individual tax credits and state grants. 
• The individual mandate to have insurance will be scrapped, and replaced by a 30% surcharge the next time you try to purchase insurance. 
• The Medicaid expansion would end. 
• Protection of those with preexisting conditions will stay.
• The ban on lifetime coverage caps will stay.
• The ability to insure children until age 26 will stay. 

Initial reactions were negative to tepid, even among Republicans.  Analysts have noted that the tax credits will range between $2000 and $4000 based on age, rather than income. Tax credits will, of course only materialize for those who pay taxes, and the full credit will be utilized only if the patient pays enough tax to use it. Assuming even that the whole credit is received, it is still not as much as current subsidies. In many cases it will not cover deductibles. In short, the ACA replacement plan lowers prices for the more well off and increases prices for the poor. 

The bill was strongly criticized by very conservative lawmakers based on budgetary concerns. Conservatives and moderates also voiced concerns regarding widespread loss of coverage that will occur. Assuming there are no Democrats who approve the bill, there can be no more than 22 Republicans who disapprove of it for it to fail. 

By the end of the week, two key House Committees, Ways and Means, and Energy and Commerce did approve the bill. Nonetheless, many Republicans are against it as is every doctor group, every health care group, and every consumer rights group. 

Trump is reaching across the aisle on the issue of prescription drugs. He, together with most Democrats, favor allowing Medicaid to negotiate with drug companies on prices. Republicans have long opposed this. Hopefully it will save costs but not detract from research. 

Many continue to worry about the loss of contraceptive benefits by one means or another. One nonprofit called “Child Trends” has come out with an estimate that keeping contraceptive access for all women would SAVE $12 billion yearly. They also estimate this strategy would be accompanied by drops in unintended pregnancies, unintended births and abortions by 63-67%. 

In #alternativemedicalfacts news, many authorities are decrying the Indiana law requiring that the “abortion reversal procedure “ be discussed with patients. Medical authorities including ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) have been very vocal about the fact that the procedure simply does not work, does not exist, and is not real. Utah has passed a similar bill. 

In Pennsylvania, one bill is seeking to ban the abortion pill. This pill is used to effect very early abortions without surgery. However, it is also used to stop hemorrhages after deliveries or miscarriages. Difficulty getting this medication would be an unmitigated disaster. We use it every day on our Labor and Delivery unit and it literally saves lives there and the world over. 

Kentucky has passed a bill defunding Planned Parenthood even though Kentucky Planned Parenthood does not provide abortion. 

Maryland has devised a bill to fund Planned Parenthood on their own, should it otherwise be defunded. 

Nevada democrats are testing the judicial waters by introducing a bill which would require insurers in the state to cover contraception regardless of religious objections. Of course this would be in opposition to the Supreme Court decision prompted by Hobby Lobby which states that businesses “with religious objections”. supplying insurance do not have to cover contraception. Go to Michaels or Joannes instead but stop by Michaels to tell them what you think. #canabusinesshaveareligion ? 

New Mexico has installed state law requiring that all insurers cover contraception at no out of pocket costs. They have gone a step further and added Vasectomy to the list of covered services. 

The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has again questioned the utility of the annual pelvic exam. This has happened  before. As before, ACOG has maintained its validity as a screening tool. I personally find all kinds on things on routine screening pelvic exams on asympmotmatic patients. Perhaps the devil is in the details. Perhaps the utility or sensitivity of the exam depends on the examiner. A general surgeon friend of mine one told me with a wry look, “the pelvic exam is not sensitive in my hands”, meaning he really does not know what he is feeling, even though he is an excellent general surgeon. Perhaps if the USPSTF compared the utility of the pelvic exam for ob/gyns to the pelvic exam for other caregivers, they would see a difference. 

Beyond that, I want to know why the routine pelvic exam is being so rigorously studied. Is it costing the taxpayer a disproportionate amount of money ? Is it harmful ? Is it generating false positive results ? Is there a problem ? Aren’t there more pressing problems in health care that deserve our attention ? Why are women’s health care procedures always first on the chopping block ? #waronwomenshealth

We have a new department in Medical Mondays. You’ll love it. It is called “Outrage of the Week”. Let’s hope we do not have one every week, but something tells me we will. You will not believe this, and I mean you all on both sides of the aisle will not believe this. Republican Representative John Shimkus of Illinois has questioned why men should have to pay for insurance covering prenatal care. The Washington Post has reported that, among critics of the ACA, this is not the first time this question has been posed. #waronwomenandchildrenshealth

In the human nature department we report the following: The percent of overweight and obese patients has increased from 53 to 66 % in the last 3 years. However, the percent trying to lose weight has decreased from 59 to 49 %. These patients are invariably very expensive, medically speaking.  Should insurance prices account for weight or other health habits ? Should insurance give breaks for those who do not have issues or those who show documented effort to resolve their issues ? 

