Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
California Boy Dies From Rare Brain Amoeba After Lake Swim
AP: Boy Dies From Brain-Eating Amoeba In California
A child infected with an extremely rare brain-eating amoeba while swimming in a Northern California lake died in a hospital, his family confirmed Friday. David Pruitt, 7, of Tehama County, died from primary amoebic meningoencephalitis, or PAM, on Aug. 7, said his aunt, Crystal Hayley. The boy was rushed to the emergency room on July 30 and then flown to UC Davis Medical Center where he was on life support with severe brain swelling, Hayley said in a fundraising site she created for the family to raise funds for his care and funeral. (8/13)
In other news from Georgia, Indiana and Mississippi —
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: No Health Insurance Increase Next Year For 650K Georgia Teachers, State Workers, Retirees
For the third time in four years, hundreds of thousands of Georgia teachers and state workers won’t see their health insurance premiums increase. The Department of Community Health board approved rates for 2022 on Thursday for the more 650,000 Georgians covered by the State Health Benefit Plan. The vote came a year after the board raised premiums an average of 5% for teachers and state employees. (Salzer, 8/12)
AP: Man Raffling Rare Bourbon For Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
An Indiana man with a collection of rare bourbon is teaming up with the Kentucky Derby Museum to raffle it off in an effort to raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The collection consist of five limited-edition bottles of Pappy Van Winkle bourbon, which are valued at $18,250, the Kentucky Derby Museum said in a statement. The winner of the raffle will also receive a VIP Kentucky Derby Museum experience and a one-night stay at Hotel Distil. (8/16)
AP: Vicksburg Hires Collection Firm: $1.8M In Ambulance Bills
A city in Mississippi has hired a firm to collect more than $1.8 million in ambulance bills unpaid since as early as 2013. The Vicksburg Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted Tuesday to retain Franklin Collection Services Inc. of Tupelo to reduce or eliminate the backlog, The Vicksburg Post reported. The city’s fire department has run emergency medical service in Vicksburg since 1969, because the local ambulance company went out of business. It also sends ambulances to Warren County residents under an agreement with the county’s board of supervisors. (8/15)
