Too young for the MMR shot, babies become 'sitting ducks' in measles outbreaks

medicalxpress - With baby Arthur too young for the measles vaccine and a sibling due in June, the Otwells grew nervous when the threat of the highly contagious virus started factoring into their grocery run.

AI Summary: Health reporting highlights that infants below the eligible age for the MMR vaccine remain highly vulnerable during measles outbreaks, effectively "sitting ducks" until immunization is possible. Public-health experts warn that gaps in community immunity and outbreak control measures disproportionately endanger these youngest children, underscoring the need for stronger herd-protection and targeted outbreak responses.

CMS proposes mandatory hospital-bundled model for joint replacements

Ella Jeffries / beckershospitalreview - CMS is proposing a mandatory, nationwide episode-based payment model for joint replacements that would hold most hospitals responsible for Medicare spending tied to a patient’s surgery and recovery. Beginning Oct. 1, 2027, the model — referred to as CJR-X…

AI Summary: CMS unveiled a plan to make hospitals participate in a mandatory bundled-payment model for joint replacement surgeries, offering a 2.4% payment increase tied to the new program. The proposal would standardize payment and care pathways nationwide, shifting financial and operational risk onto hospitals while aiming to curb costs and improve outcomes.