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Archive of Health Care on Tuesday May 13, 2008
HMO pullouts upend Connecticut Medicaid
NEW HAVEN, Conn. - What started as a legal-aid lawyer's effort to improve health care for poor people has left Connecticut's Medicaid program in turmoil, jeopardizing health care for thousands of poor residents. Read More
Bredesen budget cuts jobs, TennCare, pre-K
Funding for state universities will be cut $56 million and 80,000 fewer people with huge medical bills will be enrolled in TennCare. Read More
Alabama governor Riley says he will sign ban on indoor smoking
Former cigarette smoker Gov. Bob Riley said Monday that he would sign into law a broad ban on indoor smoking at workplaces and public places, if the bill were to pass the Legislature next week. Read More
Easley tax proposals greeted coolly
Gov. Mike Easley's proposal to raise taxes on alcohol and cigarettes ran into nearly immediate skepticism from senior lawmakers Monday, who characterized the idea as anywhere between "ambitious" and "unlikely." Read More
Rendell vows veto if state bill preempts Philadelphia smoking ban
Gov. Rendell yesterday said he would veto any legislation to ban smoking in public places statewide if it would weaken Philadelphia's existing law. Read More
Medical copter lacked two safety upgrades
The company that operated the medical helicopter that crashed near La Crosse is updating its fleet with the latest safety equipment but had not retrofitted that aircraft, officials said Monday. Read More
State report sheds light on snooping into UCLA Medical Center files on Farrah Fawcett and Britney Spears
California health regulators have connected 14 more people affiliated with UCLA Medical Center, including four physicians, to the improper viewing of celebrity medical records, bringing the number of current and former workers apparently implicated in the snooping scandal to 68. Read More
Tuition waivers, safety training among new state laws
The following are among the bills that passed the General Assembly in its recent session. Read More
Del. AG finds abuse at hospital
The Delaware Attorney General's Office has found "systemic violations" of the state's Mental Health Patient's Bill of Rights during a 10-month investigation into allegations of patient abuse at the Delaware Psychiatric Center. Read More
Inmates say prison food made them sick
Florida's prison system had already fined its food provider $241,000 this year over staffing and supply issues. And then 277 inmates said they became sick last month after eating chili. Read More
HMSA offers free Part D talks
Members of Hawaii Medical Service Association who have questions about their medications under Medicare Part D plans can get the answers from a free HMSA program. Read More
State to shrink Hawk-I ad budget
Iowans will see fewer billboards and TV ads for the Hawk-I insurance program starting in July, but administrators remain optimistic that they can enroll thousands more children using other means. Read More
Lawmakers hear, see diabetic study
If lawmakers can see the prevalence of diabetes in their communities on a big screen, they may be more motivated to set aside dollars necessary to better prevent the disease. Read More
Farm accidents increased across state in 2007
The number of fatal farm accidents in Indiana tripled last year following six years of decline, according to a new report. Read More
State's universities assist homeland security
SOMERSET, Ky. - Several federally funded homeland-security projects at Kentucky universities are nearly ready for commercial use. Read More
Bill would cut N.O.'s health care
The New Orleans region could lose up to $70 million a year in health care financing under a bill approved overwhelmingly by the Senate on Monday that aims to redistribute the way money is divided among southern Louisiana charity hospitals. Read More
Most Mass. doctors face lower cost for malpractice coverage
Despite assertions that high malpractice rates are driving them out of the state, Massachusetts doctors are paying less than they were in 1990, after adjusting for inflation, according to a Suffolk University Law School study. Read More
State extends dioxin advisories for consuming wild game
The state has extended advisories for consuming wild game from the Tittabawassee River and Saginaw River flood plains because of dioxin contamination from Dow Chemical Co. Read More
House passes bill with rules on surrogate-mom contracts
The House passed a bill Monday that would set legal guidelines for surrogate-mother agreements after opponents were unable to tighten rules under which a woman could agree to bear a child for someone else. Read More
At The Capitol / Health bill OK'd in House, Senate
Minnesota lawmakers defied a veto threat from Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Monday in approving a reform measure that would define affordable health care, offer more Minnesotans state-subsidized health care and promote public health. Read More
