Thursday, January 31, 2019
Sen. Ben Watson column: Historic start to 2019 Georgia legislative session
Sen. Ben Watson column: Historic start to 2019 Georgia legislative session: The beginning of the 2019 legislative session was a historic one, with the swearing-in of Georgia’s 83rd governor, Brian Kemp, who has outlined a plan to continue the progress our state has made under Gov. Nathan Deal.On a personal note, as we quickly got down to business, I was humbled to be appointed to serve as chairman of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, a legislative body that will address issues close to my heart as a physician, legislator, husband and father. I am
Climate Change Could Bring More Infant Heart Defects: Study
Climate Change Could Bring More Infant Heart Defects: Study: Climate change could lead to more U.S. babies born with congenital heart defects, researchers say.
Vaping Tied to Rise in Stroke, Heart Attack Risk
Vaping Tied to Rise in Stroke, Heart Attack Risk: People who vape might increase their odds of suffering a stroke, heart attack or heart disease, a new study suggests.
Anthem launching its PBM nine months early in Q2 - Modern Healthcare
Anthem launching its PBM nine months early in Q2 - Modern Healthcare: Anthem will terminate its current pharmacy benefit manager contract with Express Scripts early and transition plan members to its new in-house PBM after it launches earlier than planned.
Wednesday, January 30, 2019
Prophylaxis for Gonococcal Eye Infections in Newborns Advised
Prophylaxis for Gonococcal Eye Infections in Newborns Advised: USPSTF reaffirms use of antibiotic ointment to prevent gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum
Washington measles cases rise, leading to a state of emergency - CNN
Washington measles cases rise, leading to a state of emergency - CNN: As of Monday, there are 36 confirmed cases of measles in Washington state. Gov. Jay Inslee has already declared a state of emergency.
Opioid Danger to Newborns Varies By Region
Opioid Danger to Newborns Varies By Region: Areas of the United States with high unemployment and few mental health services have higher rates of newborns who were exposed to opioids in the womb, a new study finds.
Idaho Supreme Court hears Medicaid expansion arguments - Modern Healthcare
Idaho Supreme Court hears Medicaid expansion arguments - Modern Healthcare: The arguments for or against Medicaid expansion in Idaho have typically fallen along ideological lines, something not lost on the justices. More than 60% of Idaho voters passed an initaitive to expand the program in November.
Medicare may extend value-based pay models to other insurers - Modern Healthcare
Medicare may extend value-based pay models to other insurers - Modern Healthcare: The CMS is creating templates and other tools to get states to incorporate upcoming value-based payment models. If other payers sign up, then CMS Administrator Seema Verma hopes more providers will participate.
Three confirmed cases of measles in Georgia
Three confirmed cases of measles in Georgia: Georgia health officials on Tuesday confirmed three cases of measles, all within the same metro Atlanta family.
Tuesday, January 29, 2019
Pediatricians Push for Laws to Prevent Teen Vaping
Pediatricians Push for Laws to Prevent Teen Vaping: Strong limits on marketing and sales are needed to control and prevent teens' use of electronic cigarettes, a new American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) policy statement says.
Many Parents Conflicted About Opioids for Their Teens' Pain
Many Parents Conflicted About Opioids for Their Teens' Pain: American parents aren't sure whether their teen and young adult children should be prescribed opioid painkillers, and many don't know there are other ways to get pain relief, a new survey finds.
As More U.S. Homes Have Handguns, Child Deaths Rise
As More U.S. Homes Have Handguns, Child Deaths Rise: More U.S. families with young children are buying handguns -- and that might help explain a recent spike in firearm deaths, a new study suggests.
Too Much Screen Time a Damper on Child's Development
Too Much Screen Time a Damper on Child's Development: Young children spend a lot of time fiddling with smartphones, tapping away at tablets and staring at TV screens.
Still Too Few Teens Getting the HPV Vaccine
Still Too Few Teens Getting the HPV Vaccine: HPV vaccination rates for younger American adolescents are alarmingly low, researchers say.
Monday, January 28, 2019
The Jolt: Georgia could model a larger Medicaid program after Indiana&rsquo...
The Jolt: Georgia could model a larger Medicaid program after Indiana&rsquo...: It was only a single paragraph, but the new chairman of the state Senate Health Committee late...
Head Injuries Common in E-Scooter Accidents | Medpage Today
Head Injuries Common in E-Scooter Accidents | Medpage Today: Are shared scooters a new public health concern?
