State Highlights: Lawyers Claim Arizona Dragging Feet On Health Care Quality Improvements In Prisons
News outlets report on health issues in Arizona, Massachusetts, Michigan, Illinois, Ohio and Texas.
The Associated Press:
Lawyers: Arizona Isn't Improving Health Care For Prisoners
Attorneys who won a settlement in a class-action lawsuit over the quality of health care in Arizona's prisons say the state is dragging its feet in carrying out the improvements it promised when it agreed to resolve the case. The lawyers contend health care in the state's prisons hasn't improved since the October 2014 settlement, saying Arizona has dramatically inflated its compliance figures and failed to carry out many requirements called for by the agreement. (Billeaud, 3/1)
WBUR:
The Opioid Treatment Business Is Booming
Ray Tamasi, the president and CEO of Gosnold on Cape Cod, has been working in addiction treatment for more than four decades. But he’s never seen anything like what he’s seeing now: private equity investors lining up to get into the treatment business. (Becker, 3/1)
WDET:
How Much Did Governor Snyder Know About The Flint Crisis, And When Did He Know?
How much did Governor Snyder know about the Flint water crisis, and when did he know? Late last week thousands of pages of emails were released from Governor Snyder’s office regarding the Flint water crisis. The emails show the governor’s office knew in 2014 there were concerns over the water quality negatively affecting health in that community, and that the office tried to temper media reaction rather than go public with the bad news. Snyder is never directly tied to emails discussing the problems with Flint’s water, but everyone in his immediate circle are in on the messages. Detroit Today host Stephen Henderson is joined by Detroit Free Press political reporter Paul Egan, and Free Press columnist Nancy Kaffer. (2/29)
The Associated Press:
Roadblock To Restoring Children's Health Insurance Lifted
The key sponsor of a measure restoring state-sponsored health insurance coverage to low-income children [in Arizona] said she is now confident the once-stalled legislation is moving again. Rep. Regina Cobb, R-Kingman, said her bill unfreezing enrollment in what's known as KidsCare should soon appear on the House floor after it was pulled last week from a committee where it never got a hearing. (Christie, 2/28)
The Columbus Dispatch:
Free-Standing Emergency Departments Will Drive Up Costs, Some Warn
The free-standing emergency departments that thousands of central Ohioans have — or will soon have — right around the corner promise convenience. But one prominent local physician says that they will blindside many consumers with large bills and ultimately drive up health-care costs. (Sutherly, 2/29)
The Associated Press:
Limit On Overtime For Illinois In-Home Care Aides Delayed
Illinois officials on Monday delayed for a second time a cost-saving policy that would cap overtime pay for home health care aides. The Department of Human Services told The Associated Press that another grace period will allow officials to negotiate and clarify policy conditions with the union that represents 25,000 home care workers. State officials said they don't know how long the policy will be delayed. (Lisenby, 3/1)
The Detroit Free Press:
In Oakland, 2 Kids With Fever Die
Health officials in Oakland County are reporting an increase in flu activity and urging residents to get vaccinations. The increase comes days after two small children reportedly died following battles with fever, though it's not clear whether those children died of the flu. (Bethencourt, 2/29)
The Sun Times:
Poll: 71 Percent Of Texans Support Expanding Medical Marijuana Access
The conservative state of Texas, infamous for harsh marijuana laws and traditionally strong anti-marijuana sentiment, appears to be warming to medical marijuana access and maybe even recreational marijuana, according to new polling data. Texas lawmakers approved a CBD-only medical cannabis oil law for epilepsy patients in 2015. (Gray, 2/29)
