Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
State Highlights: In Mo., Mercy Sues Aetna For Not Paying For Some Newborns' Care; Columbus, Ohio, OKs Abortion Buffer-Zone Law
St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Mercy Accuses Aetna Of Failing To Pay Claims For Some Babies, Sues For $4.1 Million
Mercy, the Chesterfield-based Catholic health system, is suing insurance giant Aetna, claiming the company failed to pay the full amount for care provided to certain newborns. The lawsuit, filed by Mercy on Friday in the U.S. District Court in St. Louis, alleges that Aetna is violating its end of a payment agreement that the two have had in place since 2007. (Liss, 6/21)
The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Passes Revised Buffer-Zone Law For Abortion Clinics
Columbus City Council on Monday unanimously passed an amended version of its ordinance to establish a buffer around Planned Parenthood sites, a move that essentially uses a law already in place against disorderly conduct but increases the penalty for violators. Councilwoman Elizabeth Brown had proposed the ordinance as a way to establish a 15-foot buffer around reproductive medical centers and to protect workers and women from aggressive anti-abortion protesters. (Sullivan, 6/20)
The Baltimore Sun: New Accounts Will Help People With Disabilities Save For The Future
A law passed in this year's [Maryland] General Assembly session will allow families and disabled people to set aside up to $14,000 a year — up to $100,000 total — without affecting eligibility for Supplemental Security Income, Medicaid and other government programs. Officials say an estimated 30,000 to 50,000 Marylanders may be eligible to save. (Woods, 6/20)
Atlanta Journal Constitution: Live In Cobb County? This Is How You'll Probably Die
According to Atlanta Regional Commission, Cobb County has metro Altanta's third-lowest mortality rate, falling behind Gwinnett and Forsyth. But there are still some threats to healthy living that residents should look out for. Cobb County's mortality rate is dominated by three main causes: cardiovascular issues, cancer and external causes. (Santos, 6/20)
The Des Moines Register: Iowa Mom: My Son Nearly Died In A Hot Car. Don't Let It Happen To You
Amy Carey's recent Facebook post chronicled how her 3-year-old son, Cason, "almost became 1 of the 40 kids that will die this year from being in a hot car." On average, 37 kids die in sweltering cars each year, according to noheatstroke.org...In her post, Carey explained that she was cleaning in the kitchen on June 15 while her son Cason was "playing 'Minecraft' in his brother's room." Carey is a mom to four boys, between the ages of three and 10. (Ehrler, Haley and Rasheed, 6/20)
The Kansas City Star: Mental Hospital Or School, Job? Fate Of Teens With Mental Illness Rests On Getting Help Early
Headlines tell of a mental health crisis in this country: Not enough funding to help the most vulnerable people. Poorly run and sometimes dangerous state mental institutions. Troubled people committing terrible crimes. Too many people slip past programs that could help; too many end their lives by suicide. (Robertson, 6/21)
Texas Tribune: The Q&A: Elmer Bernstam
Elmer Bernstam is a professor at the School of Biomedical Informatics and McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. He is heading an initiative to facilitate the sharing of medical records among UT System-owned hospitals and clinics. (Conway, 6/20)
The Associated Press: NYC Man Charged With Running $5M Medicaid Fraud Scheme
Authorities say a New York City man made off with $5 million in a Medicaid fraud scheme. Authorities arrested Joseph Wright Monday morning and charged him with grand larceny, health care fraud and insurance fraud. Wright is the CEO of Assistance By Improve II, Inc. (6/21)
Minnesota Public Radio: Minnesota Health Officials Warn About Handling Chicks, Young Poultry
The Minnesota Department of Health has issued a warning about handling baby chicks or other young poultry. Over the past several months there have been nine cases of salmonella in Minnesota linked to handling young birds. Department veterinarian Stacy Holzbauer said even birds that look clean can have enough bacteria on their down, feathers or feet to make a person sick. (Steil, 6/20)
