Thursday, May 29, 2014

Scientists See Environmental Changes to Genes in Kids With Autism

Scientists See Environmental Changes to Genes in Kids With Autism

U.S. Measles Cases at 20-Year High

U.S. Measles Cases at 20-Year High

DFCS caseloads soar as reinforcements on way | Georgia Health News

DFCS caseloads soar as reinforcements on way | Georgia Health News

Obama to Host Concussions Meeting - NYTimes.com

Obama to Host Concussions Meeting - NYTimes.com

School cafeteria food fight becomes an all-out food war

School cafeteria food fight becomes an all-out food war

Georgia Looks To Reopen Some Closed Rural Hospitals As E.R.s - Kaiser Health News

Georgia Looks To Reopen Some Closed Rural Hospitals As E.R.s - Kaiser Health News

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Mediterranean Diet May Keep Kids Slimmer

Mediterranean Diet May Keep Kids Slimmer

U.S. Teens' Cardiorespiratory Fitness Has Dropped in Last Decade: Report

U.S. Teens' Cardiorespiratory Fitness Has Dropped in Last Decade: Report

Can Fire Retardants Raise Risk of Children Born With Lower IQs?

Can Fire Retardants Raise Risk of Children Born With Lower IQs?

Ga. moves forward on medicinal marijuana study | www.wsbtv.com

Ga. moves forward on medicinal marijuana study | www.wsbtv.com

State disputes report of big jump in Medicaid | Georgia Health News

State disputes report of big jump in Medicaid | Georgia Health News

Healthcare Reform Update: Actuarial study could affect Medicaid managed-care rates | Modern Healthcare

Healthcare Reform Update: Actuarial study could affect Medicaid managed-care rates | Modern Healthcare

Georgia's Latest Teacher Problem: A Lawsuit Over Health Insurance


Georgia's Latest Teacher Problem: A Lawsuit Over Health Insurance
BY MCCLATCHY NEWS | MAY 23, 2014
By James Salzer
The state is overcharging thousands of teachers, state employees and retirees for their health insurance, according to a class-action lawsuit filed against the Georgia Department of Community Health.
A. Lee Parks, one of the lawyers who filed the suit in Fulton County Superior Court, said the state is overcharging many of the 650,000 members of the State Health Benefit Plan, which has been a political headache for Gov. Nathan Deal and the DCH for almost a year.
Parks estimates that plan members have been paying more than $10 million a month in excess health insurance premiums since the agency made changes in January aimed at placating teachers, employees and retirees. The changes were made after plan members complained that the state was trying to save $200 million a year in part by charging them much higher out-of-pocket costs for health care.
The DCH's changes resulted in lower out-of-pocket costs, but they left some members paying much higher rates while getting the same coverage as members paying much lower premiums.
Those paying the higher premiums still have lower deductibles for their coverage, but they say much of what they pay for standard health care doesn't go toward those deductibles. Some teachers and retirees said they should have been allowed to sign up for the lower-cost plan once the DCH made the coverage fixes in January.
A DCH spokeswoman said the agency does not comment on pending litigation.
The $3 billion-a-year insurance plan has been a hot topic since last summer, when the contract to manage the program for 2014 was awarded to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia. That prompted one of the companies that had been managing the plan, UnitedHealthcare, to sue the state, arguing that the DCH had resorted to "state-sponsored bid-rigging" to steer the contract to Blue Cross and Blue Shield.
To save money, the state limited the insurance offerings to three plans, with different deductibles and premiums, along with higher out-of-pocket costs.
Once those higher costs started kicking in, teachers, state employees and retirees revolted, forcing Deal and the DCH to backtrack and add back lower co-payments for services, costing more than $100 million.
By doing so, the lawsuit says, the state made all three plans similar. But the premiums didn't change, so those in the highest level plan paid more than twice as much as the lowest-cost plan. The difference for family coverage for an employee runs as high as $279.44 per month, the lawsuit said.
"Their explanation so far is, 'we have the right to change benefits,' " Parks said. "It is kind of like, I want a premium package on my new Ford, and they say it will cost $2,000. You pay the money, but you don't get the package."
News of the lawsuit was posted this week on the Facebook page of the 15,000-member Teachers Rally Against Georgia Insurance Changes, or TRAGIC.
"We are pleased that State Health Benefit Plan members took it upon themselves to initiate a class-action lawsuit regarding the upheaval in our benefits this year," said Ashley Cline, the wife of aCherokee County science teacher and founder of the group.
"While TRAGIC did not originate the lawsuit, we will certainly communicate important news and information to all of our members as this affects many of us enrolled in the State Health Benefit Plan," she added. "Feedback from TRAGIC members has been very positive so far, and many members are grateful that someone is taking action on their behalf in an attempt to rectify this situation."

