Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Georgia Falls Behind On Updating Medicaid Report
Georgia Health News: State Is Years Behind In Reporting On Medicaid Program Quality
Federal law requires states to update their plans for improving Medicaid health care quality at least every three years. Georgia, however, published its most recent quality plan in February 2016. It’s at least two years out of date. (Grapevine, 2/2)
AP: Missouri GOP Proposal Would Shield Pre-Existing Conditions
Several Republican Missouri lawmakers on Tuesday filed legislation to ensure people with pre-existing conditions can access health insurance if the Affordable Care Act is undone. The proposals would amend the state Constitution to require that health insurance companies cover people with pre-existing medical conditions without charging them more. (2/3)
New Orleans Times-Picayune: As Fatal Overdoses Surge In Jefferson Parish, Deadly New Fentanyl Variants Emerge
Drug overdose deaths in Jefferson Parish climbed by at least 50% last year, and authorities now report the emergence of two new, deadlier variants of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that already has a lethal reputation when abused. The Jefferson Parish Coroner's Office has recorded 233 overdose deaths in 2020, up 50% from 2019, according to Coroner Gerry Cvitanovich. And the final number is expected to rise as investigators complete toxicology testing for about 20 outstanding cases from last year. Of those 233 deaths, 160 cases involved fentanyl, a pain-management drug that is more potent than heroin and 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine. (Hunter, 2/2)
AP: Farmers Sue State Over COVID-19 Rules For Migrant Workers
Two farm groups are suing the state of Washington for failing to revise emergency regulations that seek to protect migrant farmworkers from the COVID-19 virus. The groups filed the lawsuit Tuesday in Yakima County Superior Court. It seeks to invalidate the recently renewed rules as arbitrary, capricious and not feasible. “We’re disappointed we had to take this step, but our farms are on the line and we had no other choice,” said John Stuhlmiller, chief executive officer of the Washington Farm Bureau. (Geranios, 2/2)