Rep. Scott sponsors legislation to require local schools to screen for dyslexia | Features | henryherald.com
Rep. Scott sponsors legislation to require local schools to screen for dyslexia | Features | henryherald.com: State Representative Sandra Scott (D-Rex) recently introduced House Bill 40, which would require local school systems to conduct screenings for dyslexia.
DFCS vows policy change after children are found buried
DFCS vows policy change after children are found buried: Elwyn "JR" Crocker Jr. and his younger sister Mary were found buried in the back yard of their family's Effingham County home
More Gun Owners, Higher Risk of Youth Suicides?
More Gun Owners, Higher Risk of Youth Suicides?: Youth suicide rates are higher in U.S. states with greater rates of homes containing guns, a new study finds.
Tight Budgets Slow Medicaid Plans' Pursuit Of Social Determinants Of Health
Tight Budgets Slow Medicaid Plans' Pursuit Of Social Determinants Of Health: Hurdles remain for Medicaid health plans as they work to address social determinants of health, a new report from The Institute for Medicaid Innovation shows.
Medicaid patients least likely to be accepted by doctors - Modern Healthcare
Medicaid patients least likely to be accepted by doctors - Modern Healthcare: Office-based doctors are accepting new Medicaid patients at a lower rate compared with Medicare and private insurance, according to a new MACPAC study.
Friday, January 25, 2019
Study Confirms Steady Rise in U.S. School Shootings
Study Confirms Steady Rise in U.S. School Shootings: School shootings have become much deadlier in recent decades, a new government report shows.
Thursday, January 24, 2019
Kids Exposed to Lead at Higher Odds for Mental Health Issues Later
Kids Exposed to Lead at Higher Odds for Mental Health Issues Later: Childhood lead exposure may trigger the development of long-term mental health problems, new research suggests.
Wednesday, January 23, 2019
Forecast: Georgia economy slowing but 'quite positive'
Forecast: Georgia economy slowing but 'quite positive': An economist tells state lawmakers that Georgia’s economy continues to grow, despite a few signs of problems nationally and internationally.
Why Cigna is looking to subscription boxes as inspiration for addressing childhood hunger | FierceHealthcare
Why Cigna is looking to subscription boxes as inspiration for addressing childhood hunger | FierceHealthcare: Cigna’s new program aimed at addressing childhood hunger may soon look a lot like popular food subscriptions.
FDA threatens to pull e-cigarettes off the market | TheHill
FDA threatens to pull e-cigarettes off the market | TheHill: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says that e-cigarettes face an uncertain future in U.S. markets unless youth smoking rates drop over the next year.
Virginia considers hiking the smoking and vaping age to 21 - The Washington Post
Virginia considers hiking the smoking and vaping age to 21 - The Washington Post: Prominent legislators and Richmond-based Altria are on board with the bills.
Acute Flaccid Myelitis | AFM Surveillance | CDC
Acute Flaccid Myelitis | AFM Surveillance | CDC: Investigation of acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) in U.S. children, 2014-2016.
PhRMA spent a record $27.5 million on lobbying in 2018 - STAT
PhRMA spent a record $27.5 million on lobbying in 2018 - STAT: The lobbying group for drug makers spent more on its efforts to lobby Congress and the Trump administration in 2018 than it's ever spent in a single year.
Tuesday, January 22, 2019
Winter Safety Tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics
Winter Safety Tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics: Tips for keeping child safe outside during the winter
WellStar/Anthem dispute could mean some patients will be out of network | News | mdjonline.com
WellStar/Anthem dispute could mean some patients will be out of network | News | mdjonline.com: MARIETTA —The largest healthcare system in Georgia is having a spat with the state’s biggest health insurance company, and it could mean bad news for some patients who purchased insurance
FDA gets closer to making naloxone available over the counter - Modern Healthcare
FDA gets closer to making naloxone available over the counter - Modern Healthcare: The Food and Drug Administration is preparing to allow the over-the-counter purchase of the drug overdose-reversal medication naloxone in an effort to expand greater access to the lifesaving drug.
Opioid deaths linked to drug marketing to physicians, study - Modern Healthcare
Opioid deaths linked to drug marketing to physicians, study - Modern Healthcare: New research shows a link between increased opioid marketing to physicians and higher opioid prescribing rates and elevated overdose deaths in the U.S. It's one of the first studies to make that link.
