Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
North Carolina Health Plan Offers Free Surgeries To State Workers
Charlotte Ledger: A New Perk For State Workers: Free Surgery
What if your health plan offered free surgery, but only by surgeons on its approved list? That’s the incentive behind a new program the North Carolina State Health Plan is rolling out for more than 700,000 teachers, state workers and their families. (Crouch, 3/9)
More health news from across the U.S. —
New Hampshire Public Radio: State Senate Votes Down Bill To Protect Medical Providers Offering Abortions
A bill that would have codified the right to reproductive health care services in New Hampshire — including contraception, abortion and assisted reproduction — was voted down 16-8 by the state Senate on Thursday. (Richardson, 3/6)
The Colorado Sun: Polis Plan To Ban Purchase Of Soda With Food Stamps Stalled By Concerns It Would Shame Low-Income Coloradans
A plan to prohibit Coloradans from using food-assistance benefits to buy soda and sugary fruit juices was stalled Friday by a state board after opponents argued it was an overreach that could harm the dignity and autonomy of low-income families. (Brown, 3/6)
Chicago Tribune: Illinois Orders 21 Communities To Remove Forever Chemicals From Drinking Water By 2029. But Who Will Pay?
But many towns cannot afford the millions of dollars needed to upgrade their water systems with equipment to remove PFAS, and grants are limited. That means ratepayers could end up footing the bill. (Freitag, 3/8)
KFF Health News: Florida Hasn’t Expanded Medicaid. Lawmakers Want To Add Work Requirements Anyway
In states that have long refused to expand Medicaid to more low-income adults, people in the program aren’t subject to new rules under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act requiring them to prove they’re working in order to get and keep coverage. That’s not stopping Florida lawmakers from trying to adopt Medicaid work requirements anyway. It’s the only legislative body in a nonexpansion state to even consider it so far. (Chang, 3/9)
Maryland Matters: Maryland Behavioral Health Advocates Seek Provider Pay Boost
Advocates know Maryland lawmakers are working with a tight budget this year, but worry that another year without rate increases for behavioral health professionals will worsen a 34,000-person workforce shortage and threaten the services that struggling Marylanders need. (Brown, 3/6)
Wyoming Public Radio: Trainings Offer Tools For Wyomingites To Help Support Suicide Prevention
Gov. Mark Gordon recently announced a handful of free trainings this month to help Wyomingites learn how to support people who are struggling with suicidal thoughts. (Habermann, 3/6)
