Aaron Mitchell
@thewonkologist.bsky.social
Medical oncologist and health services researcher. Focusing on health care costs, physician-industry COI, and oncology reimbursement reform. Opinions mine.
Reposted by Aaron Mitchell
The flu and pneumonia kill over 45,000 people a year. Moderna developed a new mRNA flu vaccine for people 50 and older--who are most at risk. Prasad, unilaterally, against the recommendation of experts within the agency, denied Moderna's appplication. www.statnews.com/2026/02/11/m...
Prasad overruled FDA staff to reject Moderna's flu vaccine application
The rejection is the latest instance of Vinay Prasad overruling career FDA scientists to place vaccines under harsher scrutiny.
www.statnews.com
February 11, 2026 at 4:09 PM
The flu and pneumonia kill over 45,000 people a year. Moderna developed a new mRNA flu vaccine for people 50 and older--who are most at risk. Prasad, unilaterally, against the recommendation of experts within the agency, denied Moderna's appplication. www.statnews.com/2026/02/11/m...
🚨🚨🚨
Since we need all the good news we can get these days!
CMS reverses plan to end physical data requests and transition all researchers to the VRDC platform:
resdac.org/cms-news/res...
cc @basucally.bsky.social @aschwartz.bsky.social @academyhealth.bsky.social @wschpero.bsky.social
Since we need all the good news we can get these days!
CMS reverses plan to end physical data requests and transition all researchers to the VRDC platform:
resdac.org/cms-news/res...
cc @basucally.bsky.social @aschwartz.bsky.social @academyhealth.bsky.social @wschpero.bsky.social
Research Data Request & Access Policy Changes Update | ResDAC
In February 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced plans to change how researchers access Medicare and Medicaid data to better protect controlled unclassified information. ...
resdac.org
February 11, 2026 at 7:50 PM
🚨🚨🚨
Since we need all the good news we can get these days!
CMS reverses plan to end physical data requests and transition all researchers to the VRDC platform:
resdac.org/cms-news/res...
cc @basucally.bsky.social @aschwartz.bsky.social @academyhealth.bsky.social @wschpero.bsky.social
Since we need all the good news we can get these days!
CMS reverses plan to end physical data requests and transition all researchers to the VRDC platform:
resdac.org/cms-news/res...
cc @basucally.bsky.social @aschwartz.bsky.social @academyhealth.bsky.social @wschpero.bsky.social
It is really, really sad and angering when one of your own switches sides and joins Team Disease full-on
Prasad is a hematologist/oncologist, not an infectious disease or vaccine expert.
The rejection of Moderna's flu shot application is the latest example of Vinay Prasad overruling career FDA scientists to place vaccines under harsher scrutiny. www.statnews.com/2026/02/11/m...
February 11, 2026 at 5:58 PM
It is really, really sad and angering when one of your own switches sides and joins Team Disease full-on
Honored to be among this year's cohort of grant awardees from the @nihcm.bsky.social !
Drs. Aaron Winn, Pragya Kakani, and I will be studying trends in provider profit margins on cancer drugs.
@mskcancercenter.bsky.social @ascocancer.bsky.social
nihcm.org/news/nihcm-a...
Drs. Aaron Winn, Pragya Kakani, and I will be studying trends in provider profit margins on cancer drugs.
@mskcancercenter.bsky.social @ascocancer.bsky.social
nihcm.org/news/nihcm-a...
NIHCM Awards $500,000 to Support Research on AI Scribes, Perinatal Market Concentration, Specialty Drug Pricing, and More.
Ten new grantees have been selected for NIHCM's 2026 Research cohort. They will generate novel, policy-relevant evidence on health care affordability,...
nihcm.org
February 10, 2026 at 11:59 PM
Honored to be among this year's cohort of grant awardees from the @nihcm.bsky.social !
Drs. Aaron Winn, Pragya Kakani, and I will be studying trends in provider profit margins on cancer drugs.
@mskcancercenter.bsky.social @ascocancer.bsky.social
nihcm.org/news/nihcm-a...
Drs. Aaron Winn, Pragya Kakani, and I will be studying trends in provider profit margins on cancer drugs.
@mskcancercenter.bsky.social @ascocancer.bsky.social
nihcm.org/news/nihcm-a...
New study finding regional variation in adoption of PSMA PET imaging for prostate cancer. As we often see, Southeast is lagging. As this scan is prerequisite to radioligand therapy, could result in treatment disparities
ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/...
@carygross.bsky.social @ascocancer.bsky.social
ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/...
@carygross.bsky.social @ascocancer.bsky.social
February 4, 2026 at 5:46 PM
New study finding regional variation in adoption of PSMA PET imaging for prostate cancer. As we often see, Southeast is lagging. As this scan is prerequisite to radioligand therapy, could result in treatment disparities
ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/...
