Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Michigan Expands Medicaid Coverage To Community Health Workers
CBS News: MDHHS Expands Medicaid Coverage To Include Community Health Worker Services
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) expanded Medicaid coverage for Michigan beneficiaries to include community health worker services (CHW), according to a Thursday press release. The new benefit is scheduled to go into effect on Jan. 1, 2024. CHWs are trained public health professionals who address social determinants of health, serving between residents and the health and social resources needed to improve well-being, the press release states. (Dawson, 12/7)
The New York Times: A Famed Hospital Churns Poor Patients Through Weight-Loss Surgery
Bariatric surgery is a major operation that, for the right patients, can ward off heart disease, diabetes and strokes. Bellevue, which serves a disproportionately poor and obese population, says the operations have saved many lives. But a New York Times investigation found that the bariatric program, led by surgeons with financial incentives to perform more operations, has become a high-speed assembly line that has endangered some patients and compromised urgent care for others. And because most of the hospital’s patients are on Medicaid or uninsured, taxpayers foot the bill. (Silver-Greenberg, Kliff and Ortiz, 12/7)
Los Angeles Times: As Budget Deficit Estimate Rises, Newsom Seeks 'Major Changes' To Healthcare Wage Law
With California facing an expected $68-billion budget deficit, Gov. Gavin Newsom is seeking “major reforms” to pull funding from a costly plan next year to begin raising the statewide minimum wage for healthcare workers to $25 an hour. Newsom told The Times last week that his staff has “been working behind the scenes” with Democratic leaders in the Legislature on how to move forward with the minimum wage law in light of state budget concerns. (Luna and Mays, 12/7)
Politico: Legal Weed Takes Effect In Ohio As Lawmakers Scramble To Change Voter-Passed Law
Ohio is officially the 24th state to have legal, adult-use marijuana. Provisions of a voter-approved legalization law took effect at midnight, including legal possession and home cultivation for anyone at least 21 years old. But Ohio lawmakers are rushing to pass legislation to make changes to the initiative. On Wednesday, the Senate passed legislation to alter potency caps, taxation, home cultivation, and social equity and expungement provisions. (Zhang, 12/7)
Minnesota Public Radio: Minneapolis Declares Unsheltered Homelessness Public Health Emergency
The City of Minneapolis has declared unsheltered homelessness a public health emergency. And several council members called on the city to delay the closing of a large encampment scheduled for next week. The city council unanimously passed a resolution with the declaration Thursday afternoon. (12/7)