Medicaid surge triggers cost concerns for states


Medicaid surge triggers cost concerns for states
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By RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR

WASHINGTON (AP) — From California to Rhode Island, states are confronting new concerns that their Medicaid costs will rise as a result of the federal health care law.

That's likely to revive the debate about how federal decisions can saddle states with unanticipated expenses.

Before President Barack Obama's law expanded Medicaid eligibility, millions of people who were already entitled to its safety-net coverage were not enrolled. Those same people are now signing up in unexpectedly high numbers, partly because of publicity about getting insured under the law.
For states red or blue, the catch is that they must use more of their own money to cover this particular group.

In California, Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown's recent budget projected an additional $1.2 billion spending on Medi-Cal, the state's version of Medicaid, due in part to surging numbers. State officials say about 300,000 more already-eligible Californians are expected to enroll than was estimated last fall.

"Our policy goal is to get people covered, so in that sense it's a success," said state legislator Richard Pan, a Democrat who heads the California State Assembly's health committee. "We are going to have to deal with how to support the success."

Online exchanges that offer subsidized private insurance are just one part of the health care law's push to expand coverage. The other part is Medicaid, and it has two components.

First, the law allows states to expand Medicaid eligibility to people with incomes up to 138 percent of the federal poverty line, about $16,100 for an individual. Washington pays the entire cost for that group through 2016, gradually phasing down to a 90 percent share. About half the states have accepted the offer to expand coverage in this way.

But whether or not a state expands Medicaid, all states are on the hook for a significantly bigger share of costs when it comes to people who were Medicaid-eligible under previous law. The federal government's share for this group averages about 60 percent nationally. In California, it's about a 50-50 split, so for each previously eligible resident who signs up, the state has to pony up half the cost.
There could be many reasons why people didn't sign up in the past.

They may have simply been unaware. Some may not have needed coverage. Others see a social stigma attached to the program for those with the lowest incomes. But now virtually everyone in the country is required to have coverage or risk fines. That's more motivation to come forward.
"It's not a bad thing that we are opening a door that should have been open before," said Judy Solomon of the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, which advocates for the poor.
The budget consequences are real.

"Clearly we are going to need to do our best to make sure we are working within the budget we are given," said Deidre GiffordRhode Island's Medicaid director.

States always expected that some previously eligible people would sign up, but Gifford said her state enrolled 5,000 to 6,000 more than it had projected.

In Washington state, people who were previously eligible represent about one-third of new Medicaid enrollments, roughly 165,000 out of a total of nearly 483,000. But state officials say they are treating that as a preliminary number, and the true net increase may be lower once they factor in people who drop out of the program for a host of reasons, such as getting a job with coverage.

Governors in CaliforniaRhode Island, and Washington all strongly supported the health care law. Their outreach campaigns to promote sign-ups overall probably contributed to drawing out uninsured residents who already were entitled to Medicaid.

But researchers also are seeing increased Medicaid enrollment in states that have resisted the health care law.

A recent report from the market research firm Avalere Health found Georgia enrollment increased by nearly 6 percent. Montana saw a 10 percent rise and South Carolina 5 percent. A big exception is Texas, which has barely seen any increase.