@carygross.bsky.social @ascocancer.bsky.social
ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/...
@carygross.bsky.social @ascocancer.bsky.social
The best coffee in midtown @cafegrumpy.bsky.social is donating 10% of proceeds today to the @immdefenseproject.bsky.social
January 30, 2026 at 2:15 PM
The best coffee in midtown @cafegrumpy.bsky.social is donating 10% of proceeds today to the @immdefenseproject.bsky.social
Looking forward to speaking on cancer drug prices at this upcoming symposium at Georgetown. March 5th for those of you in the DC area!
cpt.uchicago.edu/program/
cpt.uchicago.edu/program/
Novel Solutions to Address the Rising Cost of Oncology Drugs: Targeting the Demand Side | Center for Personalized Therapeutics
cpt.uchicago.edu
January 27, 2026 at 9:30 PM
Looking forward to speaking on cancer drug prices at this upcoming symposium at Georgetown. March 5th for those of you in the DC area!
cpt.uchicago.edu/program/
cpt.uchicago.edu/program/
New Jersey told doctors to stop accepting more than $10K per year from the drug industry.
...looks like we didn't stop. 😡
Great work by Neeraj Patel, @reshmagar.bsky.social @jsross119.bsky.social
academic.oup.com/healthaffair...
...looks like we didn't stop. 😡
Great work by Neeraj Patel, @reshmagar.bsky.social @jsross119.bsky.social
academic.oup.com/healthaffair...
Changes in pharmaceutical industry payments to physicians after New Jersey's 2018 restriction
The federal government and several states have implemented measures to restrict, ban, and increase transparency of promotional payments from pharmaceutical
academic.oup.com
January 16, 2026 at 1:59 PM
New Jersey told doctors to stop accepting more than $10K per year from the drug industry.
...looks like we didn't stop. 😡
Great work by Neeraj Patel, @reshmagar.bsky.social @jsross119.bsky.social
academic.oup.com/healthaffair...
...looks like we didn't stop. 😡
Great work by Neeraj Patel, @reshmagar.bsky.social @jsross119.bsky.social
academic.oup.com/healthaffair...
New study in @jamanetworkopen.com this week: frequency of post-market safety issues for cancer drugs with accelerated approval.
Happy to collaborate on this study with Dr. Mooghali, @reshmagar.bsky.social @jsross119.bsky.social
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Happy to collaborate on this study with Dr. Mooghali, @reshmagar.bsky.social @jsross119.bsky.social
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Postmarket Safety Actions for Novel Oncology Drugs Granted Accelerated Approval
This cross-sectional study examines postmarket safety actions for novel oncology drugs that received accelerated Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval.
jamanetwork.com
January 14, 2026 at 10:09 PM
New study in @jamanetworkopen.com this week: frequency of post-market safety issues for cancer drugs with accelerated approval.
Happy to collaborate on this study with Dr. Mooghali, @reshmagar.bsky.social @jsross119.bsky.social
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Happy to collaborate on this study with Dr. Mooghali, @reshmagar.bsky.social @jsross119.bsky.social
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Sorry to learn of the passing of David Mitchell, founder and leader of @p4ad.bsky.social who played large role in helping get the Inflation Reduction Act to the finish line.
His voice will be very missed.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/12/h...
His voice will be very missed.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/12/h...
David Mitchell, Who Led Fight on Drug Prices, Dies at 75
www.nytimes.com
January 13, 2026 at 2:16 PM
Sorry to learn of the passing of David Mitchell, founder and leader of @p4ad.bsky.social who played large role in helping get the Inflation Reduction Act to the finish line.
His voice will be very missed.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/12/h...
His voice will be very missed.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/12/h...
Our latest study on physician-industry COI, out last week in The Oncologist.
I have often heard the rationale that "if I'm conflicted with all the companies, then I'm unbiased."
So we asked, how often DO oncologists receive payments from all competing companies?
academic.oup.com/oncolo/advan...
I have often heard the rationale that "if I'm conflicted with all the companies, then I'm unbiased."
So we asked, how often DO oncologists receive payments from all competing companies?
academic.oup.com/oncolo/advan...
How Often Do Oncologists Receive Industry Payments from Competing Companies?
AbstractBackground. Payments from pharmaceutical companies to oncologists can influence prescribing practices. However, some physicians believe that receiv
academic.oup.com
January 12, 2026 at 4:48 PM
Our latest study on physician-industry COI, out last week in The Oncologist.
I have often heard the rationale that "if I'm conflicted with all the companies, then I'm unbiased."
So we asked, how often DO oncologists receive payments from all competing companies?
academic.oup.com/oncolo/advan...
I have often heard the rationale that "if I'm conflicted with all the companies, then I'm unbiased."
