Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
State Highlights: Ga. Insurance Regulators See Downside To Proposed Mega-Mergers; Mass. Shores Up Ranks Of Nursing Home Inspectors
Georgia Health News: State Document Hints At Downside To Insurance Mergers In Georgia
Two pending mega-mergers, if approved, would tighten an already compressed health insurance market in Georgia, a state insurance department document suggests. The combination of Aetna and Humana would have the greater impact of the two deals, according to a letter that a state insurance official wrote to a law firm. (Miller, 4/13)
The Boston Globe: State Hires 19 New Nursing Home Inspectors
The state’s public health commissioner announced Wednesday that she is shoring up the beleaguered ranks of nursing home inspectors, having hired 19 newcomers since July and actively pursuing 10 more, amid concerns about serious gaps in state oversight. (Lazar, 4/13)
The Sacramento Bee: Abortion Rights Foes Want Kamala Harris To Resign
Anti-abortion groups on Wednesday rallied outside Attorney General Kamala Harris’ office to call for her resignation – a week after her agents seized equipment from the apartment of activist and citizen journalist David Daleiden. (Cadelago, 4/13)
New Hampshire Public Radio: Federal Funding Helps Revive N.H.'s Medical-Legal Partnership
People living in poverty are often at greater risk for serious health problems. And for many, legal problems can be a contributing factor to those medical issues. (Brindley, 4/14)
The Orlando Sentinel: Community Health Centers Opens New Clinic In Orlando
Community Health Centers has opened a 16,000-square-foot facility near Maitland Blvd. to replace its two older and smaller clinics at Eatonville and Rosemont. (Miller, 4/14)
The Philadelphia Inquirer: After Most Recent Suicide, Penn Students Demand Action
During a moment of silence late Wednesday afternoon on the University of Pennsylvania campus green, some of the dozens gathered there held posters that read, "You Are Not Alone," and, "This Is a Safe Space." On Tuesday, students published a change.org petition outlining six steps the university is asked to take to address mental illness on campus, including easing the process for withdrawing from classes, requiring mental health training for residential advisers, and increasing resources for counseling services. (Castellano, 4/13)
Health News Florida: After Son's Arrest, Proctor Asks For Help In Addressing Mental Health, Substance Abuse
Leon County Commissioner Bill Proctor is pushing for an assessment of available resources in Leon County to address mental health and substance abuse. The move comes after Proctor’s son was arrested this past weekend on drug charges. Commissioner Proctor says his son’s recent arrest is a catalyst for him to speak about mental health. (Hatter, 4/13)
The Cleveland Plain Dealer: When You Treat Violence As A Health Problem, Kids And Communities Heal, Experts Say
For decades, emergency staff in the nation's urban hospitals have acknowledged a sad fact about the violently injured kids, teens and young men they treat: If their patients survive to leave the hospital, they'll likely be back. (Zeltner, 4/13)
The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel: Illinois Death Tied To Wisconsin Bacteria Outbreak
A death in Illinois has been tied to the Elizabethkingia bacteria outbreak that started in Wisconsin and has left state and federal health officials searching for the source of the issue. The Illinois case, reported Tuesday, involves the same strain of the bacteria, Elizabethkingia anophelis. No other details were provided. Last month, officials said a death in Michigan was tied to the outbreak. (Rutledge, 4/13)
News Service Of Florida: Judge Turns Down Challenge To Prison Health Contract
An administrative law judge has rejected a challenge to a Florida Department of Corrections decision to award a $268 million contract for health services at the majority of the state's prisons. (4/13)
St. Louis Public Radio: Combatting Infant Mortality In St. Louis — A Discussion With Nurses For Newborns
Nurses for Newborns is a local organization that seeks to improve the outcome of infants in at-risk families. Since the organization was founded over 20 years ago, the nurses have helped over 100,000 families raise healthy babies. At any given moment, the nurses are helping over 1,000 babies under the age of two and their families. (Moffitt, 4/13)
The Chicago Sun-Times: Suit: State Workers Claim Insurance Denied, Blame Lack Of Budget
A state employee filed a class-action lawsuit against Gov. Bruce Rauner and several other high-ranking state officials Wednesday, alleging the state’s budget impasse has effectively left some state employees without health insurance. (Charles, 4/14)
The Chicago Tribune: Proposed Ordinance Would Mandate Five Paid Sick Days A Year In Chicago
Calling access to paid sick leave "just a baseline of decency," Ald. Ameya Pawar joined like-minded lawmakers and advocates Wednesday in announcing a proposed ordinance that would require almost all Chicago employers to let their workers earn at least five sick days a year. (Elejalde-Ruiz, 4/13)
The Lincoln Star Journal: Haze From Kansas Fires Spurs Health Advisory
The prescribed prairie fires that mark Kansas’ smoky rite of spring continued to wreak havoc on Lincoln’s air Wednesday. The haze initially prompted public health concerns Tuesday evening. Lincoln Public Schools officials -- who upon the advice of Lincoln-Lancaster County health officials and district health staff kept students inside Wednesday -- said they were comfortable with the decision even though the haze was mostly gone by afternoon. (Roberts, 4/14)
