Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Long-Term Mental Health Impact Of Pandemic 'Grief' Highlighted
The Washington Post: ‘Pandemic Grief’ Proves Especially Devastating And Complex For Many In Mourning, Health Experts Say
Even though vaccines have changed the trajectory of the coronavirus pandemic, a death toll approaching more than 550,000 has cast a long, dark shadow over all Americans. The months ahead will require us to carry an intense and a pervasive grief that is more acute and complicated than grief after death from other natural causes. Recent research suggests that the full effect of this onslaught will not be known for some time. We will feel it with each empty chair at the table, a holiday with one less present to wrap or a birthday without the guest of honor. (Alter, 3/28)
AP: Did COVID-19 Stress, Uncertainty Stall Anti-Smoking Push?
Researchers are already concerned about COVID-19′s impact on cancer screenings and opioid overdoses as many Americans were cut off from routine care and examinations. But services to help smokers quit -- delivered via phone and online -- would seem well-positioned to withstand the disruptions of the pandemic. The programs help with devising a plan and often provide free nicotine gums and patches. Yet, calls to states routed through a national hotline fell 27% last year to about 500,000 — the biggest drop in a decade, according to the North American Quitline Consortium. In a recent report, the coalition of anti-smoking counselors cited the pandemic and the drop in public awareness messaging. (Perrone, 3/28)
In heath industry developments related to mental health —
Stat: Inside The Battle Over Talkspace And A Grand Experiment In Mental Health
Late last year, Reno, Nev., Mayor Hillary Schieve proposed a novel idea to try to meet the mental health needs of her community: The city would spend $1.3 million of expiring coronavirus relief funding on virtual therapy through the app Talkspace. With the exception of young children, every resident would have free access. (Aguilar, 3/29)
Modern Healthcare: Magellan Can't Be Sued Over Mental Health Denials
A federal judge ruled on Wednesday that Illinois state employees can't sue Magellan Health for denying them coverage for their children's behavioral health services. The employees had alleged that Illinois' state-sponsored, self-funded health plan improperly denied their children coverage for serious mental health conditions that required residential treatment. Their lawsuit, filed in July 2020, sought class action status. Magellan Health had rejected the claims using Milliman Care Guidelines, which the employees alleged conflict with generally accepted standards of care. But U.S. District Court Judge Manish Shah in Chicago ruled the employees couldn't claim the insurer or the state's health administrators had violated their constitutional rights or sue under mental health parity laws. (Brady, 3/26)