Senate health committee leaders introduce key funding bill - Modern Healthcare
Senate health committee leaders introduce key funding bill - Modern Healthcare: Senate health committee GOP Chair Lamar Alexander and top Democrat Patty Murray introduced five-year funding for community health centers and other key healthcare funding under the panel's jurisdiction.
Monday, January 21, 2019
Ask about family military service, says new AAP guidance | MDedge Pediatrics
Ask about family military service, says new AAP guidance | MDedge Pediatrics: Knowing a family’s military status lets clinicians make connections to important resources.
Poll: Georgians obey distracted driving law most of the time
Poll: Georgians obey distracted driving law most of the time: But a significant number say they seldom or never obey the law.
Children's Hospital Colorado and CareDox partner on in-school pediatric asthma management | FierceHealthcare
Children's Hospital Colorado and CareDox partner on in-school pediatric asthma management | FierceHealthcare: CareDox and Children's Hospital Colorado are betting on the increasing role of schools in healthcare by taking an in-school asthma management program nationwide. It could save lives and save the system a lot of money, they said.
Movie Violence Doesn't Make Kids Violent, Study Finds
Movie Violence Doesn't Make Kids Violent, Study Finds: Parents often worry that violent movies can trigger violence in their kids, but a new study suggests PG-13-rated movies won't turn your kids into criminals.
Friday, January 18, 2019
Antibiotics Still Misused in Babies With Viral Lung Infections
Antibiotics Still Misused in Babies With Viral Lung Infections: U.S. emergency rooms routinely prescribe antibiotics to babies with the common viral lung infection bronchiolitis, counter to recommendations issued more than a decade ago, a new study finds.
Opioid Use in Pregnancy Tied to Severe Birth Defects
Opioid Use in Pregnancy Tied to Severe Birth Defects: More American infants are being born with their intestines outside of their bodies, and the disturbing trend might be linked to the opioid crisis, health officials reported Thursday.
Children's Hospital Colorado and CareDox partner on in-school pediatric asthma management | FierceHealthcare
Children's Hospital Colorado and CareDox partner on in-school pediatric asthma management | FierceHealthcare: CareDox and Children's Hospital Colorado are betting on the increasing role of schools in healthcare by taking an in-school asthma management program nationwide. It could save lives and save the system a lot of money, they said.
Secretive ‘Rebate Trap’ Keeps Generic Drugs For Diabetes And Other Ills Out Of Reach | Kaiser Health News
Secretive ‘Rebate Trap’ Keeps Generic Drugs For Diabetes And Other Ills Out Of Reach | Kaiser Health News: Patients are often forced into using brand names because drug formularies favor them over cheaper competitors.
Thursday, January 17, 2019
Maryland lawmaker Mike McKay wants to use a mobile phone app to protect babies born to drug addicts - The Washington Post
Maryland lawmaker Mike McKay wants to use a mobile phone app to protect babies born to drug addicts - The Washington Post: A Maryland lawmaker says the “I’m Still Alive” app could prevent neglect. But medical professionals are wary.
Sacklers Directed Efforts to Mislead Public About OxyContin, New Documents Indicate - The New York Times
Sacklers Directed Efforts to Mislead Public About OxyContin, New Documents Indicate - The New York Times: Members of the Sackler family, which owns the company that makes OxyContin, directed years of efforts to mislead doctors and patients about the dangers of the powerful opioid painkiller
Government shutdown could snarl second lawsuit over Kentucky's Medicaid work requirements | FierceHealthcare
Government shutdown could snarl second lawsuit over Kentucky's Medicaid work requirements | FierceHealthcare: Kentucky residents have once again sued the Trump administration to block the state’s Medicaid work requirements—but the ongoing government shutdown could drag out the case.
Medicaid block grant waiver reports revive hospitals' funding worries - Modern Healthcare
Medicaid block grant waiver reports revive hospitals' funding worries - Modern Healthcare: The Trump administration is quietly considering allowing states to apply to convert their Medicaid programs into block grants that cap federal spending, which some experts say would lead to lower Medicaid payments for safety-net hospitals.
UnitedHealth loses appeal over underpayments - Modern Healthcare
UnitedHealth loses appeal over underpayments - Modern Healthcare: A federal appeals court unanimously ruled against UnitedHealth Group over the insurer withholding payments from out-of-network physicians and hospitals to compensate for previous overpayments.
