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States: Texas GOP rift in primary; L.A. nursing homes scrutiny; Calif. health costs protest

A selection of health policy stories from Texas, California, Arizona, Wisconsin, Connecticut, Virginia and Georgia.

6 Mar 2014

3.5 million estimated Medicaid signups under health law

Avalere Health projects that of the 8.9 million people "determined eligible" for Medicaid starting last Oct. 1, the number of new enrollees under the health law is likely much smaller -- between 2.4 million and 3.5 million. Other reports look at how health insurance could result in nearly half a million more Americans getting tested for HIV by 2017 -- but how 60,000 people with the virus will be left uninsured in states not expanding Medicaid.

5 Mar 2014

Microgravity may suppress tumors, study reveals

In space, things don't always behave the way we expect them to. In the case of cancer, researchers have found that this is a good thing: some tumors seem to be much less aggressive in the microgravity environment of space compared to their behavior on Earth. This observation, reported in research published in February by the FASEB Journal, could help scientists understand the mechanism involved and develop drugs targeting tumors that don't respond to current treatments. This work is the latest in a large body of evidence on how space exploration benefits those of us on Earth.

4 Mar 2014

State highlights: N.C. Medicaid reform plan unveiled; cutting back Medicaid estate recoveries

A selection of health policy stories from Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, D.C., Florida, New York, and North Carolina.

3 Mar 2014

States: Calif. malpractice bill; Conn. braces for mental health cuts; Fla. advance practice nurses bill

A selection of health policy stories from California, Connecticut, Florida and Arizona.

26 Feb 2014

Private exchange benefiting from health law; some state-run marketplaces still struggling

eHealthInsurance reports that interest in health coverage ginned up by the new federal law has helped new memberships rise 50 percent. Meanwhile, NPR examines the mixed record of the 14 states running their own marketplaces.

24 Feb 2014

Highlights: Ohio gov.'s evolving stances; Conn. social services woes; abortion-ban push continues

A selection of health policy stories from Ohio, Connecticut, South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, California, New York, Oklahoma, Washington, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Texas, Virginia and Georgia.

19 Feb 2014

Pathway Genomics announces launch of Hereditary Colorectal Cancer DNA Insight genetic test

Pathway Genomics Corporation, a San Diego-based CLIA and CAP accredited clinical laboratory that offers genetic testing services worldwide, today announced the launch of Hereditary Colorectal Cancer DNA Insight, the company's premier hereditary cancer genetic test. Based on a simple saliva sample, the test uses next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology to identify gene alterations or mutations that increase a patient's risk of developing certain types of cancer.

18 Feb 2014

State highlights: More states gearing up to combine Medicare, Medicaid; vaccination exemptions still considered by many states; likely Texas democratic Gov. Candidate backs 20-week abortion ban

A selection of health policy stories from California, Texas, Colorado, Virginia, North Carolina, Florida and Connecticut.

13 Feb 2014

Proposal to change Medicare's 'observation status' gains Congressional support

After years of trying, Rep. Joe Courtney, D-Conn., says he is optimistic that Congress will change the Medicare policy that has left thousands of patients without coverage for nursing home care after leaving the hospital.

13 Feb 2014

State highlights: Wis. Bill would limit worker's comp medical costs; Democratic AG in N.C. to appeal abortion ultrasound ruling; Conn. Medicaid primary care docs double since 2011

Wisconsin would put tighter caps on how much doctors and physical therapists could be paid to treat injured patients covered by worker's compensation insurance, under a bill before lawmakers.

11 Feb 2014

GOP gubernatorial candidate says Mass. should seek Obamacare waiver

Charlie Baker, a former CEO of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care who is running for governor, said Massachusetts ran into problems because it tried to meld its successful state law with new federal requirements. Meanwhile, a mini-health exchange in Florida, which will sell discount cards and other products to "fill benefit gaps," nears launch and Connecticut exchange officials announce they are close to their enrollment goals.

6 Feb 2014

GOP hammers "risk corridors" as bailout; Democrats worry about explaining law

Republicans are trying to tie a vote raising the debt ceiling to repealing the health law's "risk corridors," which help mitigate insurer risk. In the meantime, President Obama faces some pushback on the law's rocky rollout from his own party.

6 Feb 2014

NeuroRehabilitation showcases different approaches to restoring mental functioning

There is a growing need for Cognitive Rehabilitation Therapy (CRT) due to the huge influx of soldiers returning from war zones with brain injuries, athletes with sports-related head injuries, and the growing population with age-related cognitive decline.

4 Feb 2014

GOP candidates to campaign on state exchange glitches

Republican candidates in states that have had troubled exchange rollouts plan to campaign on those problems in gubernatorial and state legislative races later this year, reports The New York Times. Other news outlets report on developments in Kentucky, Oregon, Rhode Island, Maryland, Minnesota, Connecticut and Pennsylvania.

3 Feb 2014

State highlights: N.Y. insurer will reinstate young adult coverage

A selection of health policy stories from New York, California, Virginia, South Carolina, Connecticut, Florida, Kansas, Minnesota, Michigan, Georgia and Colorado.

31 Jan 2014

State highlights: Will doc cuts like those in Conn. become more common?; Calif. health plans criticized over chronic condition treatment; Vt. drug addiction

A selection of health policy stories from Connecticut, California, Vermont, Minnesota, Virginia and Georgia.

30 Jan 2014

State highlights: N.Y. revises its request for Medicaid adjustment; transplant waiting periods for new coverage in Wash.

A selection of health policy stories from New York, Washington state, California, Virginia, Idaho, Connecticut and Georgia.

28 Jan 2014

High Court justices debate union rights for home health care workers

The Illinois case was brought before the Supreme Court Tuesday. According to news accounts, Justice Antonin Scalia may be the swing vote.

23 Jan 2014

GOP asks Oregon for details on its health insurance exchange, including officials' compensation

The Republican National Committee has filed a public records request with the Oregon health insurance exchange seeking information about the marketplace's troubled rollout and about compensation for its executives. It plans other requests in Hawaii, Minnesota and Maryland.

18 Jan 2014