Kentucky Medicaid Enrollees Sue To Stop First-In-Nation Work Requirements
Republican Gov. Matt Bevin has already issued the ultimatum that if the court touches the requirements, he'll roll back the Medicaid expansion entirely.
The Associated Press:
Medicaid Recipients Sue To Block New Work-Requirement Rules
Fifteen people in Kentucky who get their health insurance through Medicaid have sued the federal government, asking a judge to block new first-in-the-nation rules that would make them work to keep their taxpayer-funded benefits. The lawsuit , filed Wednesday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia by three nonprofit groups, is the first legal challenge of a Medicaid waiver granted by the Trump administration. (1/24)
In other national health care news —
The Washington Post:
Trump Administration Seeks New Ways To Allow People To Dodge Obamacare’s Individual Mandate
The Trump administration is exploring ways to excuse more Americans from the requirement that they prove they’re insured in the remaining months before the Affordable Care Act’s individual mandate is laid to rest. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is working on guidance expanding the “hardship” exemptions from the 2010 health-care law’s mandate that people purchase health plans, according to two people familiar with the effort. Agency officials haven’t yet finalized the guidance, but aim to increase the number of reasons people could cite as justifications for not showing they’re insured when they file their tax returns. (Winfield Cunningham and Eilperin, 1/24)
The Washington Post:
Cecile Richards Expected To Step Down From Planned Parenthood
Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards is expected to step down after 12 years at the abortion rights and women’s health-care organization, with an announcement coming as soon as next week. “Cecile plans to discuss 2018 and the next steps for Planned Parenthood’s future at the upcoming board meeting,” the organization said in a statement. (Weigel, 1/24)
The Washington Post:
Agencies Target 'Illegal, Unapproved' Products That Claim To Treat Opioid Addiction
Federal regulators said Wednesday that they are cracking down on marketers and distributors selling a dozen products that “illegally” claimed to treat or cure opioid addiction and withdrawal. In letters sent earlier this month, the Food and Drug Administration and the Federal Trade Commission cited products that target people desperate to find relief from their addictions. They include “Opiate Freedom 5-Pack,” “CalmSupport” and “Soothedrawal.” Most of the 12 items are marketed as dietary supplements, while two are homeopathic remedies, the FDA said. (McGinley, 1/24)
The New York Times:
New Findings Could Save Lives Of More Stroke Patients
Many more stroke victims than previously thought can be saved from disability or death if doctors remove blood clots that are choking off circulation to the brain, a new study has shown. “These striking results will have an immediate impact and save people from lifelong disability or death,” Dr. Walter J. Koroshetz, director of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, said in a statement. “I really cannot overstate the size of this effect.” (Grady, 1/24)
Stat:
Why Do Hospitals Bare Butts When There Are Better Gowns Around?
But if everyone agrees that the old garments are horrible, and if fashion designers — working with doctors and nurses, no less — have created better gowns, why are we still having this conversation? The higher cost of new gowns is a big reason why many hospitals still use traditional tie-in-the-back johnnies. In addition, some fans of the old design think the new versions aren’t patient-friendly enough, and the standard ones are just fine; they’re convenient and functional, giving easy access to parts of the body clinicians need to poke and prod (Tedeschi, 1/25)