Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
State Highlights: Texas Planned Parenthood Funding At Risk In New Hearing; California Joins 4 Other States In Lawsuit Over Health Care Worker Dues
The Associated Press: Planned Parenthood Funding In Texas At Stake In Hearing
A federal appeals court is about to again take up the issue of whether and how states can cut off federal Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood. A federal district judge blocked Texas' effort to stop Planned Parenthood funding in 2017. But a three-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans said the district judge didn't follow proper legal standards. (5/14)
The Associated Press: California Sues US Over Home Health Worker Union Dues
Five states have joined forces to try and block a new rule from the Trump administration they say weakens labor unions and their ability to collectively bargain for wages and benefits. California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, a Democrat, announced the lawsuit on Monday with attorneys general in Washington, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Oregon. (5/13)
The Star Tribune: Health Costs Surge For Minnesota Employers, Employees
Health care spending for Minnesota businesses and their workers jumped 9.6% last year — nearly triple the national growth rate — as employers reported that old cost-cutting solutions have begun to run their course. Minnesota was an early user of strategies such as moving workers to high-deductible health plans and enticing them to pick cheaper generic prescription drugs. (Olson, 5/14)
Columbus Dispatch: Ohio's Suicide Rate Jumps 24 Percent From 2008 To 2017, Study Says
The rate of suicides in Ohio increased by 24 percent from 2008 and 2017, according to a new study analyzing vital statistics. And details about who is being most affected can help in the fight to reverse the trend, advocates say. Among those details are that the highest rates of suicide are in Appalachian counties and the suicide rate among men is four times higher than women. (Viviano, 5/13)
Georgia Health News: State Gets Anthem To Pay Disputed Bill, Still Plans Hearing On Complaints
In a case that highlighted problems in insurance networks, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield has agreed to pay the $87,000 in outstanding medical bills of a Newnan cancer patient, state officials say. The patient, Diane Conine, went to Piedmont Newnan hospital for emergency care in January, and had surgery there to remove a tumor on a kidney. (Miller, 5/13)
Cleveland Plain Dealer: Cuyahoga County Might Ask For Increase In Health And Human Services Taxes
Cuyahoga County budget chief Maggie Keenan warned a County Council committee on Monday that the county will run out of money by year’s end to help care for neglected or abandoned children and other human services. Keenan also projected that the county will need an additional $33 million next year because the need for such services now exceeds the revenues generated by the county’s two existing Health and Human Services taxes. (Astolfi, 5/13)
The Baltimore Sun: Anne Arundel Medical Center, Doctors Community Health System Announce Plans To Combine
Anne Arundel Medical Center and the Doctors Community Health System announced plans to create a new regional health care system that will cover Anne Arundel and Prince George’s counties. In a statement released Monday, the two hospitals systems said they are working toward a definitive agreement — pending completion of a due diligence process and standard regulatory approval. (Harris, 5/13)
KCUR: Lawsuit Alleges Workers Falsified Medical Records Of Inmate Who Died At Jackson County Jail
The family of a woman who died in custody at the Jackson County Detention Center in 2017 has filed a wrongful death lawsuit claiming workers ignored the woman's pleas for help and falsified her medical records. ReGina Thurman died "a horrible and preventable death" about 14 hours after arriving at the jail on Jan. 20, 2017, according to the lawsuit filed in Jackson County Circuit Court by Thurman's family earlier this month. The Kansas City Star first reported the lawsuit on Monday. (Haxel, 5/13)
San Francisco Chronicle: SF Residents Give Their City A Report Card — Not Bad But Not Straight A’s
San Franciscans give their local government a “B-” grade, despite widespread sentiment that the city has failed to make meaningful progress on its biggest problem — homelessness. That’s according to the results of the latest biennial San Francisco survey — a barometer of how residents feel about the city’s libraries, transportation, parks and public safety services. (Fracassa, 5/13)
Wyoming Public Radio: Cody High School Student Wins Third Place For Video PSA On Opioid Addiction
A 60-second public service announcement created by a junior at the Cody High School won third place in the Operation Prevention video challenge. The program aims to educate students nationally about the science behind addiction. The video titled "Wanna" features a 9-year-old who wants to try many things and that eventually includes drugs. (Kudelska, 5/13)
The Associated Press: Dog Disease That Can Be Passed To Humans Confirmed In Iowa
Officials say a dog disease that can be passed to humans has been confirmed in Iowa. The state veterinarian, Dr. Jeff Kaisand, says several cases of canine brucellosis have been confirmed at a commercial breeding facility for small dogs in Marion County. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship says it is notifying people who have custody of the exposed dogs. Both the animals and the facilities are quarantined while the dogs undergo testing. (5/13)
