Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Requests For Medical Aid-In-Dying Rise In Colorado
Colorado Sun: More Colorado Patients Are Seeking Medical Aid-In-Dying Medication
The number of Coloradans who received prescriptions to end their lives has increased each year since voters passed an aid-in-dying law in 2016, rising 18% in 2021. Last year, 222 people obtained prescriptions for the lethal doses of medication, which they must ingest themselves after getting approval from two physicians who certify that they have a terminal illness and fewer than six months to live. That brings to 777 the five-year total prescriptions since the End-of-Life Options Act was passed, according to a recently completed report on the law by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. (Brown, 3/31)
In other health news from across the U.S. —
AP: WVa Governor Vetoes Health Department Split, Seeks Review
West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice vetoed a bill Wednesday that would have split the massive Department of Health and Human Resources into separate agencies, saying he first wants a review of its “issues, bottlenecks, and inefficiencies.” “I am committed to making the DHHR better, but we cannot afford to play politics when people’s lives hang in the balance,” Justice said in a statement. “We need to be certain before we act.” (Raby, 3/30)
AP: Walz Signs ALS Bill By Senator With The Disease
Gov. Tim Walz signed a $25 million bill to fund research into ALS that was authored by a veteran state senator from the Iron Range who has the neurological disease. Sen. David Tomassoni, 69, of Chisholm, took up the cause after disclosing last year that he had ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. His case has progressed rapidly, forcing him to participate in most Senate business remotely this session. Tomassoni said through a computerized speech synthesizer that the Democratic governor and legislative leaders from both parties told him after his diagnosis that they would support whatever he wanted for funding. (Karnowski, 3/30)
The CT Mirror: Lawmakers Not Giving Up On Bill To Expand Medicaid To Undocumented Kids
Advocates who had hoped to see another expansion of Medicaid coverage this year for children regardless of their immigration status are now calling for the proposal to be included in the state budget implementer, following a surprising defeat of the bill in committee. Last year, lawmakers approved an expansion of Medicaid, known as HUSKY in Connecticut, that allowed children 8 and younger, regardless of their immigration status, to qualify for the program beginning on Jan. 1, 2023. Children must come from households earning up to 323% of the federal poverty level to be eligible for coverage. (Carlesso and Golvala, 3/30)
Georgia Health News: State Legislators Reach Agreement, Pass Landmark Mental Health Legislation
The state Senate unanimously approved landmark legislation Wednesday that aims to improve services for Georgians who have mental health and addiction problems. The Senate version of House Bill 1013 closely mirrored major provisions originally contained in the legislation, sponsored by House Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge), who took an unusually strong personal role in advocating for the overhaul. Ralston, hearing of the Senate vote, reacted emotionally in telling his chamber of the outcome. (Miller and Grapevine, 3/30)
AP: Patient Assault Draws New Probe Of Montana Psych Hospital
Federal investigators visited Montana’s state psychiatric hospital for an inspection following an assault that reportedly left a patient with severe injuries. The inspection by officials from the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services was reported by the Montana State News Bureau. It comes amid staffing shortages and other problems that resulted in patient deaths and have put the hospital in Warm Springs in jeopardy of losing its federal reimbursement. The female victim of last week’s assault by another patient was life-flighted to a Missoula hospital, the news outlet reported. (3/30)
Oklahoman: Oklahoma Latest State To Ban Transgender Athletes From Female Sports
Levi Gladd has never competed against a transgender athlete, but the University of Oklahoma track runner said the concept is widely discussed on campus. “Being in college athletics, it’s a pretty talked about topic, just with the swimmer that’s come out,” said Gladd, referring to Lia Thomas, the University of Pennsylvania athlete who recently became the first transgender woman to win an NCAA swimming competition. “I believe all young women deserve the opportunity to excel at whatever sport they choose to be passionate about and I don’t think it should be taken away from them, especially for biological reasons that they can’t overcome.” (Felder, 3/30)
KHN: Tennessee Offers To Expand Dental Schools As Medicaid Coverage Stretches Need
More than 600,000 additional Medicaid patients in Tennessee may soon be covered with comprehensive dental benefits under a proposal by Republican Gov. Bill Lee. But the state, one of the last to extend dental coverage to adults, is also trying to make sure those Medicaid enrollees can find dentists willing to treat them. Along with $75 million to extend Medicaid dental benefits to adults, Tennessee is considering $94 million to help its two dental schools expand. About a third of the money would help pay off the student loans of graduates who agree to work in high-need areas, with the idea that they would treat more Medicaid patients. (Farmer, 3/31)
