Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
State Highlights: L.A. OKs Pact To Boost Nursing Home Inspections; Mass. AG Focuses On Barriers To Mental Health Care
Los Angeles Times: L.A. County Approves New Pact For Troubled Nursing Home Inspection Program
Amid criticism of past oversight efforts, Los Angeles County supervisors approved a new contract Tuesday that redefines state and local responsibilities for inspecting nursing homes and other health facilities and investigating complaints of abuse, neglect or inadequate care of patients. The new contract will give the county more money and scale back its duties. Los Angeles County is the only local government in the state that is contracted to inspect health facilities. Elsewhere, the state handles licensing duties and investigates complaints. (Sewell, 6/30)
WBUR: Mass. AG Shifts Health Care Costs Conversation To Behavioral Health
If you or someone you are close to has ever tried to get more than a doctor’s appointment for deep depression, alcoholism or a drug addiction, you already know that figuring out where to get care and who will help cover the cost is messy. Now that struggle is spelled out in the first health care cost trends report from Attorney General Maura Healey. (Bebinger, 6/30)
The Boston Globe: Small Health Insurers Decry ‘Risk Adjustment’ Payments
The winners and losers have been announced in a federally mandated program that will redistribute $61 million among the state’s health insurers. The big winner, as expected, is Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, the state’s largest insurer, which stands to rake in $51.6 million in payments from smaller rivals. (Freyer, 7/1)
North Carolina Health News: Federal Grant Will Help Thousands Recover From Substance Abuse
More than 4,000 people who are working to recovery from substance abuse disorders will have some extra help, thanks to a $7.8 million federal grant that’s coming to North Carolina. The Department of Health and Human Services announced late Monday that the grant, from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, will be targeted at helping people get sober and back on their feet. (Hoban, 6/30)
New Hampshire Union Leader: North Country Hospitals Link Up
The CEOs of four small, rural hospitals announced an agreement Tuesday to form a nonprofit organization known as North Country Healthcare. It all began a year ago in July, when CEOs Russell Keene of Androscoggin Valley Hospital, Warren West of Littleton Regional Healthcare, Peter Gosline of Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital and Scott Howe of Weeks Medical Center gathered at the Omni Mount Washington Hotel, where each said the best way for all to survive was to unite. (Koziol, 6/30)
The Nashville Tennessean: Lifetime Health Benefits For Council Targeted Again
With time running out before a new Metro Council is elected, a generous but controversial perk for council members is under fire again. Metro Councilman Phil Claiborne, term-limited from his Donelson-area seat, has revived legislation that would reduce Metro government’s financial obligation in covering lifetime health insurance for former two-term council members. (Garrison, 6/30)
