State Highlights: Va. Proton Therapy Center Reports Lower-Than-Expected Number Of Patients; Vt., Calif. End-Of-Life Laws Draw More Headlines

The Associated Press: Patient Numbers Lagging At Virginia Proton Therapy Center
The Hampton University Proton Therapy Institute has treated a fraction of the cancer patients it was expected to serve since it treated its first patient in September 2010. The institute blames several reasons for the lower-than-anticipated number of patients, including increasing competition and decreasing insurance reimbursements, among other factors, The Daily Press reports. (10/18)

Los Angeles Times: Will California's End-Of-Life Law Push Lethal Drugs Over Costlier Care?
Terminally ill cancer patient Barbara Wagner's doctor wrote a prescription several years ago intended to extend her life a few extra months. But Oregon's government-run healthcare program declined to pay for the pricey drug, saying the projected odds of the medicine's keeping her alive were too low. (Karlamangla, 10/18)

The Associated Press: Leader Behind Vermont Aid-in-Dying Law Uses It, Ends Life
Richard "Dick" Walters, a leader in the effort to get [Vermont] to pass aid-in-dying legislation, used the rules established under the law to end his own life on Friday. He was 90 years old and had been battling cancer. Walters, the leader of Patient Choices Vermont, died at a Shelburne retirement community where he had been staying, said the Necrason Group, a Montpelier lobbying firm that worked with him. (Gram, 10/16)

The New York Times: A Small Indiana Town Scarred By A Trusted Doctor
Mrs. Davidson is now one of 293 patients around Munster, Ind., who have filed lawsuits against Dr. Gandhi and two other doctors in his practice claiming that they performed needless procedures. The Indiana state Medicaid program has started an investigation .... Lawyers for Dr. Gandhi and his practice, Cardiology Associates of Northwest Indiana, said they had not received any subpoenas, and the doctors denied any wrongdoing. In recent years, federal officials have brought several prominent cases against cardiologists and hospitals, accusing them of performing unnecessary procedures like inserting stents into coronary arteries. While medical professionals say there is no indication that cardiology has more unnecessary procedures than, say, orthopedics, they do note that the specialty has come under increased scrutiny by regulators because the procedures tend to be reimbursed by Medicare and private insurance at significantly higher levels than those in many other specialties. (Creswell, 10/17)

The Associated Press: Missouri Touts Efforts To Improve Services To Mentally Ill
Programs begun in the last two years to improve mental health services in Missouri are making substantial progress but much more work — and more money — are needed, state officials and mental health advocates said. Spurred by the deaths of 20 children and six adults at a school in Newtown, Connecticut in 2012, Gov. Jay Nixon's administration began looking to create or expand programs to help those with mentally illness, substance abuse or other behavioral health issues, said Mark Stringer, director of the Missouri Department of Mental Health. (Stafford, 10/17)

Connecticut Mirror: Mental Health Funding Tradeoff Draws Criticism, Praise
Rather than cut $4.7 million from mental health and substance abuse treatment providers, as Gov. Dannel P. Malloy called for last month, the state Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services plans to shift the cut elsewhere in its budget and delay the start of new programs. The tradeoff drew both criticism from proponents of one of the delayed programs and praise from those whose funding is being spared. (Levin Becker, 10/19)

The Des Moines Register: Teen Birth Rate Hits Record Lows In Iowa, Nation
Teen pregnancy continues to become much rarer than it used to be, mainly because many young people are more careful about sex than their parents and grandparents were, experts say. The rate has dropped by more than half in two decades, and by more than two-thirds since its peak in the late 1950s. In Iowa last year, fewer than 20 babies were born for every thousand women ages 15 through 19, according to new figures from the state health department. That level, which is a record low, marks a 10 percent decline in one year. Just since 2007, Iowa’s teen birth rate has fallen nearly 40 percent. (Leys, 10/17)

The Des Moines Register: Praise And Concern As Iowa's HIV Transmission Law Is Put To The Test
Iowa has convicted just one person since changing a state law last year covering the criminal transmission of infectious diseases such as HIV. Adam Musser could become the second. Musser, 34, of Coralville is accused of exposing multiple partners to HIV despite, police say, knowing he was infected. At least five women have brought charges against him, claiming he had unprotected sex with them and lied when asked if he was disease-free. He has pleaded not guilty to all counts. (Gruber-Miller, 10/16)

The Columbus Post-Dispatch: Online Connections To Let Some Central Ohioans See The Doctor From Home
Screening might soon take on a whole new meaning for you and your family doctor. Starting Nov. 2, four OhioHealth-employed doctors will see a small number of their established patients for primary-care visits via video and online consultations. (Sutherly, 10/19)

The Associated Press: NYC College Getting $10.7M Grant To Train For Health Jobs
A community college in the Bronx is getting a $10.7 million federal grant to train students for health-care jobs such as certified nurse assistant and patient care technician. Hostos ... Community College announced the five-year grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on Friday. It is the largest grant in the 47-year history of the college. (10/16)

The Associated Press: Bill Would Increase Children's Access To Healthy Food
Health care advocates are pushing a bill aimed at increasing children's access to healthy food in Massachusetts. Supporters say the bill takes a holistic approach to children's well-being by improving access to food assistance. The bill also aims to reduce barriers to emergency shelter and ensure all children are screened for medical issues and can get to medical appointments. (10/17)