Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
State Highlights: Iowa Takes Feds To Court Over Co-Op Liquidation; Mass. Assigns Onsite Monitor For Psychiatric Hospitals
The Des Moines Register: State Regulator Sues HHS Over CoOportunity Liquidation
Iowa’s insurance regulator has taken the federal government to court regarding the liquidation of insurance company CoOportunity Health. Insurance Commissioner Nick Gerhart filed a suit Tuesday against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. At issue is whether a local order for CoOportunity's liquidation applies to the federal agencies. (Patane, 5/4)
The Boston Globe: State Assigns Monitor To Oversee Hospitals
Surprise inspections at four Massachusetts psychiatric hospitals found such prevalent patient care problems that state officials have taken the unusual step of sending in an onsite monitor to oversee improvements. (Kowalczyk, 5/5)
The Charlotte Observer: NC Insurance Commissioner: Blue Cross Likely To Be Fined ‘Millions’ For IT Woes
N.C. Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin said Wednesday he expects to issue a fine against Blue Cross and Blue Shield “in the millions of dollars” for ongoing technology problems that have botched coverage, billing and payments for thousands of customers and doctors in the past four months. The unprecedented fine would culminate a trail of mishaps that resulted in the resignations of two Blue Cross executives so far in one of the most challenging periods in the Chapel Hill insurer’s history. Goodwin noted that the nationwide computer failure that prevented enrollments in the Affordable Care Act was repaired in about two months, while Blue Cross’ technology problems in North Carolina have dragged on twice as long. (Murawski, 5/4)
St. Louis Post-Dispatch: St. Louis Health Clinic Awarded Slice Of $260 Million From HHS For Improvements
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded $260 million in funding to health clinics across the country including here in St. Louis. Myrtle Hilliard Davis Comprehensive Health Centers Inc. was awarded $998,470 for facility renovation, expansion, or construction, HHS announced Wednesday. (Liss, 5/4)
The Chicago Tribune: Cancer Treatment Centers Of America Lays Off 81 In Zion
Cancer Treatment Centers of America has laid off 81 employees at its medical center in north suburban Zion, a company spokeswoman confirmed Wednesday. (Sachdev, 5/4)
The Sacramento Bee: California Fines Anthem $415,000 For Not Addressing Consumer Complaints
In another rebuke by state health officials, Anthem Blue Cross has been fined $415,000 for failing to promptly or completely answer consumer complaints, according to the California Department of Managed Health Care. (Buck, 5/4)
Kaiser Health News: Aid-In-Dying: Not So Easy
Starting June 9, terminally ill Californians with six months or less to live can request a doctor’s prescription for medications intended to end their lives peacefully. If that sounds simple, it won’t be. California’s End of Life Option Act creates a long list of administrative hurdles that both patients and their doctors must clear. (Bazar, 5/5)
The Baltimore Sun: Schuh Seeks Private Options For School Nurse Program
County Executive Steve Schuh's administration is considering options to shift management of more than 300 public school nurses from the county Department of Health to a private company or hospital. (Huang, 5/4)
The Kansas Health Institute News Service: Lots Of Data, Little Agreement On Nursing Home Quality
Margaret Farley’s father fell within five days of entering a Kansas nursing home. He died within seven days of surgery to treat his injuries. Falls like his, Farley said, are one of the biggest dangers that nursing home residents face. They occur when there aren’t enough staff members to care for residents, and they can result in costly, dangerous injuries. (Kite, 5/4)
