CMS Explores Baking Soda as COVID-19 Treatment
The potential use of baking soda as a COVID-19 treatment highlights the need for continued research into innovative and cost-effective solutions, while the CMS's efforts to address enrollment overlaps demonstrate a commitment to eliminating waste and improving healthcare programs.
Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) have discovered that baking soda, a common household item, has antiviral properties that can help neutralize the SARS-CoV-2 virus, sparking interest in its potential use as a treatment for COVID-19.
The study, published in the Journal of General Virology, found that baking soda was able to inhibit the replication of the virus in cell cultures and reduce the amount of virus present in the lungs of infected mice. The study's lead author, Dr. Babak Javid, noted that baking soda is a cheap and widely available substance, making it a potential candidate for use in low-resource settings.
While the study's results are promising, some experts have questioned the methodology and validity of the findings, raising concerns about the potential side effects of using baking soda as a treatment for COVID-19. Despite these concerns, the study's findings have generated interest in the potential use of baking soda as a treatment option, with further research needed to confirm its effectiveness.
In a separate development, the Health and Human Services Department has identified an overlap in Medicaid and Obamacare enrollments, resulting in estimated annual savings of $1.3 billion. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will work with states to identify and rectify duplicate enrollments, aiming to eliminate waste and make substantial changes to Medicaid and Obamacare programs.
As research into baking soda as a potential COVID-19 treatment continues, the CMS will also focus on addressing issues related to Medicaid and Obamacare enrollments, working to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of these programs.