Wednesday, January 16, 2019
House Dems announce sweeping investigation of drug pricing
House Dems announce sweeping investigation of drug pricing: WASHINGTON (AP) — House Democrats announced a sweeping investigation Monday of the pharmaceutical industry's pricing practices, jockeying for the upper hand with the Trump administration on an issue that concerns Americans across the political spectrum. Oversight and Reform Committee Chairman Elijah Cummings said he's sent letters to 12 major drugmakers seeking detailed information and documents about pricing practices for brand-name drugs to treat diseases including cancer, diabetes, kidney failure and nerve pain.
Insurers back CMS proposal to relax network adequacy rules for state Medicaid managed care programs | FierceHealthcare
Insurers back CMS proposal to relax network adequacy rules for state Medicaid managed care programs | FierceHealthcare: Insurance groups lauded a proposed move to give states more flexibility in determining network adequacy. However, they raised concerns about changes to federal rate setting standards.
UnitedHealth's revenue rises with more members, Optum growth - Modern Healthcare
UnitedHealth's revenue rises with more members, Optum growth - Modern Healthcare: UnitedHealth Group kicked off earnings season with higher fourth-quarter and full-year 2018 revenue thanks to strong results in both its insurance business, UnitedHealthcare, and health services subsidiary, Optum.
Plans, providers split on easing Medicaid network adequacy standards - Modern Healthcare
Plans, providers split on easing Medicaid network adequacy standards - Modern Healthcare: Health plans clashed with providers and consumers in their reactions to the CMS' proposal to give states more flexibility in regulating the adequacy of provider networks in Medicaid managed-care plans.
Tuesday, January 15, 2019
Many Teens, Young Adults Don't Get Private Time With Doctors
Many Teens, Young Adults Don't Get Private Time With Doctors: Having confidential talks with a health care provider is important for teens and young adults, but they rarely get the chance to do so, a new study finds.
Opioids Now More Deadly for Americans Than Traffic Accidents
Opioids Now More Deadly for Americans Than Traffic Accidents: For the first time in history, Americans' risk of dying from an opioid overdose is higher than their risk of dying in a car accident, the National Safety Council reported Monday.
More Evidence Pot May Damage the Teen Brain
More Evidence Pot May Damage the Teen Brain: Smoking just a couple of joints may cause significant changes in a teenager's brain structure, a new study has found.
Trump wants to bypass Congress on Medicaid plan - POLITICO
Trump wants to bypass Congress on Medicaid plan - POLITICO: Block grants for states would achieve conservative dream on health program for poor.
Providers Walk ‘Fine Line’ Between Informing And Scaring Immigrant Patients | Kaiser Health News
Providers Walk ‘Fine Line’ Between Informing And Scaring Immigrant Patients | Kaiser Health News: Some doctors and clinics are proactively informing patients about a proposed policy that could jeopardize the legal status of immigrants who use public benefit programs such as Medicaid. Others argue that because this “public charge” proposal isn’t final — and may never be adopted — disseminating too much information could create unnecessary alarm and cause some patients to drop benefits.
Health IT Roundup—Report to Congress from ONC finds too many interoperability hurdles | FierceHealthcare
Health IT Roundup—Report to Congress from ONC finds too many interoperability hurdles | FierceHealthcare: A new report from the Office of the National Coordinator raises concerns about lingering health IT barriers and more health IT headlines.
Medicare DSH formula comes to the Supreme Court - Modern Healthcare
Medicare DSH formula comes to the Supreme Court - Modern Healthcare: HHS and hospitals will argue before the U.S. Supreme Court this week over whether HHS violated the law when it recalculated the Medicare DSH payment formula without seeking public comment.
Monday, January 14, 2019
Prior authorization goes digital - Modern Healthcare
Prior authorization
goes digital - Modern Healthcare: Hoping to cut out some of the inefficiencies of prior authorization, payers and providers are trying digital versions of the process.
340B hospitals breathing easier under Dem-controlled House - Modern Healthcare
340B hospitals breathing easier under Dem-controlled House - Modern Healthcare: 340B proponents feel Democratic control of the House may have pivoted the conversation toward adding reporting and transparency requirements and away from cutting reimbursement.
Children's hospitals brace for fewer donors under tax reform - Modern Healthcare
Children's hospitals brace for fewer donors under tax reform - Modern Healthcare: Children's hospital administrators are concerned the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act could cut into their fundraising revenue by reducing the financial incentive to give to charities.
