State Highlights: Health Disparities Viewed Through Various Policies; Insurance Commissioners And Narrow Networks
A selection of health policy stories from Minnesota, Georgia, Washington state, Nebraska, North Carolina, New York and Virginia.
Stateline:
To Attack Health Disparities, States Take a Broader View
For years, proposals to raise the minimum wage in Minnesota bogged down over economic concerns: Would a raise impel businesses to leave the state? Would it decrease employment? Would it touch off inflation? The supporters’ main argument, that raising the minimum wage would put more money into the pockets of low-wage workers and their families, fell short. This year, proponents seized on a new strategy: They convinced the legislature to ask the Minnesota Department of Health to analyze the health impact of the state’s minimum wage of $6.15 an hour, which is among the lowest in the country. (Ollove, 11/21)
Modern Healthcare:
Providers, Advocates Seek Tougher Rules On Network Adequacy
Many health care stakeholders want more muscle from state insurance commissioners' efforts to help states police how health plans assemble and manage their provider networks. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners is circulating a draft model state law addressing increasingly fractious practices. Providers and consumer advocates have generally applauded the effort but plan to press for the document to propose more stringent standards regarding provider directories, out-of-network billing and what constitutes an adequate provider network. (Demko, 11/20)
Georgia Health News:
State Panel Meets Over Ailing Rural Hospitals
Struggling to stay afloat financially, a northwest Georgia rural hospital has opted to file for bankruptcy protection from its creditors. Officials at Hutcheson Medical Center in Fort Oglethorpe said Wednesday evening that the filing would allow it to continue operations, restructure debt, and help protect it from a Chattanooga system’s effort to foreclose on the hospital’s property. (Miller, 11/20)
The Oregonian:
Plan B Contraceptive Sales Violate Religious Beliefs, Washington Pharmacists Argue In Federal Court
A Washington pharmacy was back in federal court in Portland on Thursday fighting to maintain its religious resistance to a state requirement that it dispense emergency contraceptives. (Wang, 11/20)
The Associated Press:
Health Worker, Head Of Firm Indicted On Medical Equipment Fraud
The owner of an Omaha medical equipment company and a southeastern Nebraska mental health professional have been indicted on federal counts of Medicaid fraud. Federal court records show that Clement Akara of Omaha fraudulently billed Medicaid 76 times, illegally receiving nearly $66,000. Court records say Akara, 60, filed claims for nebulizers and other equipment and services never provided. (11/21)
North Carolina Health News:
Working To Reduce Cancer Rates Among NC’s Minorities
Even as North Carolina’s cancer rates have drifted downward in recent years, the state’s rates for the disease are higher than the national averages. And of those cases, there are disproportionate number of cancer cases among the state’s minorities. (Hoban, 11/21)
Modern Healthcare:
Kaiser Expands Clinic Services To Target Stores
Kaiser Permanente is moving into the retail clinic business, teaming up with big-box retailer Target Corp. to open four store-based locations in California that will use telemedicine to go beyond traditional in-store clinic services. Three Kaiser clinics opened this month in San Diego, Vista and Fontana, Calif., and a fourth will open in West Fullerton in December, serving both Kaiser health plan members and non-members. With the addition of the four clinics, Minneapolis-based Target will have 84 clinics in eight states, but the Kaiser-staffed clinics will have expanded capabilities compared to other locations. (Rubenfire, 11/20)
The Associated Press:
N.Y. Medicaid Inspector General Leaving Post
New York's inspector general for Medicaid, the state's largest annual expenditure, says he's leaving. In a message to staff, James Cox says they've done the job he set out to do, establishing 22 audit protocols that led to record recoveries, establishing solid standards and a productive relationship with medical providers. (11/20)
The Washington Post:
For Arlington’s Poor, Medical Care Is The Prize In A Free Clinic’s Lottery
One by one, the winning lottery numbers were called, 20 Arlingtonians who suddenly had a shot at medical care they could not afford anywhere else. More than 90 patients-in-waiting had lined up outside the Arlington Free Clinic for the drawing — whites, blacks, Hispanics and Asians, many with children in tow. All had little money and big medical worries. All waited to see if this was their day. (Sullivan, 11/20)
