State Highlights: Ore. Bills Promote Transparency; Minn. Lawmakers Move To Update Nursing Home Funding Mechanism
A selection of health policy stories from California, Minnesota, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Missouri, Ohio, Indiana, Oregon, New Jersey and Georgia.
The Oregonian:
2 Oregon Bills Promote Health Care Pricing Transparency
Two bills before the Oregon Legislature aim to inform consumers about health care pricing. One bill would require extensive pricing information while the other would provide patients with median prices that would not be insurance-specific. (Terry, 3/9)
The Visalia Times-Delta:
California Farm-Worker Health Care Bill In Pipeline
A state bill would use a little creative financing to provide round-the-clock medical coverage to farm workers in the Salinas Valley and around the state. The bill would establish the Care of Agricultural Workers Fund, a pilot program that would be in place for up to three years and pay for “medical, surgical, and hospital treatment for occupational and nonoccupational injuries and illnesses incurred by agricultural workers.” (Robledo, 3/9)
The Boston Globe:
Partners’ Deal With Doctors Group Under Fire
Just five weeks after its plans to merge with a big suburban hospital were rebuffed, the state’s most powerful health system is moving to complete an acquisition of a smaller doctors group that will strengthen its foothold in the Eastern Massachusetts medical market. (Dayal McCluskey, 3/10)
California Healthline:
One Million Medi-Cal Renewals Up Every Month, Termination Data 'Not Available'
State officials are in the midst of dropping a large number of Medi-Cal beneficiaries. It's the Medi-Cal renewal process -- every year, beneficiaries are required to re-enroll to continue receiving the benefit. (Gorn, 3/9)
The Associated Press:
After Years Of Losses, Rural Nursing Homes Hope For Boost With Funding Change
In tiny towns across Minnesota, nursing homes are stretching limited state funds until it comes time to cut some service or shut down entirely. Lawmakers and industry groups are moving to replace a decades-old funding mechanism for nursing facilities they say falls far short of the actual cost of caring for seniors. It's an emotional issue that combines caring for the elderly with a sharper interest on rural Minnesota, where facilities are losing millions of dollars, and politicians are taking notice. (Potter, 3/9)
The Associated Press:
Indiana Lawmakers Consider 3-year Ban On Building Nursing Homes
The Legislature is reconsidering an effort to impose a moratorium on nursing home construction in most of Indiana, a plan similar to one that failed a year ago following private lobbying by a Republican lawmaker whose family business faced losing millions of dollars. The proposed three-year moratorium would largely prohibit the Indiana Department of Health from giving licenses for new nursing homes, except for counties with occupancy rates greater than 90 percent. It wouldn't prevent construction of about two dozen new facilities that have submitted plans to state agencies or construction of assisted living centers. (Davies, 3/9)
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Transition From Healthy PA To Medicaid To Start Sept. 1
The thousands of Pennsylvanians who are now receiving subsidized health coverage though former Gov. Tom Corbett’s “Healthy PA” program will be transferred to the state’s traditional Medicaid plan by Sept. 1, according to the state Department of Human Services. There will be no gaps in coverage during the shift, the department said. (Toland, 3/9)
The Baltimore Sun:
Former Ravens Player To Testify Against Right-to-die Bill
Former Ravens linebacker O.J. Brigance plans to urge state lawmakers to vote against right-to-die legislation in Annapolis, lending a prominent voice to one of the most controversial issues facing the General Assembly this year. (Cox, 3/9)
Georgia Health News:
Devil's In The Budget Details For State Workers
The budget issue that has most rattled the General Assembly this year involves the proposed elimination of health insurance for 11,500 part-time school employees, mainly bus drivers and cafeteria workers. Gov. Nathan Deal, defending the insurance cut for these “non-certificate” school workers, argued that it’s a matter of fairness to other state employees who work part time but don’t qualify for benefits. (Miller, 3/9)
The St. Joseph News-Press:
Senior Prison Population Continues To Rise
Missouri's taxpayers have been paying for housing a growing number of older prisoners. According to the department's own studies over a decade, the incarcerated prison population age 50 and older has grown. As a group, regardless of age, incarcerated offenders have a higher risk of having major medical issues from their lifestyle choices, like chronic substance abuse. It's a fact Mr. Lombardi recognizes. (White, 3/9)
The Des Moines Register:
Does Iowa Constitution Protect Abortion Rights?
When Planned Parenthood lawyers go before the Iowa Supreme Court Wednesday, they'll be asking for more than permission to continue using a controversial telemedicine system for dispensing abortion pills. They'll also be asking the justices to declare that the Iowa Constitution protects women's right to abortion. Such a ruling could give Iowa abortion rights proponents a stronger hand in future court battles, an independent legal expert said. (Leys, 3/9)
NPR:
States Fund Pregnancy Centers That Discourage Abortion
Google "abortion Columbus" and halfway down the first page is a headline: "Your Right to Choose, Abortion in Columbus." It's for Pregnancy Decision Health Center, or PDHC, a chain of six sites in Ohio's capital whose aim is actually to guide women out of having the procedure. Like many of the thousands of crisis pregnancy centers across the U.S., the PDHC near Ohio State University is right next door to a Planned Parenthood. There's a cozy room for private chats and a larger open space decorated in soothing colors. (Ludden, 3/9)
Nexstar Broadcasting:
Univ. Of Scranton Proposal To Remove Abortion Coverage Draws Protest
Planned Parenthood Keystone and its supporters organized the rally in opposition to the University of Scranton's President's plan to remove abortion from faculty and staff health insurance coverage, even in cases of incest, rape, or when a woman's life is at risk.
Los Angeles Times:
Parents Take Extreme Steps To Keep Their Kids From The Unvaccinated
A Bay Area mother formed a Facebook page where parents could arrange play dates for their children with other vaccinated youngsters. Another mom advocates socially isolating the unvaccinated by asking parents if their child is inoculated before accepting a birthday invitation, or even using the swings at the playground. And an Eagle Rock mom says she now asks about vaccine records when she buys used baby clothing. The fierce debate over childhood vaccines is prompting some parents to take extreme measures to make sure their children are segregated from the unvaccinated. (Foxhall, 3/9)
Kaiser Health News:
Mental Health Privacy Questions Arise In Rape Case At University Of Oregon
The privacy of students who get care at university clinics is in doubt after the mental health records of a women who says she was raped at the University of Oregon were accessed by the school in the course of defending itself against a lawsuit. The unidentified student is suing the university for mishandling her assault. She says she was raped by three basketball players last year. The University of Oregon found the players responsible, kicked them off the team and out of school. (Foden-Vencil, 3/9)
Minnesota Public Radio:
Ride To The Hospital Now, Pay Later -- And Pay And Pay
When an ambulance responds to a 911 call, crew members will likely ask about symptoms and take the patient's blood pressure. One topic that probably won't come up in the conversation is money. And that might lead to an unpleasant surprise later on. The fees charged by local fire departments and nonprofit hospitals typically run more than $1,000. (Gilbert, 3/9)
NJ Spotlight:
Many Hospitals In New Jersey Would See Deep Cuts In State Funding For Charity Care
Many New Jersey hospitals would see steep declines in the amount they’re paid in direct state subsidies under Gov. Chris Christie’s proposed budget, although some would receive more aid. In releasing hospital-by-hospital aid figures on Friday, state Department of Health officials said the overall proposed 23 percent cut in charity care reimbursements was the result of an even greater decline of 43 percent in the amount of charity care that hospitals provided to uninsured state residents last year. (Kitchenman, 3/9)