Hospitals push physicians to go in-network to prevent surprise bills - Modern Healthcare
Hospitals push physicians to go in-network to prevent surprise bills - Modern Healthcare: Some hospitals have turned to a bold strategy to prevent patients from receiving surprise medical bills from out-of-network providers: requiring in-hospital physicians to contract with the same insurers as the hospital.
Friday, January 11, 2019
How mother's flu affects newborn | newkerala.com #87348
How mother's flu affects newborn | newkerala.com #87348: Mothers-to-be, take note! An infant faces risks when born to women with influenza, finds a recent study.
Medicaid ‘Buy-In’ Could Be a New Health Care Option for the Uninsured | The Pew Charitable Trusts
Medicaid ‘Buy-In’ Could Be a New Health Care Option for the Uninsured | The Pew Charitable Trusts: The idea might appeal to people hard-pressed to pay for plans on the health care exchanges.
Scientists seek ways to finally take a real measure of pain - Modern Healthcare
Scientists seek ways to finally take a real measure of pain - Modern Healthcare: "If we can't measure pain, we can't fix it," said Dr. Julia Finkel, a pediatric anesthesiologist at Children's National Medical Center in Washington, who invented the experimental eye-tracking device.
Congress revives flurry of drug pricing legislation - Modern Healthcare Transformation Hub - Modern Healthcare
Congress revives flurry of drug pricing legislation - Modern Healthcare Transformation Hub - Modern Healthcare: The House Oversight Committee set a hearing on high drug prices for the end of January, and lawmakers this week rushed into the drug pricing debate. But the jury's still out on how aggressive Congress will get.
Verma: Chargemaster rule is 'first step' to price transparency - Modern Healthcare Transformation Hub - Modern Healthcare
Verma: Chargemaster rule is 'first step' to price transparency - Modern Healthcare Transformation Hub - Modern Healthcare: The CMS is working to improve a new rule requiring hospitals to post chargemaster prices on their websites after experts said the data wouldn't help consumers, Administrator Seema Verma said Thursday.
Medicaid Plans Cover Doctors’ Visits, Hospital Care — And Now Your GED | Kaiser Health News
Medicaid Plans Cover Doctors’ Visits, Hospital Care — And Now Your GED | Kaiser Health News: Editor’s note: Wellcare is one of the four Medicaid CMO’s in Georgia. These private insurers say improving education can help enrollees achieve a healthier lifestyle, so some pay for the tests and find ways to assist people studying for the exams.
Thursday, January 10, 2019
FDA employees think shutdown could be deadly - CNN
FDA employees think shutdown could be deadly - CNN: With about 41% of the US Food and Drug Administration off the job, some agency employees worry that the government shutdown could hurt the American public.
CVS expects to benefit from Aetna merger in first quarter - Modern Healthcare
CVS expects to benefit from Aetna merger in first quarter - Modern Healthcare: CVS Health leadership said despite a federal judge's ongoing review of the company's merger with Aetna, they are "one company" and expect benefits to begin accruing in the first quarter, with medical cost savings by the end of the year.
DSH: the brewing battle over billions that could get complicated - Modern Healthcare
DSH: the brewing battle over billions that could get complicated - Modern Healthcare: A proposal from Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) to redistribute DSH money more equitably among states has a short runway to get congressional support ahead of a key September deadline. Can it get there?
Wednesday, January 9, 2019
Health care could be big issue in Georgia Legislature
Health care could be big issue in Georgia Legislature: Two issues could dominate the health care debate during Georgia's legislative session this year: certificate of need regulation and Medicaid waivers.
Teens Who Hurt Themselves More Likely to Hurt Others
Teens Who Hurt Themselves More Likely to Hurt Others: Teens who harm themselves are three times more likely to commit violent crimes than those who don't, a new study reveals.
Friends' Vaping Could Pose Danger to Kids With Asthma
Friends' Vaping Could Pose Danger to Kids With Asthma: Add another danger that e-cigarettes pose to teenagers: A new study finds secondhand exposure to vaping may raise the chances of asthma attacks in adolescents with the respiratory condition.
Georgia parents struggle to raise mentally ill children | The Telegraph
Georgia parents struggle to raise mentally ill children | The Telegraph: Youth mental illness is on the rise nationwide. But parents say it’s hard to find help for their mentally ill children. Shortages of providers, resources and education plague parents in Georgia.