"Anyone who didn't budget for this is going to be behind the eight ball," said Avalere CEO Dan Mendelson. "It's the kind of thing governors will want to discuss with the White House."
When the health care law was being debated in Congress, many states recognized they might face a problem if droves of already-eligible people joined Medicaid. States lobbied federal lawmakers — unsuccessfully — to get more money for that group, said Ray Scheppach, the former top staffer for the National Governors Association.

"States are concerned about this," he said. "It's something they had been worried about right along."

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Cyberbullying Knows No Socio-economic Bounds

Cyberbullying Knows No Socio-economic Bounds

Brain Changes May Accompany Type 1 Diabetes Diagnosis in Kids

Brain Changes May Accompany Type 1 Diabetes Diagnosis in Kids

Iodine Deficiency Common in Pregnancy, Pediatricians Warn

Iodine Deficiency Common in Pregnancy, Pediatricians Warn

Hospitals Look to Health Law, Cutting Charity - NYTimes.com

Hospitals Look to Health Law, Cutting Charity - NYTimes.com

First lady gets moving against House measure to let school districts duck lunch mandates - The Washington Post

First lady gets moving against House measure to let school districts duck lunch mandates - The Washington Post

Safety Net Hospitals Already Seeing More Paying Patients — And Revenue - Kaiser Health News

Safety Net Hospitals Already Seeing More Paying Patients — And Revenue - Kaiser Health News

No cure-all for what ails Georgia’s rural hospitals | www.myajc.com

No cure-all for what ails Georgia’s rural hospitals | www.myajc.com

Thursday, May 22, 2014

Cheaper Food May Be Fueling U.S. Obesity Epidemic

Cheaper Food May Be Fueling U.S. Obesity Epidemic

Costs a Barrier to Asthma Care for Some Kids

Costs a Barrier to Asthma Care for Some Kids

Ga. officials launching child car safety campaign | www.wsbtv.com

Ga. officials launching child car safety campaign | www.wsbtv.com

Poll: Yes To Medical Marijuana, Not So Much For Recreational Pot : Shots - Health News : NPR

Poll: Yes To Medical Marijuana, Not So Much For Recreational Pot : Shots - Health News : NPR

Home cooking: Schools put new emphasis on locally grown lunches | Georgia Health News

Home cooking: Schools put new emphasis on locally grown lunches | Georgia Health News

Special legislative session for Medicaid expansion, other issues?

Special legislative session for Medicaid expansion, other issues?

Governor’s PAC sponsors Medicaid poll - Richmond Times-Dispatch: Richmond News, Crime & Politics

Governor’s PAC sponsors Medicaid poll - Richmond Times-Dispatch: Richmond News, Crime & Politics

