Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
State Highlights: Illinois High Court To Consider State Employee Retiree Health Benefits; In Iowa, Families Press For Vaccine Exemptions
The Chicago Sun-Times: Retirees Urge Illinois Supreme Court To Save Health Care Subsidy
More than 22,000 retired city workers want the Illinois Supreme Court — which decided a similar case in favor of state employees — to overturn Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s plan to save $130 million a year by completing a three-year phase-out of the city’s 55-percent subsidy for retiree health care. (Spielman, 4/19)
The Des Moines Register: More Polk County Families Seek Vaccination Exemptions
More Des Moines-area families are claiming religious exemptions to vaccinations this school year, even though no major organized religion forbids the shots. (Leys, 4/19)
The Des Moines Register: Sides Deepen In Iowa's Death-With-Dignity Battle
In a downtown library in Council Bluffs, Iowa Right to Life director Jenifer Bowen says efforts underway in Iowa are one step toward widespread euthanasia of society's weak. (Clayworth and Munson, 4/19)
St. Louis Public Radio: Missouri Supreme Court Upholds Caps On Wrongful Death Damages
The Missouri Supreme Court has upheld a lower court ruling that allows caps on some damages in wrongful death lawsuits. Shannon Dodson died five years ago at Mercy Medical Center in St. Louis County after an artery was punctured during a heart catheter test. Her family received nearly $11 million in damages, including $9 million in non-economic damages. (Griffin, 4/19)
The Columbus Dispatch: Questions Fill Ohio House Committee’s First Hearing On Medical Marijuana Bill
The House Select Committee on Medical Marijuana kicked off its initial hearing Tuesday with plenty of questions about a bill that seeks to create a strictly regulated system in Ohio. (Siegel, 4/20)
The Baltimore Sun: VA Clinic Closes At Fort Howard
The Department of Veterans Affairs has closed its medical clinic at Fort Howard in eastern Baltimore County, a property that is proposed for redevelopment. (Wood, 4/19)
The Philadelphia Inquirer: Noble Health Alliance Disbanding
Noble Health Alliance, organized 2013 by Abington Health, Aria Health, Crozer-Keystone Health System and Einstein Healthcare Network, will disband in June, after three of the founding members entered into mergers or sales, the Fort Washington group said Tuesday. (Brubaker, 4/19)
The Sun Sentinel: Bugged By Zika Spraying? County Programs May Be Able To Help
On high alert due to the Zika virus, South Florida mosquito control officials are ramping up their insecticide spraying programs as the wet summer months — prime time for insect breeding — roll in. While that may be a good way to control bad bugs, what happens if you have medical conditions or allergies aggravated by these chemicals? (Lade, 4/19)