CMS taps Chris Traylor as top Medicaid director - Modern Healthcare
CMS taps Chris Traylor as top Medicaid director - Modern Healthcare: The CMS named Chris Traylor to lead federal Medicaid policy as acting director of the Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services.
Tuesday, January 8, 2019
College Students at Higher Risk for Serogroup B Meningococcal Disease
College Students at Higher Risk for Serogroup B Meningococcal Disease: College students ages 18-24 are at increased risk for serogroup B meningococcal disease when compared with non-college students.
Georgia creating more medical education positions, state report says
Georgia creating more medical education positions, state report says: More doctors and residency positions needed in rural Georgia
Medicaid plans cover doctor visits, hospital care—and now GEDs | FierceHealthcare
Medicaid plans cover doctor visits, hospital care—and now GEDs | FierceHealthcare: AmeriHealth Caritas, a Philadelphia-based insurer with 2 million Medicaid members in Pennsylvania and five other states, helps connect members with nonprofit groups providing GED test preparation classes, offers telephone coaching to keep members on track and pays the testing fees.
Georgia Lawmakers Recommend Steps To Address Dyslexia | 90.1 FM WABE
Georgia Lawmakers Recommend Steps To Address Dyslexia | 90.1 FM WABE: A Senate committee tasked with studying how to address dyslexia in schools has submitted its final report to the state legislature. Researchers at Yale University say the learning disability affects about one-in-five people. Students diagnosed with dyslexia often have trouble identifying sounds in words and
U.S. Leads Health Care Spending Among Richer Nations, But Gets Less
U.S. Leads Health Care Spending Among Richer Nations, But Gets Less: Higher costs, not better patient care, explain why the United States spends much more on health care than other developed countries, a new study indicates.
Providers see importance of VBC, but lag in preparation | Health Data Management
Providers see importance of VBC, but lag in preparation | Health Data Management: The vast majority of healthcare providers believe value-based care is a requirement for their future survival but only about half say they are ready for its successful adoption.
Monday, January 7, 2019
Decoding Newborn's DNA Could Pinpoint Hidden Risks
Decoding Newborn's DNA Could Pinpoint Hidden Risks: A program that maps out the genes of newborns has allowed researchers to identify risks for some inherited childhood conditions, many of which can be prevented.
Flu Widening Its Grip on the United States: CDC
Flu Widening Its Grip on the United States: CDC: The flu is now spreading throughout the United States, health officials said Friday.
College Students at Higher Risk for Serogroup B Meningococcal Disease
College Students at Higher Risk for Serogroup B Meningococcal Disease: College students ages 18-24 are at increased risk for serogroup B meningococcal disease when compared with non-college students.
Sunday, January 6, 2019
New Maine governor orders Medicaid expansion - Modern Healthcare
New Maine governor orders Medicaid expansion - Modern Healthcare: New Democratic Gov. Janet Mills signed an executive order on her first day in office to implement Maine's Medicaid expansion, which was overwhelmingly approved by the state's voters in 2017.
State policy experimentation could create uncertainty for providers - Modern Healthcare
State policy experimentation could create uncertainty for providers - Modern Healthcare: Health policy action in the states may depend as much on conflict or collaboration within each political party as on consensus between the parties.
Friday, January 4, 2019
Social determinants became mainstream in 2018, but it can't be just a fad | FierceHealthcare
Social determinants became mainstream in 2018, but it can't be just a fad | FierceHealthcare: Payers, providers and startup companies tackled food insecurity, reliable transportation, affordable housing and more this year. But much remains to be done in 2019 and beyond.
The Skinny on Schools' Efforts to Promote Healthy Eating
The Skinny on Schools' Efforts to Promote Healthy Eating: Schools that promote healthy eating may reduce kids' risk of obesity, new research finds.
Lawmakers question if nonprofit hospitals serve communities
Lawmakers question if nonprofit hospitals serve communities: A legislative group says nonprofit hospitals should provide more information on executive pay and indigent care
State of Georgia, Mexican consulate ink child welfare accord | Local News | valdostadailytimes.com
State of Georgia, Mexican consulate ink child welfare accord | Local News | valdostadailytimes.com: ATLANTA – Georgia’s child welfare agency has vowed to work more closely with the local consulate general of Mexico when a Mexican national – or a child of a Mexican
Industry Voices—3 elements all pediatric healthcare units should have | FierceHealthcare
Industry Voices—3 elements all pediatric healthcare units should have | FierceHealthcare: Designing separate child-friendly units may come at a higher price to design and construct, but it’s well worth the investment when it provides a better healing environment.