In medical good news department, we report on easy cancer prevention. In a two decade study of 60,000 women, published in the International Journal of Cancer, the Mediterranean diet has been found to be of benefit. In particular, it is estimated that about a THIRD of estrogen receptor negative cases of breast cancer would never happen if women were to adhere to this particular diet. 

On that tasty note, we will conclude, and hope that you will have the stomach for next week’s Medical Monday. 

Medical Monday: Breaking News from the World of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Policy news continues to dominate. The new administration's efforts to repeal the ACA (Affordable care Act) continue. However, Republican leaders are scrambling to resolve the internal GOP divisions which have developed over healthcare policy particulars.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has again gone on record opposing any  changes that will limit women's reproductive coverage in this country. However OB/GYNs in this country also concerned about the so-called"Global Gag Rule”. The global gag rule is a policy that states that advising about or providing abortion disqualifies an international health care agency from receiving funds from the United States. It has been in and out of effect depending on the administration in office over the last 20 years. Dr. Daniel Grossman at the University of California San Francisco has recently published an editorial which sites research indicating that the “Global Gag Rule” actually increases the number of abortions in sub-Saharan African countries, due to reduced access to contraception. This is not a surprise since these international healthcare organizations use their funds for the spectrum of healthcare needs, including contraception. When they lose funds, they lose it for everything across-the-board. 

Dr. Grossman has also published about research on this country indicating that restricting access to abortion though administrative hoops or clinic closures does not reduce the number of abortions. It merely causes the  percentage of later second trimester abortions to increase. In case this is not clear, later procedures have higher risks of complications of all kinds. This is what we call an unintended consequence. 

Again it has come to light that if tax credits replace subsidies to pay for healthcare, the wealthy will benefit the most. That is because they have the most taxes against which to apply deductions. Younger people will also benefit disproportionately, since their premiums are low and the GOP proposal includes  giving the same dollar amount of credit to each person regardless of the amount of their premium. In contrast to these benefits for the young and wealthy, such GOP replacement plans as currently drawn will in increased costs for the majority of middle income and middle aged Americans.

The new administration has made it clear that it does not favor retaining the penalty for those who do not buy health insurance, the so-called “ individual mandate”.  Generally people with chronic health conditions make arrangements to have some form of health insurance coverage, since they know they will need it. It is the young andthe healthy who tend to skip purchasing health insurance since they think they can get away with it. I have two thoughts about this. Number one, They may not realize that if they have anything as simple as a car accident with a broken leg, they may end up with a bill that is tens of thousands of dollars. When they cannot pay this bill, it damages their credit, and the costs are absorbed by the rest of us who have taken the trouble to obtain insurance. Systemwide, their failure to get insurance also has effects. In particular, if the young and healthy tend to go without insurance, they are not contributing to the pool, and this drives up the insurance prices for the elderly and the unwell.

Utah has joined the league of States who now legally require abortion providers to counsel women about a procedure that does not exist, the “abortion reversal” procedure. Members of that House have dissented, saying the procedure is not backed science, and is medically inaccurate.  

A controversial proposal to require Medicaid recipients to work is on the table. A number of Republican Governors are promoting, this, ostensibly hoping people will work themselves right out of their Medicaid eligibility. Medicaid currently ensures one in five Americans. 

The CDC(Centers for Disease Control) has confirmed that American women who were pregnant with Zika  have a 20 fold increase in certain birth defects. The CDC continues to recommend restriction of travel to Zika affected areas for pregnant women. 

In the good news department, policymakers of various kids are working to secure women’s health care despite the repeal of the ACA. State based bills to preserve services of contraception, prenatal care, STI ( sexually transmitted infection) screening, sterilization and counseling are being introduced around the nation. 

The Virginia General assembly has recently outlawed FMG-female genital mutiliation. FMG is removal of the external female genitalia, including the labia and clitoris. It is carried out between infancy and the age of 15. It has no health benefits and commonly causes chronic pain, and urinary tract issues. At this time, 200 million women in 30 countries around the world have been “cut”. It is widely practiced in Africa, the Middle East and Asia and is considered an extreme form of discrimination against women. It is intended to render women less sexual, less “unclean", less likely to stray, and more marriageable. No religious scripts prescribe it, though practitioners believe the practice has religious support. The World Health Organization (WHO) considers it a violation of human rights. International human rights groups have applauded the Virginia decision. 