The Politics Of Health In 2014 Aren’t What You Think - Kaiser Health News

The Politics Of Health In 2014 Aren’t What You Think - Kaiser Health News

Burwell gets committee approval for health post | www.ajc.com

Burwell gets committee approval for health post | www.ajc.com

It’s extra innings for several Georgia congressional races | www.myajc.com

It’s extra innings for several Georgia congressional races | www.myajc.com

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

New gun law does not pertain to many campsites | www.wsbtv.com

New gun law does not pertain to many campsites | www.wsbtv.com

Women with diabetes 'less likely to breastfeed' - Medical News Today

Women with diabetes 'less likely to breastfeed' - Medical News Today

Jury Still Out on Whether Doctors Should Screen for Suicide Risk

Jury Still Out on Whether Doctors Should Screen for Suicide Risk

Pence promotes alternative health care proposal - The Washington Post

Pence promotes alternative health care proposal - The Washington Post

Patients Lose When Doctors Can't Do Good Physical Exams - Kaiser Health News

Patients Lose When Doctors Can't Do Good Physical Exams - Kaiser Health News

Monday, May 19, 2014

Sports Injuries Can Damage Kidneys, Study Finds

Sports Injuries Can Damage Kidneys, Study Finds

Children's Asthma Linked to Air Pollution in 2nd Trimester: Study

Children's Asthma Linked to Air Pollution in 2nd Trimester: Study

More Evidence Ties Poor Sleep to Obesity in Kids

More Evidence Ties Poor Sleep to Obesity in Kids

Delaying Measles-Related Vaccines May Raise Seizure Risk: Study

Delaying Measles-Related Vaccines May Raise Seizure Risk: Study

Health, wellness push pervades in policy proposal | Henry Daily Herald

Health, wellness push pervades in policy proposal | Henry Daily Herald

Ohio bill revises rules for physician assistants | Modern Healthcare

Ohio bill revises rules for physician assistants | Modern Healthcare

Texas Nurse Practitioners Look to Ease Supervision Rules - Kaiser Health News

Texas Nurse Practitioners Look to Ease Supervision Rules - Kaiser Health News

Study: Limited Competition Raised Obamacare Prices – Capsules - The KHN Blog

Study: Limited Competition Raised Obamacare Prices – Capsules - The KHN Blog

Gaps In Kids' Dental Coverage A Trouble Spot - Kaiser Health News

Gaps In Kids' Dental Coverage A Trouble Spot - Kaiser Health News

The free-market doctors' rebellion | Kyle Wingfield | www.ajc.com

The free-market doctors' rebellion | Kyle Wingfield | www.ajc.com

Thursday, May 15, 2014

Bariatric surgery prevents obese patients from developing atrial fibrillation - Medical News Today

Bariatric surgery prevents obese patients from developing atrial fibrillation - Medical News Today

Another Downside to Obesity for Teens: Fewer Friends

Another Downside to Obesity for Teens: Fewer Friends

Concussion Rates Double Among High School Athletes: Report

Concussion Rates Double Among High School Athletes: Report

DFCS: 30,000 Backlogged Food Stamp Cases Cleared | WABE 90.1 FM

DFCS: 30,000 Backlogged Food Stamp Cases Cleared | WABE 90.1 FM

Some Babies "Bounce Back" from Autism Indicators | WABE 90.1 FM

Some Babies "Bounce Back" from Autism Indicators | WABE 90.1 FM

ACA likely to dominate race for insurance post | Georgia Health News

ACA likely to dominate race for insurance post | Georgia Health News

UnitedHealth Leads Plan to Reveal Health Prices to Consumers - Bloomberg

UnitedHealth Leads Plan to Reveal Health Prices to Consumers - Bloomberg

Pennsylvania's Medicaid Expansion To Require 723 New Workers - Kaiser Health News

Pennsylvania's Medicaid Expansion To Require 723 New Workers - Kaiser Health News

Health secretary nominee faces cordial senators | www.ajc.com

Health secretary nominee faces cordial senators | www.ajc.com

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

FDA Asks Public to Join Battle Against Smoking by Children

FDA Asks Public to Join Battle Against Smoking by Children

Early Repetitive Behaviors May Signal Autism Risk

Early Repetitive Behaviors May Signal Autism Risk

Rural hospital may be on the comeback trail | Georgia Health News

Rural hospital may be on the comeback trail | Georgia Health News

TB hits Atlanta homeless; Ga. has brush with MERS | Georgia Health News

TB hits Atlanta homeless; Ga. has brush with MERS | Georgia Health News

Dayton signs bill giving some nurses more authority | Minnesota Public Radio News

Dayton signs bill giving some nurses more authority | Minnesota Public Radio News

For Medicaid Patients, Access To Primary-Care May Not Be As Advertised - Kaiser Health News

For Medicaid Patients, Access To Primary-Care May Not Be As Advertised - Kaiser Health News

Medicaid sign-ups surge in Georgia, report finds | www.ajc.com

Medicaid sign-ups surge in Georgia, report finds | www.ajc.com

Consumers losing doctors with new insurance plans | www.ajc.com

Consumers losing doctors with new insurance plans | www.ajc.com

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Simple paper test can help identify depressed teenagers - Medical News Today

