Iowa Dems ask CMS to reject Medicaid transition | (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) Gazette
Iowa's 26 Democratic senators on Wednesday wrote a letter to President Barack Obama expressing their “heartfelt concerns” regarding Gov. Terry Branstad's decision to move the state's $5 billion Medicaid program over to a managed-care system on March 1. The letter asks for the CMS, the federal agency that must still approve the transition, to instead deny the application.
Turf war rages between Arizona nurses, docs | Phoenix Business Journal
Nurses in Arizona are pushing for legislation that would expand the scope of practice of advanced practice nurses — something physician organizations oppose. A bill has not yet been introduced in the Arizona Legislature, but Senate Health Committee Chairwoman Nancy Barto is expected to introduce a bill within the next couple of days.
Kansas Senate panel explores 'fail-first' policy for Medicaid drugs | Topeka (Kan.) Capital Journal
The medical establishment in Kansas attempted laser surgery Wednesday on a bill that would repeal a state law prohibiting Medicaid patients from enduring failure of low-cost medicines before gaining access to more expensive alternatives.
Barry Coates dead; veteran was at heart of VA scandal | CNN.com
Barry Coates, the U.S. veteran who became the human face of the Veterans Affairs scandal over delays in care in 2014, died on Saturday of the cancer that wracked his body after waits for medical care at a VA facility. He was 46.
University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake plans $118M replacement of Havre de Grace hospital | Baltimore Business Journal
University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health on Wednesday unveiled a $180 million plan to replace its Havre de Grace hospital and expand its Bel Air hospital.
Appalachia cancer rates higher than average, but shrinking | HealthDay
Cancer rates in Appalachia remain higher than in other parts of the United States, but that gap is shrinking, a new study shows. Reasons for the higher cancer rates in Appalachia—which extends from parts of New York to Mississippi—include greater tobacco use, poverty and less use of healthcare services, according to the study.