Funds for mental health in governor's plan
Gov. Mike Easley's proposed budget seeks to improve the state's troubled mental health system, shoring up local services and state hospital care. But Easley, legislators and others concerned about mental health services said still more needs to be done. Read More
Easley seeks escalation in 'sin taxes'
Gov. Mike Easley's plan to give teachers dramatic raises and spend $68 million to reform the mental health system depends on his ability to sell increases in so-called "sin taxes" to the legislature in an election year. Read More
N.J. hospital workers rally against proposed budget cuts
TRENTON, N.J. -- Gov. Corzine said yesterday that he was "bound and determined" to right troubled state finances as New Jersey hospital workers rallied outside the Statehouse against his plan to cut state hospital aid by 14 percent. Read More
Hearing shines light on report of drugs in drinking water
It is too soon to determine if trace amounts of pharmaceuticals in New Jersey's drinking water will affect public health, and studies need to continue to find answers, water quality experts said yesterday. Read More
Cleveland Clinic considers ending affiliation with Case Western Reserve University
Wounds still festering after two years are the reason the Cleveland Clinic might jilt Case Western Reserve University in favor of a union with Columbia University. Read More
Gay rights groups launch hospital ratings
NEW YORK - Just over half of 88 hospitals got top marks under a new rating system created by two national gay-rights organizations that hope the standards will result in more compassionate treatment of gay and lesbian patients. Read More
United Way to address state seniors' issues
United Way of Central Oklahoma released its Envision 2020 report Monday, outlining several areas that older Oklahoma County residents say need attention. Read More
Rendell says he'll veto weakened ban on smoking
A House-Senate panel had been expected to adopt a compromise bill yesterday outlining which workplaces had to be smoke-free, but Gov. Ed Rendell changed things with just a few words at a news conference. Read More
$100M fund to attract jobs
Gov. Phil Bredesen proposed Monday a revised state budget that puts $100 million into a new economic development "contingency fund" while cutting $80 million from a TennCare program for the "medically needy." Read More
Buyout talk changes state workers' retirement plans
The prospect of lucrative buyout packages is leading some state employees to put their retirement plans on hold. Read More
Bredesen focuses cuts on three areas
The state should cut from TennCare spending, higher education and employees' salaries to respond to its deepening economic downturn, Gov. Phil Bredesen told lawmakers Monday, saying the state must act "decisively and conservatively" to weather its financial crisis. Read More
Bredesen focuses cuts on three areas
The state should cut from TennCare spending, higher education and employees' salaries to respond to its deepening economic downturn, Gov. Phil Bredesen told lawmakers Monday, saying the state must act "decisively and conservatively" to weather its financial crisis. Read More
Montpelier resident, doctor, Richter eyes run for Lt. Gov.
A Washington County doctor known for her efforts in promoting a universal health care system in Vermont said Monday she is considering a run for lieutenant governor this year as a Democrat. Read More
Washington holds mental health summit
Washington state has embarked on a five-year effort to transform the way mentally ill people are diagnosed and treated. The idea is to bring a public health approach to mental health -- that means a focus on prevention. Read More
Budget fix includes borrowing, some cuts, but no hospital tax
Legislative leaders announced a deal Monday to fix a $527 million hole in the state budget by nixing a major tax hike, cutting some spending, increasing borrowing and delaying payments. Read More
Chopper remains grounded, staff gets stress counselling
UW Hospital staff struggles to deal with the loss of their colleagues. Read More
State lawmakers set plan to fix budget
Legislative leaders on Monday announced a budget-repair package they intend to pass over the next two days - a plan Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle said he expects to rework with vetoes when it hits his desk. Read More
Parents turn to states for autism help
(UPDATED 4 p.m. EDT, Thursday May 1) One of the toughest problems facing autism patients, their families and policymakers is paying for treatment. Families are increasingly relying on states to help them cope with the financial, medical and educational needs. Read More
Medicaid: Biggest insurer is a budget buster
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