In more good news, Colorado has passed laws allowing pharmacists to prescribe oral contraceptives. Medical screening by the pharmacist will be required. ACOG has applauded the measure, citing the safety of the medications, and the improved access to contraception. 

Stay tuned next week for more interesting news from the world of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 

Medical Monday: Breaking News from the World of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

For the first time in many months, there is nothing new to report about the Zika virus. I am going to take this is as a good thing and report on the rest of the news. 

With the end of 2016 approaching, ACA (Affordable Care Act) signups have reached a new high. At the same time many fear loss of their contraceptive method if the ACA is repealed. The ACA as it currently stands, pays 100% for contraceptives. 

The ACA seems to have enabled more people to keep up on preventive care. Also according to a new study, the number of adults who skipped recommended medical care fell about 20 % between 2013 and 2015. Similarly, a new Vanderbilt study showed that patients accessed emergency department care more quickly since cost was not a consideration in choice of hospital.  

Texas has noticed all Planned Parenthood Clinics that it is removing them from the Medicaid Program. This means that no Medicaid recipients may be seen at Planned Parenthood, which normally serves predominantly the Medicaid population. I’m wondering if this will have unintended consequences. For example, perhaps Planned Parenthood will have to start filing their clinics with well insured women, while the private and hospital owned clinics uptown will start to fill with medicaid patients ? It will be interesting to see how this will play out. It almost certainly will mean less access to care and a shift in who sees whom. Planned Parenthood is appealing the Texas Health and Human Services Division. 

ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologist) has officially endorsed 30-60 seconds of delayed cord clamping. This procedure allow baby to get more blood from the umbilical cord. This is especially beneficial for smaller, early babies, but can be good for term babies as well. It results in higher blood hemoglobin counts, but also, understandably more jaundice, since jaundice comes from the breakdown products of blood cells. As an obstetrician, I can tell you that this works out most of the time. However, if baby is not breathing well, I get them to the nursery staff right away. Also, if there is excess maternal bleeding, we cut this procedure short, and move to get the placenta delivered. 

On a personal note to readers, I have appreciated all the attention to my posts. However, I plan to curtail my blogging to once a week come January 1st, 2017. I will continue Medical Monday since I believe this information to be very important to you. Additionally, I do plan to put out an occasional digest of existing website pages and posts on selected topics, which I think will be high value. However, based on my numbers of readers and subscribers, it seems clear to me that I need to get my information out in more accessible forms, such as in books or apps. There is so much material on the site now, that most topics are really well fleshed out, though the material is deep in the pages. I will need some time to pull this content out and organize it. At the same time, you are of course welcome and encouraged to access the website anytime via the menu, the search page, or the blog tags on the right of the home page on your own and free of charge. My website will be there free for all as an up to date medical resource.  

Medical Monday: Breaking News from the World of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Good Monday.

First the Zika news. Dr. Anne Schuchat, the principal deputy director of the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) has stated that "everything we look at with this virus seems to be a bit scarier than we initially thought”, noting that "the virus has been linked to a broader array of birth defects throughout a longer period of pregnancy, including premature birth and blindness in addition to the smaller brain size caused by microcephaly”. Additionally, she announced that "the mosquito that carries the Zika virus is present in 30 states, more than twice what officials originally thought. The maps at right indicated the territory of these mosquitos. Click on the image to take you to the CDC site on the subject. 

The White House has shifted nearly $589 million or over half a billion dollars in leftover Ebola funds in order to fight the Zika virus. This comes well short of the $1.9 billion that has been requested by the National Institute on Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the Director of this organization has announced that he will also be diverting funds from other areas in order to close the gap on funding what he views as critical efforts.

Florida leads the nation in number of Zika cases which last week totaled 84. Zika cases in Florida account for 23% of all cases in the states. Mosquito activity is of course greater in warm climates. It is expected that when the rest of the southern part of the country achieves these temperatures that Zika transmission will increase. The CDC has reiterated that insect repellent containing DEET are safe to use at any stage of pregnancy.

Zika is now associated a third clearcut disease entity. We already know a fair amount about microcephaly which is incurred by the fetus when a pregnant woman acquires a Zika infection during pregnancy. We also know about Guillain-Barré syndrome, post viral paralysis, which can effect of minority of people after a Zika infection. Researchers in Brazil are now reporting that the virus may be linked to "an autoimmune disorder known as acute disseminated encephalomyelitis or ADEM. In this syndrome neurological symptoms could start right away or as long as two weeks later. 

