State Highlights: Pa. House OKs ‘Chemo Parity’ Bill; Texas Lawmakers Push To Expand Experimental Drug Access
A selection of health policy stories from Pennsylvania, Texas, Delaware, Georgia, California, New Mexico and Iowa.
The Philadelphia Inquirer:
'Chemo Parity' Bill Again Passes Pa. House
Patient and physician groups cheered Monday as the Pennsylvania House overwhelmingly passed legislation to equalize patients' out-of-pocket costs for oral and intravenous cancer drugs. Patients currently may be charged thousands of dollars a month for cancer pills, vs. a $50 co-payment for a dose of a drug given through a vein, because most insurers cover the two formulations in different ways. (McCullough, 2/25)
The Texas Tribune:
Lawmakers Push 'Right To Try' Experimental Drugs
It’s kind of like Dallas Buyers Club: A group of sick Texans is seeking to gain access to experimental drugs — only this time, a flurry of state lawmakers is rushing to help them. Eleven of Texas' 31 state senators have put their names on a proposal that would allow terminally ill patients to try investigational drugs that have passed at least the first of three FDA trial phases, once the patient has exhausted other treatment options. There is a similar proposal in the House. (Walters, 2/25)
Stateline:
States Strive To Keep Medicaid Patients Out Of ER
Nearly half the states use higher copayments to dissuade Medicaid recipients from unnecessary visits to emergency rooms, where care is more costly. These states require patients to make the payments, which are as high as $30 per visit in Oklahoma, when it is later determined that they did not experience a true medical emergency. (Ollove, 2/24)
The Associated Press:
Delaware Legislators Eye Medicaid Budget
Legislative budget writers are continuing their review of budget requests for one of Delaware's biggest government agencies, the Department of Health and Social Services. Wednesday's agenda includes a discussion of the Medicaid and medical assistance programs, which account for more than half of the entire department's budget. (2/25)
Georgia Health News:
Bill On Cancer Hospital Takes Immediate Flak
The long-awaited “CTCA bill” has finally arrived – and Georgia’s hospital industry immediately pounced on it in opposition. Legislation that would end major regulatory restrictions on the Cancer Treatment Centers of America’s hospital in Newnan was introduced in the Georgia General Assembly on Tuesday. The lead sponsor is state Rep. Wendell Willard (R-Sandy Springs), chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. (Miller, 2/24)
The Dallas Morning News:
Tenet Healthcare Wants To Grow In Texas
Tenet Healthcare Corp. remains bullish on Texas. ... The Dallas-based company, which operates in 16 states, doubled its revenue from Texas in 2013 when it acquired Nashville-based Vanguard Health Systems. Since then, it has steadily added Texas assets. (Jacobson, 2/24)
California Healthline:
Scope of Practice Bill Returns, Would Let Nurse Practitioners Prescribe Medication
On Monday, the bill to expand scope-of-practice for nurse practitioners returned to the Legislature with a provision to allow NPs to prescribe medication. (Gorn, 2/24)
Stateline:
New Mexico's Nurse Hotline Touted As Model In States
If your infant has a high fever or you’re experiencing an unusual pain in your abdomen and you live in New Mexico, you may want to call the NurseAdvice line before you do anything else. New Mexico is the only state with a 24/7 registered nurse call center that is free to all residents, whether insured or not. In operation since 2006, it has kept tens of thousands of New Mexicans out of emergency rooms and saved the state more than $68 million in health care expenses. (Vestal, 2/25)
The Des Moines Register:
CoOportunity Liquidation Approved By Judge
The end is near for CoOportunity Health. Polk County District Judge Arthur Gamble agreed Tuesday to sign an order putting the troubled Iowa-based health-insurer into liquidation as of midnight Saturday. (Leys, 2/24)
