INSIGHTS
September 30, 2024

Law and order: Digital health unit

On the docket last week? Legal headlines related to drug pricing, AI, and interoperability. The Federal Trade Commission filed a lawsuit against large pharmacy benefit managers for contributing to inflated insulin prices, and suggested it may litigate drug manufacturers in a similar fashion. The agency also announced cases against four (non-healthcare) businesses for allegedly making deceptive claims about AI-driven services, which could impact how healthcare startups talk about AI features. Continuing a months-long dispute, startup Particle Health filed a lawsuit and formal ONC complaint against Epic related to alleged anticompetitive and information-blocking practices.

Common threads from these legal scenarios underscore the growing tensions between regulatory scrutiny and industry innovation. As federal agencies, startups, and incumbents take to the courtrooms, the push for clearer rules of engagement is intensifying—and outcomes from these cases could reshape sector best practices.

Rock Health is collaborating with the American Academy of Family Physicians to launch the “Advancing AI and Digital Health for Primary Care Initiative,” to identify opportunities for AI and digital health solutions to transform clinical practice, streamline operations, and improve patient outcomes.

 

+ Learn more about the Initiative and meet the Primary Care Leadership Committee.

+ Primary care physicians and clinicians, we want to hear from you! Take our survey to share your thoughts on AI and digital health—and help shape the future of primary care.

Headlines

Rubber, Meet Road: Operationalizing Digital Health Partnerships
Highlights from our recent Innovation Studio on partnerships that deliver ROI Rock Health Advisory

That Message From Your Doctor? It May Have Been Drafted by AI
Addressing inbox overwhelm for clinicians The New York Times

Amazon Cuts Ties With Fertility Benefits Company Progyny
Publicly-traded benefits provider’s stock dropped after losing contract to Maven Clinic STAT News

Instacart Partners With 9amHealth To Combine Weight Loss Drugs With Healthy Foods
9amHealth consumers will have access Instacart’s Fresh Funds stipend Endpoints News

Pomelo Care Acquires The Doula Network To Offer Hybrid Maternity Care Model
Incorporating doula visits into Pomelo’s virtual maternity care program Fierce Healthcare

Boosting Digital Health Can Help Prevent Millions Of Deaths
Spending $0.24 per patient in digital interventions can reduce chronic disease deaths World Health Organization

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