West Virginia House OKs bill with antitrust exemption for hospital deal | (Huntington, W.Va.) Herald Dispatch
The West Virginia House of Delegates again voted to pass a bill Wednesday that would exempt Cabell Huntington Hospital's proposed acquisition of St. Mary's Medical Center from state and federal antitrust laws. The bill will be effective immediately if signed by Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin, but first must go back to the Senate for consideration.
Iowa hits homestretch on privately managed Medicaid | The (Waterloo, Iowa) Courier
Iowa Department of Human Services officials Wednesday updated the Council on Human Services on the impending move to Medicaid managed care, including the development of the provider network, its communications plan and an oversight bill that's been debated in the Iowa Legislature.
Medicaid expansion moving forward in New Hampshire | (Manchester, N.H.) Union Leader
After more than two hours of debate, the House Wednesday voted 216-145 to approve a two-year extension of the state's Medicaid expansion program covering 48,000 adults. Sixty-eight Republicans joined with all 146 Democrats to approve the bill. It now goes to the Senate, where it is expected to pass.
Minnesota hospitals launch “nation's largest” concussion study | (Minneapolis) Star-Tribune
Hennepin County Medical Center and the University of Minnesota are launching what's billed as the nation's largest study of concussions and traumatic brain injuries, combining discoveries in brain imaging, blood analysis and eye tests to find a more accurate way to detect the injuries' severity and long-term ramifications.
Rural Pennsylvania hospitals to receive partial funding amid budget impasse | (Scranton, Pa.) Times-Tribune
Pennsylvania officials are preparing to release partial funding to some rural hospitals caught up in the state budget impasse. The 14 critical-access hospitals will soon receive $3.2 million in revenue generated for them through a long-standing state assessment on hospitals, Ted Dallas, secretary of the Department of Human Services, told House lawmakers during a budget hearing Wednesday. This will leverage federal aid as well, he added.
N.J. allows sale of bankrupt Newark hospital to Prime | NJ.com
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's administration has approved Prime Healthcare's request to buy St. Michael's Medical Center in Newark, saving the nearly 150-year-old bankrupt institution from closing and preserving 1,400 jobs in one of the state's poorest cities.
Baylor the hospital teams up with Baylor the medical school | Dallas Morning News
The Baylor College of Medicine has the research capital and Baylor Scott & White has patients and experienced doctors. Together, the two will participate in a joint research program, studying cancer genomics, genetics and even heart disease.
CDC chief calls Zika in Puerto Rico a 'challenge and crisis' | Reuters
During a tour of Zika preparations in Puerto Rico, Dr. Thomas Frieden, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, called Zika a "tremendous challenge and crisis" and said protecting pregnant women from the virus is a top priority.
Mass. hospital affected by new legislation | ItemLive.com
Massachusetts healthcare workers testified Tuesday in favor of pricing reforms that they say will lower the costs for community hospitals and reduce insurance premiums for consumers. Proponents say the state's hospital reimbursement system is unfair because large medical centers, such as Partners HealthCare, receive up to 500 percent more in payments for the same services provided by smaller hospitals, such as Union Hospital.
