Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Judge OKs Florida's Ban On Medicaid Coverage For Gender Care
The 19th: Judge Upholds Florida’s Ban On Medicaid Coverage For Gender-Affirming Care
U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle on Wednesday upheld Florida’s rule preventing Medicaid coverage of gender-affirming care for patients of all ages, denying the preliminary injunction sought by the transgender people affected by the policy. (Rummler, 10/12)
Houston Chronicle: Loophole Blocks Crucial Services For Disabled Texans
Texans receiving Medicaid waiver program services must have their budgets renewed each year by the state. Texas law says that even if an individual's care plan expires before HHSC authorizes the renewal, they must continue to receive services “to ensure continuity of care and prevent the individual's health and welfare from being jeopardized.” (Stuckey, 10/12)
PBS NewsHour: Poll: About Half Of South Dakota Voters Want Medicaid Expansion, But Many Remain Undecided
Roughly half – 54 percent – of registered voters in South Dakota support Medicaid expansion less than a month before the public decides the midterm referendum, according to final results from the SDSU Poll. (Santhanam, 10/13)
In Medicare news —
Axios: Home Health Patients, Advocates Sue Becerra
Three disabled Medicare beneficiaries and two organizations are suing Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, alleging he restricted the availability of home health services for individuals who need aides for short periods of time. (Dreher, 10/12)
AP: How To Change Medicare Plans — And Why You Might Want To
Medicare open enrollment starts soon, but 7 in 10 Medicare beneficiaries say they don’t compare Medicare plans during this period, according to a 2021 analysis by KFF, a health policy nonprofit. That’s not great, since Medicare Advantage plans — which operate much like the private insurance you may have had through an employer — change from year to year. One of your doctors may have fallen out of network or your prescription drug prices may have gone up. And people with Original Medicare should compare their Part D prescription drug coverage. Here’s how to approach switching Medicare plans. (Ashford, 10/12)
Fierce Healthcare: Employers Seek To Cut Costs Of Retiree Health Plans: Study
Employers want alternative ways to provide medical benefits to their retirees over the next three years, with some looking to replace their traditional group plans for pre-Medicare and Medicare-eligible retirees with individual insurance coverage through private marketplaces, according to a survey by Willis Towers Watson. (Diamond, 10/12)