Simple paper test can help identify depressed teenagers - Medical News Today

Timing Influences Risk of Complications From Circumcision: Study

Timing Influences Risk of Complications From Circumcision: Study

Adult Health Better for Bullies Than Their Victims: Study

Adult Health Better for Bullies Than Their Victims: Study

Music May Benefit Your Brain

Music May Benefit Your Brain

Trend reversal: More nurse practitioners work in primary care - FierceHealthcare

Trend reversal: More nurse practitioners work in primary care - FierceHealthcare

CMS to restructure QIO program - FierceHealthcare

CMS to restructure QIO program - FierceHealthcare

CDC Confirms Second MERS Case In U.S., Says Traveler Came Through Atlanta | WABE 90.1 FM

CDC Confirms Second MERS Case In U.S., Says Traveler Came Through Atlanta | WABE 90.1 FM

Monday, May 12, 2014

Breastfeeding helps children grow friendly gut bacteria - Medical News Today

Breastfeeding helps children grow friendly gut bacteria - Medical News Today

More Women Delaying First Pregnancy: CDC

More Women Delaying First Pregnancy: CDC

Smoking More Likely Among Teens Whose Parents Light Up

Smoking More Likely Among Teens Whose Parents Light Up

Latest partnership reflects trend in urgent care | Georgia Health News

Latest partnership reflects trend in urgent care | Georgia Health News

Drunk Driving Remains a Threat to Children in U.S.

Drunk Driving Remains a Threat to Children in U.S.

What Surge? Nation’s Primary Care System Holding Up Well So Far Under Obamacare - Kaiser Health News

What Surge? Nation’s Primary Care System Holding Up Well So Far Under Obamacare - Kaiser Health News

New AJC poll shows voters disapprove of Georgia’s new gun law | www.ajc.com

New AJC poll shows voters disapprove of Georgia’s new gun law | www.ajc.com

Kids' Concussion Symptoms Can Linger Long After Injury: Study

Kids' Concussion Symptoms Can Linger Long After Injury: Study

Hospitals perform too many C-sections - FierceHealthcare

Hospitals perform too many C-sections - FierceHealthcare

USDA hands down new rules limiting junk food sales for school groups

USDA hands down new rules limiting junk food sales for school groups

Enrollee surge due soon for Medicaid, PeachCare | Georgia Health News

Enrollee surge due soon for Medicaid, PeachCare | Georgia Health News

Community Health Centers and Their Patients Take a Big Hit in Medicaid Opt-Out States, Report Says « news@JAMA

Community Health Centers and Their Patients Take a Big Hit in Medicaid Opt-Out States, Report Says « news@JAMA

IRS Urged To Broaden Preventive Coverage In High-Deductible Plans – Capsules - The KHN Blog

IRS Urged To Broaden Preventive Coverage In High-Deductible Plans – Capsules - The KHN Blog

States’ Medicaid Decisions Leave Health Centers, Patients In Lurch – Capsules - The KHN Blog

States’ Medicaid Decisions Leave Health Centers, Patients In Lurch – Capsules - The KHN Blog

Thursday, May 8, 2014

Add Heart Test to High School Athletes' Screening, Cardiologists Say

Add Heart Test to High School Athletes' Screening, Cardiologists Say

CDC Targets 5 Parasitic Infections

CDC Targets 5 Parasitic Infections

Climate Change Will Make Breathing in Summer Harder: Study

Climate Change Will Make Breathing in Summer Harder: Study

USDA praises menu offered by Gainesville schools

USDA praises menu offered by Gainesville schools

Health Services Nominee Questioned and Praised at Senate Hearing - NYTimes.com

Health Services Nominee Questioned and Praised at Senate Hearing - NYTimes.com

Arizona Offers ‘Sneak Peak’ At Costs Of Shifting Kids Off CHIP – Capsules - The KHN Blog

Arizona Offers ‘Sneak Peak’ At Costs Of Shifting Kids Off CHIP – Capsules - The KHN Blog

