State Highlights: Texas Panel Urges Pursuit Of Medicaid Waiver; Calif. High Court To Hear Med-Mal Cap Issue
News outlets also examine other health policy issues in Vermont, Michigan, Texas, North Carolina, Kansas, Colorado, California and Georgia.
The Texas Tribune:
Texas Recommends Pursuing Waiver To Allow Flexibility In Medicaid
Texas should pursue a waiver from the federal government for more flexibility to administer Medicaid, heighten the "visibility" of the state's mental health programs to "ensure adequate leadership and accountability" and consolidate its three major women's health programs, the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services said Monday. In a lengthy report, the interim committee released its recommendations for the 2015 legislative session, addressing charges from outgoing Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst to expand access to women's healthcare, improve the state's mental health services, stop prescription drug abuse, and provide affordable care options for the state's uninsured — all under the constraints of a fiscally conservative budget. (Walters, 12/1)
Modern Healthcare:
California's Top Court To Address Med-mal Cap Issue
California voters who went to the polls on the matter in November might not have the final say on whether that state's cap on medical malpractice damages should remain at $250,000. The California Supreme Court announced last Wednesday that it will hear Hughes v. Pham, a case that challenges the constitutionality of the state's Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act of 1975, known as MICRA, which caps pain and suffering, or noneconomic damages, at $250,000. The case also looks at how noneconomic damages should be paid. The court agreed to hold the case until after it hears another, Rashidi v. Moser, addressing several tangential issues. (Schencker, 12/1)
Watchdog.org:
Vermont Lawmakers Question Credibility Of New Health Plan That Gruber Helped Design
Vermont lawmakers say they're skeptical of Gov. Peter Shumlin's forthcoming single-payer financing plan because it relies on economic modeling provided by Jonathan Gruber. (12/1)
USA Today:
Medicare House Calls On Rise In Michigan -- So Is Fraud
Medicare spending on doctors who make house calls rose to $236 million in 2012 — a 40% increase since 2006. But the effort to help aging patients with limited mobility get medical care has been riddled with fraud due to lax regulations in some areas of the U.S. Nowhere is this more pronounced than in Michigan, where nearly a fifth of all the spending on Medicare home visits nationwide take place. In 2012, physicians in Michigan received Medicare funds for home visits equal to 42 other states combined, a USA TODAY data analysis reveals. The result: more than $60 million in fraudulent billing by Michigan doctors in the past few years. (Hoyer, 12/1)
Dallas Morning News:
One Patient’s Travails Led To Inquiries At Parkland, Green Oaks Hospitals
After surviving a suicide attempt in the summer, Todd Arko hoped he was ready to get his life back in order. But first, he needed medical care to mend broken bones in both feet, his back and right wrist. And he needed psychiatric help to make sure he was no longer a danger to himself. And that’s how two Dallas hospitals ended up in trouble with regulators. Arko sought treatment at Parkland Memorial Hospital and Greens Oaks Hospital, a psychiatric facility. (Jacobson, 12/1)
The Associated Press:
New Rules For NC Abortion Clinics Proposed
Proposed updated rules governing North Carolina's 14 current abortion clinics were released Monday, more than a year after the Republican-led legislature demanded that they be treated like outpatient surgery centers. The regulations were developed from the state Department of Health and Human Services with feedback from doctors, clinic representatives and other medical professionals. Officials say it will raise standards of care within the clinics. The proposal now is subject to public scrutiny before being finalized. Ultimately, the rules likely will be reviewed again by the General Assembly next year. (Robertson, 12/1)
The Kansas Health Institute News Service:
AARP Kansas Urges Passage Of Caregiver Legislation
AARP Kansas leaders hope to introduce the Caregiver Advise, Record, Enable Act in the upcoming legislative session. The bill is still in draft form, but it is intended to allow patients to designate a caregiver upon admission to the hospital. Hospital staff would then be required to notify that caregiver if the patient is to be discharged to another care facility or home. If the patient is being sent home, the hospital must “provide an explanation and live instruction of the medical tasks” that will have to be performed at home. (Marso, 12/1)
The Denver Post:
Colorado's Lost Hospital A Byproduct Of Economic, Historical Change
For this town of 2,600 people who are facing 33 slippery, curvy miles to the next nearest hospital in Frisco, time and distance equate to life and death. The town is scheduled to lose its ambulance service in January. (Bunch, 12/1)
Los Angeles Times:
New California Senators Take Oath Of Office; Bills Introduced
Sen. Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) reintroduced two bills, one of which would create a new Office of New Americans to help the 2.6 million people in the state illegally get services and special status proposed by the federal government to avoid deportation. ... Lara also reintroduced a proposal to provide health care coverage to some of those in the country illegally. The measure would expand state-funded Medi-Cal, and set up a mirror marketplace similar to Covered California, for those not eligible under the federal Affordable Care Act. (McGreevy, 12/1)
Georgia Health News:
State Medicaid Chief Stepping Down
Jerry Dubberly is leaving his position as Georgia’s Medicaid director, effective Jan. 2. He’s stepping down from what experts consider a vitally important job in Georgia health care. As Medicaid chief, Dubberly oversees the services for about 1.9 million Georgians in Medicaid and PeachCare, with a state budget of more than $2.5 billion. (Miller, 12/1)
