Washington leads charge in asking court to block ‘public charge’ rule
Emily Viles | Sep 9, 2019 | Washington
On Friday, Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson asked a federal judge to block the Trump Administration from implementing the “public charge rule” while the states’ lawsuit continues. Ferguson is leading the charge for Washington among 14 other states. The motion was filed in Spokane with Judge Rosanna Malouf Peterson. Under
Colorado Health Institute report connects housing and health
Emily Viles | Sep 9, 2019 | Colorado
The Colorado Health Institute (CHI) recently released a report detailing the relationship between housing and health. The report finds that affordability, stability, quality, and accessibility of housing all play a role in individual and community health. Stable housing is linked to many of the key social determinants of health. CHI
L.A. Care Health Plan and Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan to invest $146 Million to improve member and community health
L.A. Care & Blue Shield Promise | Sep 6, 2019 | California
L.A. Care Health Plan and Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan announced [on Wednesday] that they will invest a combined $146 million as part of a five-year commitment to expand Community Resource Centers across Los Angeles County. This unique collaboration will help improve health outcomes in local communities and
CMS approves behavioral health portion of 1115 waiver
Clinton Bennett | Sep 6, 2019 | Alaska
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approved the behavioral health component of the State of Alaska’s Medicaid Section 1115 Demonstration Project on Tuesday. Also known as an 1115 waiver, this project allows the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) to address a range of behavioral health needs
Superior Court Judge questions "emergency" used to allow Medicaid rate cuts
Emily Boerger | Sep 5, 2019 | Alaska
An Anchorage Superior Court Judge ruled on Friday that the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) may have unlawfully used emergency regulations to cut Medicaid reimbursement rates earlier this year. At the end of July, Gov. Mike Dunleavy cut $77 million in Medicaid dollars through a
Program Provides Naloxone to Curb Overdoses: To date, 255 lives have been saved
Katie McMinn, Utah Department of Health | Sep 5, 2019 | Utah
The Utah Department of Health (UDOH) today reported 255 lives have been saved as a direct result of the Opiate Overdose Outreach Pilot Project created by the Utah State Legislature two years ago. The report also demonstrates the critical need to continue the project, as Utah experienced an increase in overdose deaths
5 Things Hawaii: QUEST Integration RFP, Scott Miscovich, Workforce study
DJ Wilson | Sep 5, 2019 | Hawaii
It seems like a long ways away, and it is... But, we are starting to gear up for our 2020 Hawaii State of Reform Health Policy Conference coming up on January 14, 2020. Our Convening Panel will be gathering to talk through the most relevant and most important topics to tee
DOJ Investigating Providence St. Joseph’s Swedish Health Services
Emily Boerger | Sep 5, 2019 | Alaska, California, Oregon, Washington
In its recent quarterly earnings report, Providence St. Joseph disclosed that the U.S. Department of Justice is investigating Swedish Health Services over a civil matter. Swedish Health Services fall under the umbrella of Providence St. Joseph Health, based out of Renton, Washington. At the end of July, the
Hawaii releases Medicaid Managed Care RFP
Emily Boerger | Sep 4, 2019 | Hawaii
The Hawaii Department of Human Services (DHS) released its QUEST Integration Medicaid Managed Care RFP last week. According to the Request for Proposals, DHS plans to contract with four health plans to provide service for Medicaid and CHIP members in Hawaii. All four will serve members in Oahu, and two
Trump Administration Announces $1.8 Billion in Funding to States to Continue Combating Opioid Crisis
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | Sep 4, 2019 | Federal
Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced more than $1.8 billion in funding to states to continue the Trump administration’s efforts to combat the opioid crisis by expanding access to treatment and supporting near real-time data on the drug overdose crisis. The Centers for Disease Control
Get the latest state-specific policy intelligence for the health care sector delivered to your inbox.