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Little Cigars Liked by Teens Are Still 'Candy-Flavored Tobacco': Report

Little Cigars Liked by Teens Are Still 'Candy-Flavored Tobacco': Report

E-Cigarette Vapor Contains Potentially Harmful Particles: Review

E-Cigarette Vapor Contains Potentially Harmful Particles: Review

Nicotine Poisoning of Infant Highlights 'E-Cig' Dangers, Docs Report

Nicotine Poisoning of Infant Highlights 'E-Cig' Dangers, Docs Report

Georgia a focus of maternal death project | Georgia Health News

Georgia a focus of maternal death project | Georgia Health News

Insurers Say Most Who Signed Up Under Health Law Have Paid Up - NYTimes.com

Insurers Say Most Who Signed Up Under Health Law Have Paid Up - NYTimes.com

Diabetes rates skyrocket in kids and teens

Diabetes rates skyrocket in kids and teens

Preventing Dental Caries in Kids | dailyRx

Preventing Dental Caries in Kids | dailyRx

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Could Energy Drinks Be Wrong Choice for Some Teens?

Could Energy Drinks Be Wrong Choice for Some Teens?

Mom-to-Be's TV Habits Might Affect Her Child's Weight: Study

Mom-to-Be's TV Habits Might Affect Her Child's Weight: Study

ACP: Physician leadership linked to organizational success - FierceHealthcare

ACP: Physician leadership linked to organizational success - FierceHealthcare

Baby safety gates not always safe, study finds

Baby safety gates not always safe, study finds

A delicate dance for Gov. Nathan Deal’s election bid | www.myajc.com

A delicate dance for Gov. Nathan Deal’s election bid | www.myajc.com

Kids' Diabetes Rates Up Dramatically in 8 Years, Study Finds

Kids' Diabetes Rates Up Dramatically in 8 Years, Study Finds

Despite Childhood Obesity Epidemic, Few Kids Tested for Cholesterol

Despite Childhood Obesity Epidemic, Few Kids Tested for Cholesterol

Disease Outbreaks May Not Change Minds of Vaccine Opponents

Disease Outbreaks May Not Change Minds of Vaccine Opponents

Kids With ADHD May Also Suffer Family Troubles

Kids With ADHD May Also Suffer Family Troubles

Skills Like Walking, Talking Don't Come Easily for Minority Kids With Autism

Skills Like Walking, Talking Don't Come Easily for Minority Kids With Autism

Doctors Should Give Toddlers Fluoride Treatments: U.S. Task Force

Doctors Should Give Toddlers Fluoride Treatments: U.S. Task Force

Atlanta No. 13 on list “Top 100 Asthma Capitals for 2014” - Atlanta Business Chronicle

Atlanta No. 13 on list “Top 100 Asthma Capitals for 2014” - Atlanta Business Chronicle

Health care’s $85 billion challenge – uncompensated care in the Obamacare age

Health care’s $85 billion challenge – uncompensated care in the Obamacare age

Vulnerable Democratic Sen. Hagan runs anti-Obamacare ad against GOP challenger - The Washington Post

Vulnerable Democratic Sen. Hagan runs anti-Obamacare ad against GOP challenger - The Washington Post

Friday, May 2, 2014

Limiting media devices for young children - Medical News Today

Limiting media devices for young children - Medical News Today

Psst, Girls Have Been Better Students Than Boys for Decades

<i>Psst</i>, Girls Have Been Better Students Than Boys for Decades

Helmets Not Helpful for Babies With 'Flat Head' Syndrome: Study

Helmets Not Helpful for Babies With 'Flat Head' Syndrome: Study

For Newly Insured Under Obamacare, a Steep Learning Curve

For Newly Insured Under Obamacare, a Steep Learning Curve

New price transparency rules for hospitals | TheHill

New price transparency rules for hospitals | TheHill

State’s final exchange sign-ups surprisingly high | Georgia Health News

State’s final exchange sign-ups surprisingly high | Georgia Health News