Al Gross forming exploratory committee for U.S. Senate
Suzanne Downing | May 21, 2019 | Alaska
Al Gross, a practicing orthopedic surgeon from Juneau who lives in Anchorage and Petersburg, says he’s formed an exploratory committee to help him decide if he’s going to challenge U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan in 2020. He is expected to announce the committee today in Petersburg, but has the announcement on
John Baackes pens op-ed on the viability of a public option
Emily Boerger | May 21, 2019 | California
John Baackes is the CEO of L.A. Care Health Plan, the nation’s largest publicly operated health plan covering more than 2 million members. The Hill recently featured an op-ed written by Baackes where he makes the case for the viability of a public option. In his op-ed, Baackes
Gov. Inslee signs surprise billing legislation
The Office of Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler | May 21, 2019 | Washington
Gov. Jay Inslee today signed Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler’s request legislation to end surprise medical billing, enacting arguably the strongest law in the country to protect consumers from this unfair practice. The new law (www.leg.wa.gov) protects consumers from getting a surprise bill when they get either emergency services at an
The Utah Legislature’s interim health priorities
Sara Gentzler | May 21, 2019 | Utah
Last week, Utah’s Health and Human Services Interim Committee held its first meeting since the 2019 General Session adjourned on March 14. The interim committee laid out its areas of focus for the interim and spent time on three of its major priorities. The three priorities it discussed last week
Texas Women's Health Report reveals new enrollment and cost-savings trends
Emily Viles | May 21, 2019 | Texas
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission released a new Texas Women’s Health Programs Report earlier this month. Overall, enrollment has increased in both programs, as have cost-savings to the state. The report is a requirement of the 2018-2019 General Appropriations Act and provides a summary of program
Jennifer Kent dismissive of Medicaid drug bulk purchasing agreements with OR and WA
Emily Boerger | May 21, 2019 | California, Oregon, Washington
States along the West Coast are exploring the option of establishing bulk purchasing agreements as a means to drive down prescription drug costs. But, based off recent comments made by Jennifer Kent, Director of California’s Department of Health Care Services, it seems unlikely that California will team up with Oregon
AG Becerra on health care consolidation in California
Emily Boerger | May 21, 2019 | California
In a recent POLITICO California Pro Q&A with Attorney General Xavier Becerra, the California AG commented on a broad range of topics, including consolidation in health care. In March 2018, Becerra filed a lawsuit against Sutter Health, claiming the hospital system engaged in anti-competitive practices, resulting in higher
Update: Christensen et al. v. Miner et al. settlement in Utah
Sara Gentzler | May 20, 2019 | Utah
During the 2019 General Legislative Session, the Utah Legislature passed a joint resolution approving a settlement agreement in the case of Christensen et al. v. Miner et al., a case related to care settings for Utahns with intellectual disabilities. State defendants in the case presented an update on the settlement,
Commentary from Gov. Polis's bill signing ceremony
Emily Viles | May 20, 2019 | Colorado
On Friday afternoon, Gov. Jared Polis signed a series of health care bills that aim to lower costs. Polis signed the bills in Summit County, an area of Colorado known for having some of the highest health care costs in the entire nation. He signed the bills at
Texas Legislature considering bill limiting abortion access
Emily Viles | May 17, 2019 | Texas
In the midst of a national trend to pass legislation aimed at limiting access to abortion, the Texas House of Representatives is currently considering such a bill. The Texas House placed Senate Bill 22 on the general calendar for consideration on Thursday. The bill is currently being considered
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