Literature Review
All posts tagged with “Public Policy News | Laws / Legal.”
How history has shaped racial and ethnic health disparities: A timeline of policies and events
01/15/24 at 03:00 AMHow history has shaped racial and ethnic health disparities: A timeline of policies and eventsKFF, with thanks to Daniel Dawes, Gilbert Gee, Michelle Tong; ongoing reference for health policy research, polling and journalismThis timeline offers a historical view of significant U.S. federal policies and events spanning the early 1800s to today that have influenced present-day health disparities. It covers policies that directly impacted health coverage and access to care, relevant events in medicine, social and economic policies and developments that influence health, and efforts to tackle inequalities. ... While not exhaustive, the timeline aims to provide context for addressing disparities, acknowledging the complex history that shapes racial and ethnic health and health care disparities that persist today.
California becomes first state to offer health insurance to all undocumented immigrants
01/05/24 at 04:00 AMCalifornia becomes first state to offer health insurance to all undocumented immigrantsABC News, by Mary Kekatos; 1/2/24California will welcome the new year by becoming the first state to offer health insurance for all undocumented immigrants. Starting Jan. 1, all undocumented immigrants, regardless of age, will qualify for Medi-Cal, California's version of the federal Medicaid program for people with low incomes.Editor's note: Hospice implications...?
State bill would allow doctor-assisted suicide in some cases
12/27/23 at 03:23 AMState bill would allow doctor-assisted suicide in some casesKeene (NH) SentinelDecember 25, 2023A bill pending in the N.H. Legislature would allow doctors to prescribe medication some terminal patients could take to end their lives. Under House Bill 1283, which has bipartisan support, New Hampshire would join 11 other states that permit medical assistance in dying. Lawmakers will consider it in the legislative session that begins early next month.
FTC, DOJ finalize merger guidelines that could impede healthcare M&A
12/21/23 at 03:53 AMFTC, DOJ finalize merger guidelines that could impede healthcare M&AHealthcare DiveDecember 19, 2023Federal antitrust agencies on Monday finalized stricter guidelines for mergers and acquisitions that could make it more difficult for healthcare deals to close. The guidelines lay out a framework that the Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission use when reviewing proposed deals and that the courts can reference in overseeing challenges.
Assisted-suicide bills in Mass. present risks to patients, public
12/19/23 at 03:58 AMAssisted-suicide bills in Mass. present risks to patients, publicBy Madelyn Hicks, MDWorcester (MA) Telegram & GazetteDecember 17, 2023The Massachusetts Legislature’s Committee on Public Health is considering two bills that would legalize physician-assisted suicide in the commonwealth. As a Massachusetts physician, as a psychiatrist who treats persons with mental health problems, and as a daughter who has dealt with the loss of a parent to a debilitating illness, I am concerned by flaws in these bills that present risks to individual patients and the public. Trust in the health care system would likely be damaged for many, but especially for communities that have experienced health care inequity who have not been consulted on these bills. Disparities already exist in end-of-life care so that Black, Hispanic and LGBTQ patients are less likely to receive palliative care or hospice care.
Southern Utah man admits to trying to kill wife in hospice to ease her suffering, charges say
12/17/23 at 04:00 AMSouthern Utah man admits to trying to kill wife in hospice to ease her suffering, charges sayKTVX-TV (Salt Lake City, UT)December 14, 2023Washington County, UT—A southern Utah man is facing an attempted murder charge after he allegedly admitted to investigators that he tried to kill his wife two years ago to ease her suffering from terminal cancer.
Lawmakers bring PACE expansion bill back into play
12/16/23 at 03:53 AMLawmakers bring PACE expansion bill back into playMcKnight’s Home Care DailyDecember 15, 2023Two members of Congress reintroduced a bill that would strengthen and expand the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly. Reps. Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and John Moolenaar (R-MI) introduced the PACE Expanded Act on Dec. 5. The sweeping legislation, if passed, would promote the expansion of existing PACE programs, make it easier to establish new programs, make PACE more affordable for Medicare beneficiaries and create a pilot program for testing the PACE model within new populations.
