Colorado Prescription Drug Affordability Board proposes rules on upper payment limits
Boram Kim | Sep 26, 2022 | Colorado
During a virtual stakeholder meeting last Wednesday, the Colorado Division of Insurance presented its proposed methodology for establishing upper payment limits (UPL) on prescription drugs the Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) has determined to be unaffordable. Under the proposed rules, commercially insured Coloradans’ out-of-pocket expense and health plans’
Medicaid doula services key to addressing maternal health disparities in Florida, report finds
Nicole Pasia | Sep 23, 2022 | Florida
Doulas, non-clinical professionals who provide care to pregnant and postpartum women through education, physical and emotional support, have increasingly contributed to better health outcomes, particularly for Medicaid recipients. As more states look to integrate doula care into their Medicaid programs, a new report from the Public Policy Institute (PPI) at
Colorado’s new Medicaid Director focused on partnering with RAEs to prepare for end of PHE
Boram Kim | Sep 23, 2022 | Colorado
Colorado’s Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) announced earlier this month the appointment of Adela Flores-Brennan as State Medicaid Director. She also assumed the leadership role for the Health Policy Office (formerly called the Health Programs Office), which develops and oversees Health First Colorado and CHP+ medical policies
CDHS hires new chief equity, diversity, and inclusion officer
Colorado Department of Human Services | Sep 23, 2022 | Colorado
Dr. Sandy Ho has been hired as chief equity, diversity, and inclusion officer for the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS). For more than two decades, Dr. Ho has contributed to and been recognized at the regional and state levels for advocacy and championing transformational equity, diversity, and inclusion
$22 million in grant funds will be available to Oregon child care providers this winter
Shane Ersland | Sep 23, 2022 | Oregon
Oregon child care providers will have an opportunity to apply for funding this winter through the Child Care Capacity Building Fund (CCCBF). CCCBF Co-Chairs Amy Powers and Courtney Helstein discussed the grant program during a House Interim Committee on Early Childhood meeting on Wednesday. Powers said the state
HCA to distribute $100 million to address workforce challenges for Washington behavioral health treatment agencies
Washington Health Care Authority | Sep 23, 2022 | Washington
Washington State has committed significant resources to address the workforce challenges for behavioral health treatment agencies. The Health Care Authority (HCA) began the distribution of a $100 million workforce provider relief fund on Monday. The funds will provide lump sum payments to eligible community behavioral health treatment providers
New OHSU study reveals breakthrough infections increase immunity to COVID-19
Oregon Health & Science University | Sep 23, 2022 | Oregon
Vaccine boosters and breakthrough infections following vaccination both provide a substantial and potentially pandemic-breaking immunity against COVID-19, according to new laboratory research from Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU). The study, published Wednesday in the journal Med, is the latest in a series of OHSU discoveries using blood
MHA encourages Marylanders to get boosted for fall
Nicole Pasia | Sep 22, 2022 | Maryland
Marylanders now have access to an updated COVID-19 booster vaccine that is designed to better protect against symptoms of subvariants Omicron BA.4 and BA.5. The BA.5 subvariant makes up almost 90% of all COVID-19 strains now in circulation. The new boosters are available in time for fall, typically a time
Experts discuss initiatives to expand behavioral health care in Washington
Shane Ersland | Sep 22, 2022 | Washington
Prominent public officials, including President Joe Biden and Gov. Jay Inslee, have identified behavioral health care as a priority service, and some experts discussed how they’re making progress on it in Washington at the 2022 Inland Northwest State of Reform Health Policy Conference. Psychologist Dr. Noelle Turner, from
Colorado Office of Behavioral Health changes name to Office of Civil and Forensic Mental Health
Boram Kim | Sep 22, 2022 | Colorado
The Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) announced Thursday that the Office of Behavioral Health has changed its name to the Office of Civil and Forensic Mental Health (OCFMH). CDHS said the new name reflects renewed programmatic efforts and continuous person-first care that is evidence-based and trauma-informed. It