Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
State Highlights: Direct Primary Care Bill Spurs Conflict Between Gov., Va. Legislature; N.H. AG To Investigate Opioid Marketing
The Associated Press: Virginia Health Care: Pay By The Month, Get Unlimited Visits
In January, Dr. Maura McLaughlin started a new type of primary care practice in central Virginia. Instead of getting payments from insurance companies for each appointment, her patients pay her directly, and get unlimited visits for a fixed monthly fee. McLaughlin has joined a tiny but growing movement of doctors nationally — there are only a handful in Virginia — who have begun to provide subscription-like service to patients, a model known as direct primary care. (Suderman, 5/19)
New Hampshire Public Radio: Attorney General Gets Approval For Firm To Investigate Opioid Marketing In New Hampshire
New Hampshire will spend $100,000 to hire a law firm to investigate whether drug makers have marketed opioids in a deceptive fashion. New Hampshire's Executive Council voted unanimously to allow the Attorney General's office to hire the Washington law firm of Cohen, Milstein, Sellers & Toll. (Rogers, 5/19)
Conn. Health I-Team: Hospitals Cited For Poor Conditions And Inadequate Care
The state has disciplined hospitals for offenses ranging from unclean medical equipment to fungus and mold over the past few years, according to inspection reports collected by the Connecticut Health Investigative Team. The reports — posted in C-HIT’s Data Mine section — show a mix of citations for poor physical conditions and inadequate patient care. C-HIT’s database, based on Department of Public Health records from 2013 through late 2015, includes citations from 2015 issued to six hospitals, including Yale-New Haven Hospital, which was cited for failing to administer medications safely. (Chedekel and Cuda, 5/19)
The Associated Press: Brattleboro Memorial Now In Compliance After Violations
Brattleboro Memorial Hospital officials say they are now in compliance after the Vermont Division of Licensing and Protection found that the facility violated federal regulations. Following an unannounced visit on March 24, DLP officials determined that the hospital failed to "provide sufficient interventions to assure each patient's rights are protected." (5/20)
The Associated Press: 9 Deaths, No Charges Raise Questions About Oversight Agency
Little more than names and incident numbers appear on a Long Island medical examiner's list of nine developmentally disabled people who died in state care since 2013, but this much is known for sure: All the deaths came under a cloud of abuse or neglect allegations, and none resulted in criminal charges. The one-page list titled "Abuse and Neglect with Death Involved" surfaced as part of a Freedom of Information request by an advocate who called it only the latest example of how New York's oversight agency for the disabled in state care, the Justice Center, is not doing enough to pursue suspicious cases. (5/19)
The Tampa Bay Times: Rick Scott Makes It Official: Celeste Philip Named Florida Surgeon General
Dr. Celeste Philip, who has been acting surgeon general since March, was on Wednesday appointed to the permanent job running the Florida Department of Health. Gov. Rick Scott first named Philip as the temporary replacement for Dr. John Armstrong, who the Senate refused to confirm for the job. (Auslen, 5/18)
KQED: Law Allows Women to Obtain Birth Control Without Prescription, But Few Pharmacies Offer Service
It’s been more than 18 months since California’s governor signed a law allowing pharmacists to distribute birth control without a prescription. Now, legally, women can simply walk into their local pharmacy and pick up contraceptive pills, the patch or the ring — much like getting a flu shot or buying over-the-counter medication. But good luck finding a pharmacy that will actually do it. (O'Mara, 5/19)
New Hampshire Public Radio: State Aims To Integrate Mental Health Care For Children
The state plans to streamline its mental health and substance abuse programs for children. A number of states, including Maine and Massachusetts, have turned to a so-called "system of care" model for young people with mental health issues in recent years. (Carlson, 5/18)
The Associated Press: Plan Calls For Improving Oral Health In Michigan By ‘20
State officials and others are backing a plan to boost the number of dentists in Michigan and encourage their collaboration with other health care providers to give residents better access to dental care. The 2020 Michigan State Oral Health plan was unveiled Wednesday. Supporters say poor oral health is linked to an increased risk for cardiovascular and other chronic diseases, and can be especially serious for pregnant women and their children. (5/19)
The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel: City Reports Three Confirmed Case Of Mumps
Three city residents have confirmed cases of mumps, the Milwaukee Health Department announced Thursday. Mumps is a contagious respiratory illness that can be transmitted by coughing, sneezing or by coming in contact with contaminated food, beverage and utensils. (Stephenson, 5/19)
The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel: Medical College Seeks To Boost Northwoods Psychiatrists
The Medical College of Wisconsin has moved to lessen one of the state's most severe physician shortages: the lack of psychiatrists in northern Wisconsin. The medical school announced last week that it had received initial accreditation for residency programs in northeastern and north-central Wisconsin for seven psychiatrists. (Boulton, 5/19)
The Santa Fe New Mexican: State Opts Not To Renew Corizon Contract
Corizon Correctional Healthcare, which provides medical services to some 7,000 New Mexico prison inmates, notified employees this week that the company won’t get another four-year contract from the state Corrections Department. Instead, state officials selected St. Louis-based Centurion LLC to provide medical care to prisoners, The New Mexican has learned. (Horwath, 5/19)
The Orlando Sentinel: Nemours, Andrews Institute Become Official USTA Medical Providers In Lake Nona
Nemours Children's Health System and an internationally recognized orthopedic institute will be the official medical providers of the United States Tennis Association's campus in Lake Nona, they announced on Thursday. Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, located in Gulf Breeze, and Nemours will provide the USTA with a team physician, sports nutritionists and athletic trainers year-round. (Miller, 5/19)