So we asked, how often DO oncologists receive payments from all competing companies?
academic.oup.com/oncolo/advan...
Reposted by Aaron Mitchell
Reposted by Aaron Mitchell
Oncologists should support - not oppose - Medicare drug price negotiation. Lower drug prices benefit patients; this should supersede revenue concerns.
So @dusetzinas.bsky.social @rachelsachs.bsky.social and I argue today in @jamaoncology.com
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
1/
So @dusetzinas.bsky.social @rachelsachs.bsky.social and I argue today in @jamaoncology.com
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
1/
Oncology Drug Revenue and Price Negotiation
This Viewpoint examines the potential impacts of the Inflation Reduction Act and negotiation of oncologic drug prices on payments to oncology specialists.
jamanetwork.com
December 26, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Oncologists should support - not oppose - Medicare drug price negotiation. Lower drug prices benefit patients; this should supersede revenue concerns.
So @dusetzinas.bsky.social @rachelsachs.bsky.social and I argue today in @jamaoncology.com
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
1/
So @dusetzinas.bsky.social @rachelsachs.bsky.social and I argue today in @jamaoncology.com
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
1/
Oncologists should support - not oppose - Medicare drug price negotiation. Lower drug prices benefit patients; this should supersede revenue concerns.
So @dusetzinas.bsky.social @rachelsachs.bsky.social and I argue today in @jamaoncology.com
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
1/
So @dusetzinas.bsky.social @rachelsachs.bsky.social and I argue today in @jamaoncology.com
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
1/
Oncology Drug Revenue and Price Negotiation
This Viewpoint examines the potential impacts of the Inflation Reduction Act and negotiation of oncologic drug prices on payments to oncology specialists.
jamanetwork.com
December 26, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Oncologists should support - not oppose - Medicare drug price negotiation. Lower drug prices benefit patients; this should supersede revenue concerns.
So @dusetzinas.bsky.social @rachelsachs.bsky.social and I argue today in @jamaoncology.com
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
1/
So @dusetzinas.bsky.social @rachelsachs.bsky.social and I argue today in @jamaoncology.com
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
1/
Y’all I just dug these out of an attic where they have been for the last THIRTY YEARS and they STILL WORK!
December 26, 2025 at 1:02 AM
Y’all I just dug these out of an attic where they have been for the last THIRTY YEARS and they STILL WORK!
The linked study cites an article which lists me as an author, but which does not actually exist.
I complained to the journal editors.
Over a year later, the study is still there, no retractions or corrections.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39614949/
I complained to the journal editors.
Over a year later, the study is still there, no retractions or corrections.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39614949/
December 20, 2025 at 7:42 PM
The linked study cites an article which lists me as an author, but which does not actually exist.
I complained to the journal editors.
Over a year later, the study is still there, no retractions or corrections.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39614949/
I complained to the journal editors.
Over a year later, the study is still there, no retractions or corrections.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39614949/
“Over the past few years, the group has found that hospitals are a hotspot for outsized markups of all kinds. In one case, the plan paid almost $90,000 for a series of oxaliplatin infusions…that’s more than 700 times what Medicare would’ve paid at the time.”
This entire “Cancer Capitalism” series from @bloomberg.com is worth a read!
Latest topic: the astronomical markups that hospitals charge on cancer drugs:
www.bloomberg.com/features/202...
Latest topic: the astronomical markups that hospitals charge on cancer drugs:
www.bloomberg.com/features/202...
One Generic Cancer Drug Costs $35. Or $134. Or $13,000.
Hundreds of hospitals across the US are marking up old cancer treatments — in some cases hundreds of times what Medicare pays.
www.bloomberg.com
December 20, 2025 at 3:06 PM
“Over the past few years, the group has found that hospitals are a hotspot for outsized markups of all kinds. In one case, the plan paid almost $90,000 for a series of oxaliplatin infusions…that’s more than 700 times what Medicare would’ve paid at the time.”
This entire “Cancer Capitalism” series from @bloomberg.com is worth a read!
Latest topic: the astronomical markups that hospitals charge on cancer drugs:
www.bloomberg.com/features/202...
Latest topic: the astronomical markups that hospitals charge on cancer drugs:
www.bloomberg.com/features/202...
One Generic Cancer Drug Costs $35. Or $134. Or $13,000.
Hundreds of hospitals across the US are marking up old cancer treatments — in some cases hundreds of times what Medicare pays.
www.bloomberg.com
December 20, 2025 at 1:17 PM
This entire “Cancer Capitalism” series from @bloomberg.com is worth a read!
Latest topic: the astronomical markups that hospitals charge on cancer drugs:
www.bloomberg.com/features/202...
Latest topic: the astronomical markups that hospitals charge on cancer drugs:
www.bloomberg.com/features/202...
