Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
State Highlights: Union Sees Opportunity In Possible Mass. Hospital Merger; Montana House Advances Mental Health Funding Plan
The Boston Globe: Union Eyes Possible Hospital Merger To Organize Workers
A large labor union is seizing on merger negotiations between Boston Medical Center and Tufts Medical Center as an opportunity to increase its membership among hospital workers. (Dayal McCluskey, 4/13)
The Associated Press: Montana House Moves On Mental Health Funding
The final pieces of a Republican plan to expand mental health care are approaching approval in the Legislature. The measures would boost local services for crisis intervention and overnight mental health care. Gov. Steve Bullock offered amendments last week removing a stipulation for future funding procedures and clarifying the definition of treatment beds. (4/13)
The Washington Post: District Extends Reach Of Mental Health Services For Children, Report Says
Following years of negative reports that found the District wasn’t reaching enough of the city’s poorest children with mental health issues, a local advocacy group is publishing a report that shows significantly more children were treated for behavioral problems last year than in 2013. About 12,550 children had a Medicaid mental health charge last year, representing a 30 percent increase from 2013, when the total was 9,569 children, according to the report being released Tuesday by the Children’s Law Center. (McCoy, 4/13)
The Washington Post: Maryland General Assembly Passes Budget That Widens Split With Hogan
In the closing hours of the 90-day session, the Senate and the House of Delegates voted along party lines to approve a spending plan that included less funding than Hogan sought to shore up the state pension fund and did not go as far as the governor wanted in trimming the state’s structural budget deficit. As a result, Hogan said he would refuse to use money the legislature earmarked to preserve state pay raises, full funding for the most expensive school districts and several health-related initiatives. (Johnson and Wiggins, 4/14)
California Healthline: First Test For Bill To Cover Undocumented
Health care coverage for the undocumented gets its first test this week when a bill to extend Medi-Cal coverage and Covered California health plans to the undocumented will be heard by the Senate Health committee. (Gorn, 4/13)
Center for Investigative Reporting: Ex-Hospital Executive In Kickback Scheme Looks To Spread The Blame
A former California hospital executive at the center of a $500 million kickback scheme that subjected injured workers to risky spinal surgeries is attempting to spread the blame by suing his alleged co-conspirators, according to a recent court filing. (Jewett, 4/13)
Los Angeles Times: Jail Reforms, Health Funding Among L.A. County Budget Plan Priorities
Los Angeles County officials plan to spend more than $100 million over the next year to reduce abuses in the county's crowded jails, improve treatment of mentally ill inmates and divert others with mental health issues from entering lockups. ... As well as continuing jail reforms that have been driven in part by pressure from federal authorities, the proposed spending plan sets aside money for improvements in the county healthcare system driven by the Affordable Care Act and for ongoing reforms in the child welfare system. (Sewell, 4/13)