House to vote next week on intervening to defend ObamaCare in court | TheHill
House to vote next week on intervening to defend ObamaCare in court | TheHill: The House will hold a vote next week on intervening to defend ObamaCare in court against a GOP-led lawsuit, which Democrats hope will be a tough vote for many Republicans.
Thursday, January 3, 2019
The Teen Driver | From the American Academy of Pediatrics | Pediatrics
The Teen Driver | From the American Academy of Pediatrics | Pediatrics: For many teenagers, obtaining a driver’s license is a rite of passage, conferring the ability to independently travel to school, work, or social events. However, immaturity, inexperience, and risky behavior put newly licensed teen drivers at risk. Motor vehicle crashes are the most common cause of mortality and injury for adolescents and young adults in developed countries. Teen drivers (15–19 years of age) have the highest rate of motor vehicle crashes among all age groups in the United States and contribute disproportionately to traffic fatalities. In addition to the deaths of teen drivers, more than half of 8- to 17-year-old children who die in car crashes are killed as passengers of drivers younger than 20 years of age. This policy statement, in which we update the previous 2006 iteration of this policy statement, is used to reflect new research on the risks faced by teen drivers and offer advice for pediatricians counseling teen drivers and their families.
Shutdown could have impact on Georgia's food stamp benefits
Shutdown could have impact on Georgia's food stamp benefits: More than 1.5 million Georgians in 700,619 households benefit from food stamps. Funding of the program is at stake if the federal shutdown continues.
80 percent of children in U.S. have food allergies, study says
80 percent of children in U.S. have food allergies, study says: It's a condition that can cause anxiety, isolation and -- in the worst of cases -- death.
The push for interoperability gains new urgency in 2019 | Health Data Management
The push for interoperability gains new urgency in 2019 | Health Data Management: Regulatory pressure from CMS is expected to rise, with the intent of making inroads in improving data exchange between providers.
Paying for Medicaid, schools will be priority for lawmakers
Paying for Medicaid, schools will be priority for lawmakers: JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Big-dollar decisions about health care and education will top the agenda in many state capitols as lawmakers convene for their 2019 sessions with a closer balance between Republicans and Democrats. Some states will be considering anew whether to expand government-funded health coverage to more people after Democrats put a sizable dent in Republican statehouse dominance during the November elections. Others will be wrestling with how to boost salaries for teachers and funding for their public schools.
Mississippi’s Republican governor quietly considering Medicaid expansion - POLITICO
Mississippi’s Republican governor quietly considering Medicaid expansion - POLITICO: The term-limited Phil Bryant has been holding secret talks after an election that showed strong support for the Obamacare program in red states.
How The Government Shutdown Affects Health Programs | Kaiser Health News
How The Government Shutdown Affects Health Programs | Kaiser Health News: Medicare and Medicaid are fine, but the food safety component of the Food and Drug Administration and bio-threat surveillance done by the Department of Homeland Security are among the public health functions feeling the pinch.
Wednesday, January 2, 2019
Study: When grades go home on Friday, child abuse goes up on Saturday
Study: When grades go home on Friday, child abuse goes up on Saturday: A new study found nearly a four-fold increase in the incidence rate of verified child physical abuse reports on Saturdays after a Friday report card release.
The 4 biggest Medicaid controversies in 2018 | FierceHealthcare
The 4 biggest Medicaid controversies in 2018 | FierceHealthcare: In D.C. and states across the country, politicians and the public alike hotly debated new Medicaid policies this year. Much of this back and forth fell along party lines, but that wasn't always the case—perhaps the biggest twist of all.
Tuesday, January 1, 2019
Foods That Can Lead to Obesity in Kids
Foods That Can Lead to Obesity in Kids: When it comes to so-called good foods and bad foods, it's pretty easy to separate a green salad from a piece of pie. But some healthy foods can become less beneficial for you simply because of the way you cook them.
2018 Year in Review: CMS hones value-based payments in 2018 - Modern Healthcare
2018 Year in Review: CMS hones value-based payments in 2018 - Modern Healthcare: Risk was the buzzword for healthcare quality and safety in 2018. The CMS strongly pushed value-based payment and downside risk on providers, but the agency was largely silent on patient-safety issues.
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