AMA partners with AFFIRM in backing gun research

The American Medical Association is partnering with the American Foundation for Firearm Injury Reduction in Medicine (AFFIRM) in an effort to restart research on firearm injury prevention.

The announcement comes less than a month after AMA delegates voted to support a number of measures to stop gun violence. Officials from AFFIRM said they have created infrastructure to raise and aggregate private sector financial resources to fund firearm injury prevention research. The group seeks to address gun violence as a public health crisis through research, innovation and evidence-based practice.

The United States has a growing epidemic of gun injury. Last year alone, over 38,000 Americans were killed and more than 110,000 were injured by guns. Multiple medical organizations, including the AMA, have called for a comprehensive public health approach to gun violence prevention. Yet firearm injury prevention research remains systematically underfunded by the U.S. government. (Release)

Digital Transformation Unlock the Digital Front Door with an App The Member Mobile App is the smarter and better way to engage members anytime and anywhere. Members can find the right doctors, receive alerts, track spending, use telehealth, and more — all within a guided, intuitive, and seamless experience. Built exclusively for payers, it is ready to install and launch in a few months. Request a consult on how to enable the digital front door with the Mobile App, today. Request a Consult

Pfizer backs off price increases

After being called out directly by President Donald Trump on Monday for raising prices, Pfizer announced it would defer drug price hikes that went into effect July 1.

In a statement, Pfizer Chairman and CEO Ian Read said the decision came after an extensive discussion with Trump on Tuesday to "give the president an opportunity to work on his blueprint" released in May that is aimed at curbing drug costs.

"Pfizer’s announcement to scale back their recent price increases is a win for all Americans," CMS Administrator Seema Verma said in a statement. (Release)

Children's Hospital Los Angeles receives anonymous $20 million donation

Children's Hospital Los Angeles received a $20 million donation, one of the largest donations in its history, to expand its Maurice Marciano Family Foundation Emergency Department and Trauma Center.

The funding will be used to add 11 examination bays, an increase in total bays of 30%, as well as for new equipment and Child Life staff dedicated to the emergency department, officials said. It will also expand the pediatric emergency department's waiting area and remodel nursing stations for team-based care.

The emergency department originally opened in 2011 and was built to handle 65,000 patient visits annually. The hospital reports it is managing nearly 100,000 patient visits every year. Construction is expected to begin later this year. (Release)