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State roundup: N.J. Gov. Christie's big health care changes

The state Senate voted 24-15 to pass legislation that will force public employees to pay more for their health insurance and pension. The vote, after hours of speeches from lawmakers on both sides, leaves only the Assembly to sign off on the bill that was a focal piece of Gov. Chris Christie's agenda.

22 Jun 2011

Roundup: State employee benefit battles heat up; Wis. Gov. to remake Medicaid program; Mass. cost controls

The Legislature is close to wrapping up its work on the $25 billion state budget bill after the Senate made minor changes to the plan late Sunday before approving it by a lopsided margin. ... the spending plan for the budget year that starts July 1 would eliminate more than 2,000 state jobs and includes cuts in most state departments and agencies.

21 Jun 2011

Small health facilities, solo practices face health IT challenges

As part of the federal government's push to get hospitals and clinics to adopt electronic medical records, it's subsidizing IT training classes across the country. ...

20 Jun 2011

Lawmakers draw lines, offer views on Medicare

Senate Democrats argue that the best way to find savings in Medicare is to build on the program changes that were included in the health law. Meanwhile, Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., says he is open to Medicare changes that would leave the traditional program intact as an option for seniors in the future.

17 Jun 2011

Opening the door for a lady – benevolent sexism or chivalry?

According to a latest study by feminist psychologists, men who open doors for women are guilty of ‘benevolent sexism’. Helping the ladies choose the right computer as well as carrying their shopping are also signs of ‘unseen’ sexism in society, according to the report.

16 Jun 2011

Roundup: Conn.'s 'moderate' Medicaid cuts; Calif. adult day care threatened; disabled face 'unclear futures'

The national Center for Reproductive Rights filed a federal lawsuit Monday to halt implementation of the requirements that women wanting an abortion must have a sonogram and hear a detailed description of the fetus. The group called the mandates patronizing and an intrusion into the doctor-patient relationship.

15 Jun 2011

Roundup: States controlled by GOP pass sweeping changes; state budgets still very lean from recession; La. Gov. wrestling with legislature over spending

Republicans controlled all the levers of government in a staggering number of states this year — and it showed. Holding a lock on the governorship and both houses of the legislature in 20 states, GOP conservatives advanced an agenda that may change the face of state government for decades. They honored pledges not to raise taxes by enacting huge spending cuts to balance budgets in Florida and Texas.

14 Jun 2011

State roundup: Texas legislator seeks to force vote on 'health care compact'

Two Atlanta gatherings Monday showed that health care isn't waiting around for whatever happens to the 2010 reform law. Gov. Nathan Deal's committee on health exchanges met at the state Capitol for introductions and background on their task. ... Ryan Teague, deputy executive counsel for the governor, said the health reform law is "a heavyhanded approach to expanding Medicaid."

8 Jun 2011

News highlights: Study finds reform didn't slow ER visits in Mass.; 2 ACOs take shape in Calif.; Md. hospitals report problems

Health care reform in Massachusetts only had a small impact on the number of trips residents took to the emergency room, according to a new study.

4 Jun 2011

State roundup: Texas special session highlights health issues

States are slashing funding, and more cuts are expected. But in places like Reno, where police have teamed up with counselors to aid the mentally ill, the services don't seem expendable.

3 Jun 2011

States and exchanges: A progress report

In today's Health on the Hill segment, Christine Vestal of Stateline joins KHN's Mary Agnes Carey and Jackie Judd to assess the progress - or lack thereof - states are making setting up insurance exchanges. They're required by the health law and they must be set up by 2014 to provide a online marketplace for people to buy insurance.

2 Jun 2011

State roundup: Texas budget cuts; Florida's 'F' in kids' teeth; new insurance programs for Conn., Maine

Texas lawmakers adopted a state budget Saturday night ... Facing a massive revenue shortfall, lawmakers crafted the $172 billion budget by making cuts and using deferrals rather than raising taxes or dipping into the $10 billion reserve fund.

1 Jun 2011

State Legislatures struggling with efforts to fund health programs

A second measure designed to streamline state government advanced late Tuesday as the Senate voted to merge several agencies for the disabled and a rehab program for injured workers into a new social services bureau.

26 May 2011

Roundup: N.Y.C. hospitals face new cuts; Vt. health bill signing expected Thursday; difficulties for Conn. insurance chief

Vermont is moving one step closer to a goal of its Democratic governor: a state-run health plan that would insure most of its 625,000 residents. The bill Gov. Peter Shumlin plans to sign on Thursday would create a panel whose goal would be to figure out how to pay for a new system intended to reduce the rate of overall health-cost increases.

26 May 2011

State Roundup: States' economic success often beyond their control

State leaders love to make promises about healing a sick economy. Often, though, economic success depends on factors far beyond their influence. ... When It comes to Medicaid, the restrictions largely emanate from the federal budget.

23 May 2011

Chamberlain College of Nursing announces opening of Miramar campus in Florida

Chamberlain College of Nursing is opening a new campus in Miramar, Fla. with classes beginning in July 2011. This expansion reinforces Chamberlain's commitment to prepare additional nurses in the southern portion of the state in response to the growing demand for nurses.

23 May 2011

Roundup: Kan. exchange blueprint coming soon; 'Most favored nation' ban passes in Conn.; Anti-fraud repeal in Calif.

In a few months, the Kansas Insurance Department is expected to release a blueprint for how a health insurance exchange might work. "We still have a lot of work to do but, so far, the process has been going really, really well," said Linda Sheppard, head of the insurance department's accident and health accident and health division.

21 May 2011

State roundup: Gov. Brown offers revisions to health budget

A new state department would be formed to manage California's violence-plagued mental hospitals under a proposal in the governor's Monday budget revision. The push to create a Department of State Hospitals — and eventually do away with the Department of Mental Health, which now oversees the facilities — comes as lawmakers and employee unions press for changes to address increasing patient assaults on fellow patients and staff.

18 May 2011

States struggling with Medicaid costs look for innovation

Florida wants to be the first state in the nation to charge most of its Medicaid recipients a monthly premium as well as $100 for using the ER for routine care. But even supporters acknowledge that the new fees, passed recently by the state legislature as part of a sweeping Medicaid measure, face long odds getting federal approval.

17 May 2011

State roundup: Calif. considers safety measures for mental hospitals

Nearly eight months after a Napa State Hospital patient strangled a psychiatric technician, lawmakers and employee groups are pushing proposals aimed at reversing a worsening safety trend at California's mental health facilities.