New research from the CDC indicates that white women between the ages of 30s and 50s are dying at increasing rates. This is been attributed to poor access to healthcare in rural America. In related news, a new study from Delaware has indicated that women enrollees in their state Medicaid program outnumber men to 2 to 1. State officials are interpreting this as an indication of increased poverty among women.

California has expanded the care that pharmacists are able to give. Perhaps most significantly, they are now able to prescribe contraceptives without the patient having to visit to another caregiver. While three quarters of physicians in one poll do not support the dispensing of birth control by a pharmacist, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists support this legislation wholeheartedly.

Delaware has modified its Medicaid policy to require that contraceptive costs be bundled with the hospital’s charge for obstetric care. The Governor of the state, Jack Markell, recently wrote an op-ed for the New York Times describing this change and indicating his belief that it would allow for better family planning. He also went on to argue that contraception is vital to prosperity. 

The Guttmacher Institute recently released a study showing that teen abortion and pregnancy rates have dropped to historic lows. Teen pregnancy rates in particular have been cut in half between the years 1990 and 2011. The teen pregnancy rate in 2011 was 52.4 per thousand and, also of interest, is nearly 25% lower than the rate in 2008.

That seems like plenty to think about this week. Stay tuned next week for more news from the amazing world of Ob/Gyn. 

Medical Monday: Breaking News from the World of Obstetrics and Gynecology

The CDC has finally given some time bound recommendations to prevent the spread of Zika virus. In particular, they are advising women to wait 8 weeks after Zika infection to attempt pregnancy. Men are advised to wait 6 months before having unprotected sex. Imagine, there is nearly an entire continent of people who are being asked to strictly observe these rules. 

Knowledge about Zika is diffusing northward. Nonetheless, about 1 in 3 people in the US think Zika is spread like a cold. Furthermore, 42% do not realize it is sexually transmitted, and 29% do not realize it can be spread through blood transfusions. Seventy five precent do not know of its association with Guillaine Barre syndrome, post viral paralysis. They have obviously not been reading this blog. You know that it can be acquired through a bite from the Aedes Aegyptae mosquito, from sexual contact with an infected person, vertically from mother to child, and also in any manner that is blood borne. 

The CDC is working hard to get sources of contraception to Puerto Rico, which is under dire threat from the Zika virus. The CDC has recently ramped up their presence on the island and estimates that 138,000 women there do NOT wish to become pregnant but do NOT have access to birth control. 

Democrats in the Colorado House have moved to take away copays for birth control in their state. It still has to pass the House where the GOP holds a one seat majority. 

The Governor of Virginia Terry McAuliffe has vetoed a bill which would have blocked Planned Parenthood Funding in his state. Apparently the bill as written would not affect the ability to provide abortions but would have blocked small state grants for health services like cancer screening and sexually transmitted infections. 

The FDA is altering the labelling for the use of “ Mifeprex” the so called abortion pill. It can now be used for up to 70 days after a missed period rather than 49. The new criteria have been approved by the WHO ( World Health Organization), the AMA ( American Medical Association) and ACOG ( American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.) These governing bodies have all cited the need to bring legislative practice into line with available scientific evidence, and this meets this requirement.

I can not help but wonder if this change was hastened by the Zika crisis plaguing the Americas. Because of the specter of the complication of microcephaly in babies born to Zika infected mothers, abortion is under more consideration there than ever before. 

Smoking is has been a scourge to all, but it is arguably harder on women than it is on men. Many people do not realize it’s role in fostering cervical cancer. The reason for this is that HPV ( human papilloma Virus) causes cervical cancer by inserting its DNA into the DNA of our cervical cells. Chemicals from smoking makes DNA fragile so that it breaks ( and admits the virus) easily and makes more errors in replication. That is one of the main ways it causes disease including cancer all over the body. A shocking new report has found that smoking while pregnant produces the same DNA mutations in babies as it does in adult smokers. This study was large and considered very authoritative. 

New research published in the Journal Circulation has indicated an association between endometriosis and cardiovascular disease. This was an observational study with large numbers, so it does not speak to causality or mechanism. It is nonetheless useful information in that it may prompt more investigation, and even at this early junction, prompt more targeted screening of possibly at risk patients. 

Wow this week’s news is rather sobering and somehow all connected. Here’s hoping the week will bring some good news to the world of Women’s Health.