State Highlights: Conn. Insurance Commissioner’s Recusal Ends Conflict Concerns In Anthem-Cigna Deal; Md. Health Connection Debuts New App

The CT Mirror: Ethics Board Says Wade’s Recusal Makes Anthem-Cigna Conflict Inquiry Moot 
The state’s ethics board Monday ended its examination of whether Insurance Commissioner Katharine L. Wade has a conflict disqualifying her from reviewing the acquisition of Cigna by Anthem, saying Wade’s voluntary recusal last week makes the question moot. The Citizen’s Ethics Advisory Board voted unanimously in a special meeting to drop consideration of a declaratory ruling that would have barred  Wade’s involvement reviewing a deal merging two of the nation’s largest health insurers. (Pazniokas, 9/19)

The Associated Press: Maryland Health Connection Introduces New Mobile App
Marylanders can now enroll in Maryland Health Connection health coverage right from their cellphone or tablet. The Maryland Health Benefit Exchange announced a new mobile app on Monday, ahead of open enrollment. Using the free “Enroll MHC” app, officials say consumers can apply, compare prices and ratings of various plans. They can also log in to view their notices and upload documents for verification using the camera on their devices. (9/19)

Kansas Health Institute: KU Researchers Aim To Improve Health Of Kansans With Disabilities 
University of Kansas researchers plan to use a $1.5 million federal grant to help Kansans with disabilities catch up to their non-disabled peers in several health categories. Jean Hall, director of KU’s Institute for Health and Disability Policy Studies, will lead a team of partners from nonprofit organizations and government agencies to improve physical activity, nutrition and oral health for Kansans with disabilities. Kansas is one of 19 states to get the grants from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Marso, 9/19)

The Associated Press: Oregon Orders Woman Spoon-Fed Despite Advanced Directive
Oregon officials are requiring a nursing facility to spoon-feed a woman despite her making clear that measures should not be taken to prolong her life. When former librarian Nora Harris was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s disease in 2009, she and her husband hired an attorney to create an advance directive, a legal document used to guide medical care in case someone becomes incapacitated. Harris’ advance directive specifically addressed “tube” or intravenous feeding. She is now unable to communicate, and a judge says the facility must help her eat. (9/19)

Georgia Health News: Kidney Transplants: A Lifesaving System With Serious Shortcomings 
More than 5,000 Georgians are currently on that wait list — more than 10 times the number of people in the state waiting for a liver, pancreas, heart or lung combined, according to the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN). A kidney for transplant can come from either a deceased or a living donor (because a person can live with only one kidney). But whatever the source, there simply are too few kidneys to go around. And even if there were enough kidneys available, studies have shown that dialysis centers in the state are lax about recommending patients for the lifesaving surgery. (Beeson, 9/19)

Chicago Tribune: Walgreens Offers Dermatology Consultations Online 
The Deerfield-based drugstore chain announced Monday that it's offering so-called teledermatology services — dermatological consultations done through technology. Customers can create individual profiles on the new skin care section of the chain's website. They can then privately upload photos of their skin conditions, receive answers to medical questions and potentially get diagnoses, prescriptions and/or recommendations for over-the-counter products from board-certified dermatologists, often within 24 hours. (Schencker, 9/19)

Tampa Bay Times: Two On-Campus Students At UF Diagnosed With MRSA 
Two on-campus students at the University of Florida have contracted MRSA, university officials confirmed Monday. Both students live in the apartment-style Beaty Towers, which house 786 students, predominantly freshmen and sophomores. The first student, a Beaty East resident, was diagnosed Sept. 14, said UF spokeswoman Janine Sikes. Students in the residence hall were alerted to the staph infection in Sept. 15 email from housing director Lisa Diekow. The second case, afflicting a Beaty West resident, prompted a similar email there. (McNeill, 9/19)

Oakland Tribune: Oakland: Tuberculosis Case Reported At Skyline High School 
The Alameda County Public Health Department informed Oakland Unified School District that a person at the school was recently diagnosed with tuberculosis disease, said district spokesman John Sasaki. District and school staff are working closely with the health department to investigate the case and identify who may have been exposed to tuberculosis. Those who may have been exposed will be offered free testing and followed up with current public health guidelines. (Cameron, 9/19)

Sacramento Bee: Alice’s Embrace Envelops Alzheimer’s Patients With A Blanket Of Comfort
It’s long been known that tactile textures can ease anxiety for some Alzheimer’s patients. Known as fidget quilts, sensory blankets or “busy blankets,” they’re sold on craft sites such as Etsy and Pinterest. All are designed to keep fidgety fingers busy, and some come with contrasting fabric (i.e. corduroy, fake fur, suede) or attached objects such as buttons, pockets or zippers. Others are weighted to provide a firm presence on a lap or shoulders, based on therapy studies that show heavier blankets – up to 30 pounds – can be a quieting, self-soothing tool for patients with mental health disorders. (Buck, 9/19)

San Francisco Chronicle: Brown Signs Into Law Strict Limits On Super Pollutants
By targeting so-called super pollutants, California set an ambitious new course Monday in its fight against climate change that will have far-reaching impacts on some of the state’s bedrock industries, from freight shipping to dairy farming. Gov. Jerry Brown signed into law what he called the nation’s strictest plan to cut emissions of methane, black carbon and other short-lived pollutants that can trap far more heat than carbon dioxide... Under Senate Bill 1383, California set targets to reduce methane, tropospheric ozone, hydrofluorocarbons and black carbon emissions, giving the state Air Resources Board until Jan. 1, 2018, to determine how those goals will be met. (Gutierrez and Alexander, 9/19)