Reposted by Aaron Mitchell
Very cool!
December 19, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Very cool!
Reposted by Aaron Mitchell
reality has an unfair anti-Trump bias
Q: At the end of this year, those extended Obamacare subsidies expire. What's your message to those 24m Americans who will see their premiums go up?
TRUMP: Don't make it sound so bad. Obviously you're a sycophant for Democrats. You're obviously a provider of bad news for Republicans.
TRUMP: Don't make it sound so bad. Obviously you're a sycophant for Democrats. You're obviously a provider of bad news for Republicans.
December 12, 2025 at 11:35 PM
reality has an unfair anti-Trump bias
Reposted by Aaron Mitchell
Anti-vaxxism is an ideology with maybe the dumbest combination of pointless and evil that has ever existed bsky.app/profile/nyti...
More than 250 people who were exposed to measles, including dozens of unvaccinated school-aged children, are quarantining in South Carolina as the state wrestles to contain an outbreak that has sickened more than 110 people.
Hundreds Quarantined in South Carolina as Measles Outbreak Shows No Sign of Slowing
The outbreak shows no signs of slowing, likely because of the affected area’s “lower-than-hoped-for vaccination coverage,” a state health official said.
nyti.ms
December 12, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Anti-vaxxism is an ideology with maybe the dumbest combination of pointless and evil that has ever existed bsky.app/profile/nyti...
lol this month’s issue of JCO appears to have been resected with positive margins
December 12, 2025 at 2:36 AM
lol this month’s issue of JCO appears to have been resected with positive margins
Reposted by Aaron Mitchell
"One agency source said at least one division is having to pour all of its resources into reviewing drugs that received a voucher, taking time away from other medical products."
NEW: I dug deep into new top drug regulator Tracy Beth Høeg's record at the FDA so far, talked to agency staff, and even found some old and interesting blog posts, to get a sense of how she'll lead the drug center. TLDR, staff are worried. More here:
www.statnews.com/2025/12/11/t...
www.statnews.com/2025/12/11/t...
FDA staff fear Tracy Beth Høeg will bring bias and instability to embattled drug center
Høeg is set to become the fifth head of the FDA's drug center in a year.
www.statnews.com
December 12, 2025 at 2:20 AM
"One agency source said at least one division is having to pour all of its resources into reviewing drugs that received a voucher, taking time away from other medical products."
Reposted by Aaron Mitchell
I didn’t really get how much “health care contact days” is a meaningful patient outcome until I got sick
thank you @ishaniganguli.bsky.social @dusetzinas.bsky.social @jamanetworkopen.com
thank you @ishaniganguli.bsky.social @dusetzinas.bsky.social @jamanetworkopen.com
For older adults with metastatic cancer, each day spent on health care can take away from days that are often devastatingly limited. Our latest study led by Arjun Gupta and Shelley Jazowski with @dusetzinas.bsky.social and Avi Gupta is out now in @jamanetworkopen.com
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Health Care Contact Days in Older Adults With Metastatic Cancer
This cohort study examines patterns and changes in health care contact days over time among traditional Medicare beneficiaries diagnosed with metastatic breast, colorectal, lung, and prostate cancers.
jamanetwork.com
December 9, 2025 at 10:14 PM
I didn’t really get how much “health care contact days” is a meaningful patient outcome until I got sick
thank you @ishaniganguli.bsky.social @dusetzinas.bsky.social @jamanetworkopen.com
thank you @ishaniganguli.bsky.social @dusetzinas.bsky.social @jamanetworkopen.com
Reposted by Aaron Mitchell
So, to all the "RFK's got some good ideas" folks (Rachael Bedard, Leana Wen) and Jay Bhattacharya is "an excellent choice for NIH" (Steven Macedo, Frances Lee) and Vinay Prasad "will bring a breath of fresh air to FDA" (Adam Cifu, John Mandrola) groupies--you own this now too.
I think the *speed* at which RFK Jr and his Great Barrington Declaration/anti-vaxx/Brownstone wrecking crew have been dismantling the US public health system has been really astonishing
Well, Senators Bill Cassidy and Thom Tillis, you wanted RFK Jr. to “go wild” at HHS.
Congratulations. You’ve achieved your goal. He is well on his way to completely destroying the US vaccine program.
Congratulations. You’ve achieved your goal. He is well on his way to completely destroying the US vaccine program.
December 7, 2025 at 11:15 AM
So, to all the "RFK's got some good ideas" folks (Rachael Bedard, Leana Wen) and Jay Bhattacharya is "an excellent choice for NIH" (Steven Macedo, Frances Lee) and Vinay Prasad "will bring a breath of fresh air to FDA" (Adam Cifu, John Mandrola) groupies--you own this now too.