Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
State Highlights: Hawaii Struggles On State Retiree Health Benefits; Calif. Children's Dental Care Falls Short
The Associated Press: Hawaii Takes Small Steps On $20B Retiree Liability
Hawaii is taking small steps toward paying off its $20 billion unfunded liability for retiree pensions and health benefits. Actuaries say the state has $8.6 billion less than it should have to pay its pension obligations to current and future retirees. But its preparation to pay retiree health care benefits is worse. Hawaii's state and county employees have just 2 percent of projected retiree health care expenses set aside. The shortfall for retiree health benefits in Hawaii stands at $11.2 billion, according to an analysis by Gabriel, Roeder Smith and Co., an actuarial consulting firm. (Bussewitz, 12/11)
Sacramento Bee: California Faulted For Poor Access To Children’s Dental Care
More than half of the 5.1 million children enrolled in California’s health care program for low-income residents did not receive dental care last year, and some counties may lack the providers to meet patients’ dental needs, according to a Bureau of State Audits review released Thursday. (Cadelago, 12/11)
The Philadelphia Inquirer: Phila. School District Takes Case On Increasing Teacher Portion Of Health Care Costs In Court
With much at stake, lawyers for the School Reform Commission on Wednesday asked a panel of five Commonwealth Court judges to affirm their power to cancel the Philadelphia School District teachers' contract. The SRC wants to make teachers begin paying a portion of their health-care costs, a move it said would save $54 million annually. Those savings would be sent directly to cash-strapped schools, officials said. Teachers would pay from $72 to $700 a month depending on their salary, the plan they choose, and their family status. (Graham, 12/11)
Georgia Health News: Most In State Health Plan Pick Blue Cross
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia will remain the dominant insurer for the state’s high-profile employee health plan. More than 80 percent of State Health Benefit Plan members selected insurance plans from Blue Cross during its recent open enrollment, a state agency said Thursday. (Miller, 12/11)
The Texas Tribune: Future Of CHIP Funding Looms Over State Budget
Few doubt that Congress will eventually reauthorize funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program before it runs out next year. But when, and on what terms, are questions that promise to inject uncertainty as state lawmakers construct a two-year budget in the next few months. Advocacy groups for children, and Gov. Rick Perry, had hoped Congress would get the job done by now. It hasn't, apparently leaving the task to a new set of federal lawmakers. (Ura, 12/11)
Connecticut Mirror: Tenet Ends Bid To Acquire Five Connecticut Hospitals
Tenet Healthcare Corporation notified state regulators Thursday it was withdrawing its applications to buy five hospitals in Connecticut, ending a two-year effort by a national for-profit hospital chain to enter the changing Connecticut market. (Pazniokas, 12/11)
St. Louis Public Radio: St. Louis Hospital Move May Leave Vulnerable Patients In Pinch
As soon as next week, St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Belleville could receive word from a state regulatory board on whether its proposal to shutter its current location and build a new hospital 17 minutes away will be permitted. Public health officials say the move could leave some of St. Clair County’s most vulnerable residents without a hospital nearby. But St. Elizabeth’s, which is part of the Hospital Sisters Health System, contends the $288 million project would allow for necessary updates and would be more accessible to most of its patients. (Bouscaren, 12/11)
The Associated Press: Citing Costs, 2 Abortion Clinics Drop La. 30-mile Admitting Hospital Privilege Lawsuit
Abortion clinics in Baton Rouge and New Orleans have dropped their challenge to Louisiana's newest abortion law. An earlier lawsuit filed by clinics in Metairie, Shreveport and Bossier City remains intact. The law requires doctors who perform abortions to be able to admit patients to a hospital within 30 miles. Attorney Ellie Schilling said earlier that cost was the only reason that Delta Clinic of Baton Rouge, Women's Health Care Center in New Orleans and a doctor at each decided to drop their suit. (12/11)
The Associated Press: Govt. Has No Obligation To Give Care Via State Docs, Court Rules
The government has no constitutional obligation to provide health care to patients in state doctors' care, a state appeals court ruled Thursday. Disability Rights Wisconsin filed a lawsuit in May 2009 against five University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics doctors, claiming they violated the rights of two developmentally disabled patients by withholding medical treatment. One, a minor who had pneumonia and required artificial nutrition and hydration, died. The doctors were acting on guidance by parents or legal guardians who directed them to discontinue care. (Antlfinger, 12/11)
The Kansas Health Institute News Service: ACA Plays Role In Kansas Budget Fix
When Gov. Sam Brownback announced this week a list of stopgap measures to close a $280 million budget hole, one of the biggest chunks was $55 million from a "Kansas Department of Health and Environment Fee Fund Sweep" made possible in part by a federal law the governor has strenuously opposed and criticized. The $55 million comes from a Medicaid drug rebate program that was expanded as part of the federal Affordable Care Act. The health reform act, commonly known as Obamacare, increased the refunds that pharmaceutical companies must pay states for prescriptions provided to Medicaid patients and allowed states to collect rebates for Medicaid prescriptions administered by managed care organizations. (Marso, 12/11)
The Associated Press: In Newtown, Mental Health Needs Persist 2 Years After School Shooting
Anxiety, depression, guilt, sleeplessness, marital strife, drug and alcohol abuse — two years after the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School, the scope of the psychological damage to children, parents and others is becoming clear, and the need for treatment is likely to persist. "Here it is two years later, and it's still hard to deal with. But God, you didn't want to know me two years ago," said Beth Hegarty, a Sandy Hook mother who happened to be inside the school that day with her three daughters, all of whom survived. (12/11)
The Washington Post: Two Area Hospitals Treating Patients At Risk For Ebola
Two Washington-area hospitals said on Thursday that they are treating patients at risk for Ebola. The National Institutes of Health said Thursday it had admitted an American nurse who was exposed to the Ebola virus while volunteering in Sierra Leone. Washington Hospital Center also said that it admitted a patient who showed symptoms of the disease. (Zauzmer and Hedgpeth, 12/11)
