Your Weekly Dose of Health August 26, 2016

** As you may be aware, step therapy, or “fail first” legislation, A.2834D (Titone) / S.3419C (Young), passed the NYS Senate and Assembly in the final week of the Legislative Session. Please take the time to call Governor Cuomo at 518-474-8390 and urge him to sign this legislation into law, as it’s in the best interest of New York patients and providers! Click here for more information on step therapy.

National News:

  • An article in the Wall Street Journal discusses the evolving state of health care under the Affordable Care Act. As the number of people qualifying for Medicare increases and the federal government expands Medicaid and subsidies for low income families, the middle class is paying more out of pocket for health insurance.
  • Seattle is considering ways to combat the heroin epidemic its communities. A task force has suggested setting up sites at which user can inject the drug in a controlled environment.

State News:

  • The Department of Health has recommended a number of changes to the state’s medical marijuana program meant to expand patient access.

City News:

  • New York City’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, along with the United Hospital Fund and the Population Health Improvement Program released a set of strategies to improve the medical home model of primary care in New York City.
  • In New York City, although the antidote for heroin overdose is widely available, relatively few staff members in the city’s homeless shelters have been trained in how to administer it, according to the New York Times.

Upcoming Events:

  • The United Hospital Fund is holding its 2016 Gala on September 26th at the Waldorf-Astoria. See more here.
  • The New York Academy of Sciences is hosting a conference on September 16th regarding the ethics and value of big data for obesity research.
  • Philanthropy New York is hosting an event on September 27th about the challenges of the current health care work force.
  • Click here for upcoming meetings, hearings and events from the state Department of Health.