Your Weekly Dose of Health May 13, 2016
* Did you know your health insurance plan can change your prescription medication coverage mid-way through the coverage year? Click here to learn more about these negative mid-year formulary changes and find out how you can help stop them.
National News:
- In 2014, of all the children eligible for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) 91% were enrolled. That’s up from 88.7% in 2013 and 81.7% in 2008.
- The House of Representatives passed legislation to combat heroin and opioid addiction. But according to the article in Bloomberg, they didn’t fund the program.
- The FDA planning to review its official definition of the word “healthy”, and ask the public and health experts for comment. According to the current regulatory rules, pop-tarts are healthier than almonds, writes the Wall Street Journal.
State News:
- Governor Cuomo this week announced the creation of a statewide task force to fight heroin and opioid addiction. The task force will be comprised of experts in healthcare and drug policy, advocates, parents and people in recovery. Building on the state’s efforts so far to combat addiction, the group will develop a full and comprehensive action plan for the state moving forward.
- Legislators this week put together two separate assisted suicide bills into one omnibus bill called the Medical Aid in Dying Act.
City News:
- New York City Health and Hospitals CEO Dr. Ramanathan Raju answered questions from the city council on making the Health and Hospitals sustainable.
Upcoming Events:
- The United Hospital Fund is holding its annual Medicaid Conference on July 14th in New York City. Read more here.