Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
State Highlights: More States Advance 'Right-To-Try' Laws; N.Y.'s Out-Of-Network Protections Start
Wall Street Journal's Pharmalot: More States Pass ‘Right To Try’ Laws, But Will These Make A Difference?
A divisive measure called “right to try” is getting a tryout in Indiana. ... Earlier in the week, [Indiana Gov. Mike Pence] signed a bill allowing people who are battling life-threatening conditions to gain access to experimental medicines. Known as a “right to try” law, the idea is to leapfrog a drug-development process that takes years before new treatments become available. The move reflects rising frustration with an FDA program called expanded access, in which people who are seriously ill can obtain a drug under development, even though they aren’t enrolled in a clinical trial. (Silverman, 3/27)
The Associated Press: NY Starts Out-Of-Network Health Coverage Protections
New protections against big surprise medical bills are starting in New York. They require insurance payments for out-of-network medical treatment in emergencies, when similar services or specialists are unavailable within the insurer's network or when care is provided without the patient's knowledge. (3/30)
Modern Healthcare: Network Squeeze: Controversies Continue Over Narrow Health Plans
Narrow-network plans have gained members because of their lower premiums, but experts say there is significant dissatisfaction with access, surprise bills and provider directory information. But there is significant consumer and provider dissatisfaction with how many of these plans are organized, including concern about inadequate access and information. Critics say insurers have made many missteps in building adequate networks and maintaining accurate, up-to-date provider directories. In some rural areas, there are too few in-network providers, forcing plan members to travel long distances to see one. Some patients find out that a hospital or doctor was out-of-network only after they receive a shockingly high bill. So far, federal and state regulations on narrow networks are vague and inconsistent, experts say. (Herman, 3/28)
Los Angeles Times: Blue Shield Of California Is Under New Pressure To Lower Rates
With billions of dollars in reserve, nonprofit insurer Blue Shield of California is facing new pressure to offer better prices for its policies. Despite its nonprofit status, the health insurance giant is usually on par or priced slightly above its for-profit rivals, according to a review of rates and interviews with insurance agents and industry officials. ... The San Francisco insurer's premiums are drawing renewed scrutiny since the California Franchise Tax Board stripped Blue Shield of its longtime exemption for state income taxes after an audit. (Terhune, 3/27)
The Sacramento Bee: Sutter Health Reports 2014 Profits Up 34 Percent
Sacramento-based Sutter Health said Friday that it had net income of $402 million in 2014, up 34 percent from $300 million in 2013. The health system said operating revenue last year totaled $10.2 billion, up from $9.6 billion in 2013. (Glover, 3/27)
The Island Packet: Beaufort County Retirees Can't Pay To Keep Health Insurance Plans
While some current and former Beaufort County employees may want to shell out more money to stay on their health insurance plans, they won't be allowed to, county officials said Thursday. The county had already researched that and other options before Beaufort County Council voted Monday to eliminate health coverage to 95 retirees and 590 current workers eligible to receive it upon their retirement, deputy county administrator Josh Gruber said. (Lurye, 3/27)
The New York Times: New York State’s Medical Marijuana Rules Shaping Up As Unusually Restrictive
When New York State’s lawmakers were mulling legalizing the medical use of marijuana last summer, some proponents feared that the proposed law was so restrictive that it would prevent many patients from receiving the drug. Now, with the state’s Health Department close to issuing final regulations about the new program, the law’s supporters say their fears may soon be realized. (McKinley and Saint Louis, 3/29)
NPR: New York City To Teens: TXT ME With Mental Health Worries
The majority of teenagers with mental health issues don't get help. But maybe if help were just a text message away — they wouldn't be so hesitant to reach out. That's the thinking behind NYC Teen Text, a pilot program at 10 New York public high schools that allows teens to get help with mental health issues by text. (Singh, 3/27)
Connecticut Mirror: CT Official: VA’s Failure To Share Data Hurts Vets At Risk Of Prescription Drug Abuse
Connecticut veterans are escaping the notice of a state program aimed at combating prescription drug abuse, an epidemic among those veterans; and the federal government's Department of Veterans Affairs is to blame, a state official says. (Radelat, 3/30)
St. Louis Public Radio: American Lung Association Wants To Help St. Louis Clinics Improve Asthma Outcomes For Children
St. Louis area pediatricians will soon have help managing asthma care for their patients. The American Lung Association is implementing a program here to improve the system that primary care clinics use to identify and treat the disease. The Enhancing Asthma Care for Children program has measurably reduced asthma symptoms for patients in other cities where it has been introduced, said Jill Heins, director of respiratory health for the American Lung Association of the Upper Midwest. (Phillips, 3/29)
The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel: Police, Mental Health Teams Remain Limited In Milwaukee County
Mental health advocates say police and Milwaukee County officials still have a long way to go to catch up with the best practices from other cities. While the city is moving to train every officer in crisis intervention skills, that won't be completed until the end of 2017. In the meantime, advocates say police and county mental health administrators have not been aggressive enough in working together — despite early success in pairing police officers with mental health professionals. (Kissinger, 3/28)
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Insurer's Policy Change Could Leave Patients On The Hook For Bills
Some St. Louis area residents face the prospect of getting stuck with hefty medical bills because of a recent change by the nation’s largest health insurer. Minnetonka, Minn.-based UnitedHealthcare, which covers approximately one-fourth of Missourians, has changed the way it handles something known as “balance billing” — the difference between the provider’s charge and the amount allowed by the insurer. (Shapiro, 3/29)
Modern Healthcare: Premera Faces Class-action Suit Over Massive Data Breach
Premera Blue Cross failed to adequately protect its customers' personal information and notify them of a recent data breach in a timely manner, according to the latest class-action lawsuit filed Thursday against the insurer in federal court in Seattle. The suit is one of at least five class-action suits filed over the breach, said James Bilsborrow, an attorney representing the plaintiffs with law firm Weitz & Luxenberg. Premera announced earlier this month that a May 2014 cyberattack breached a system that contained records for 11 million of its customers. (Schencker, 3/27)