How medical aid in dying is bringing autonomy to end-of-life decisions
12/16/23 at 03:32 AMHow medical aid in dying is bringing autonomy to end-of-life decisionsPodcast: 1AHost: Lauren HamiltonWAMU-FM (Washington, DC)/NPRDecember 12, 2023As the American population gets older, people begin to plan for what the end of their lives will look like. It’s a conversation we explored on 1A earlier this year as a part of our ongoing coverage of aging in the United States. And during that conversation, you had a lot of questions for us. ... Since the end of Roe, the debate around bodily autonomy has grown increasingly contentious.
New bill would overhaul nation’s workforce training and development system
12/14/23 at 03:44 AM
Aging population requires ‘bold leadership’ to protect human dignity—LeadingAge to House Speaker
12/12/23 at 03:28 AMAging population requires ‘bold leadership’ to protect human dignity—LeadingAge to House SpeakerMcKnight’s Senior LivingDecember 11, 2023The growing population of older adults requires “bold leadership” to ensure aging with dignity, as well as access to care and support, according to an open letter from LeadingAge to Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA). The changing demographics and need to support older adults where they live and receive services presents a unique opportunity for Johnson to demonstrate leadership and commitment to “protecting human dignity,” according to the letter from LeadingAge President and CEO Katie Smith Sloan. ... “The US healthcare system is navigating a new and unfamiliar landscape in the wake of the COVID-19 public health emergency,” Sloan wrote. “Three years of sustained stress and increasing workloads have caused a dramatic shift in staffing patterns and an alarming rise in burnout across health professions.”
In letter to CMS, lawmakers call for more MA transparency
12/12/23 at 03:14 AMIn letter to CMS, lawmakers call for more MA transparencyMcKnight’s Home Care DailyDecember 11, 2023Four senators demanded the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services make more data surrounding prior authorizations in Medicare Advantage publicly available. “In the last few years, federal watchdogs have released numerous reports examining concerning trends in MA,” Sens. Bill Cassidy, MD (R-LA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), the letter’s signees, said in a statement. “Without publicly available plan-level data ... policymakers and regulators are unable to adequately oversee the program and legislate potential reforms.” The senators specifically requested CMS gather and publish data regarding prior authorization requests, denials and appeals, justifications for denials and the timeliness of prior authorization decisions.
Sen. Jacque—No Patient Left Alone Act advances with bipartisan support
12/11/23 at 04:00 AMSen. Jacque—No Patient Left Alone Act advances with bipartisan supportWis PoliticsDecember 7, 2023Madison, WI—Our loved ones would never be isolated from their families and friends again under legislation that cleared a State Senate committee today protecting our right to visit those dear to us in hospitals and care facilities. State Sen. André Jacque (R-De Pere), co-author of the proposal with State Rep. Chuck Wichgers, said research coming out of the pandemic has shown what we have known all along about the damage done to patients and their families by blocking human contact when they need each other most. ... Sen. Jacque said the No Patient Left Alone Act addresses these problems by allowing patients in health care facilities to receive visitors, subject to COVID-19 infections protocols, and to have in-person compassionate care visitation between a resident and any individual the resident requests to relieve physical or mental distress. ... The No Patient Left Alone Act (Senate Bill 257) passed the Senate Committee on Health earlier this morning 0n a bi-partisan 5-1 vote. It must next clear the full Senate and Assembly, and be signed by the Governor, to become law.
New Jersey Passes Community-Based Palliative Care Medicaid Bill
12/10/23 at 04:00 AMNew Jersey Passes Community-Based Palliative Care Medicaid BillPalliative Care NewsDecember 8, 2023A New Jersey state bill recently passed that establishes community-based palliative care benefits under Medicaid. The new legislation includes coverage for specialized medical care, emotional and spiritual support, as well as pain and symptom relief for Medicaid beneficiaries with advanced illnesses, including both adult and pediatric populations.
Top Lawmakers for Hospices to Watch in 2024
12/10/23 at 04:00 AMTop Lawmakers for Hospices to Watch in 2024Hospice NewsDecember 8, 2023Hospice providers will be looking to Congress in 2024 to address issues related to program integrity, quality improvement and industry-wide workforce pressures. As legislative efforts develop, hospices may want to focus their attention on a few key legislators. ...Notable Mentions: Rep. Beth Van Duyne, (R-Texas), Rep. Earl Blumenaur, (D-Oregon), Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-California), Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-California), Sen. John Barasso (R-Wyoming), Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin), and Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-West Virginia).