Highlights

ACCESS

‘Til Remarriage Do Us Part

New Hampshire Governor John Lynch has just signed HB 921 into law, changing a number of the state’s insurance regulations. Among the changes is a requirement that insurance companies allow divorced spouses to remain on their ex’s employer-based policies for up to three years or re-marriage. Both current state law and COBRA allow divorcees to buy extended coverage under their current policies. However, critics charge that such coverage (which requires individuals to pay the employer share of premiums) can cost several times what the couple’s joint coverage cost. Legislators supported the bill in order to keep people insured and off the government rolls. “It’s a bright day when we find sensible solutions to ensuring that people don’t lose their health insurance,” Representative Martha McLeod told the Associated Press. Insurance companies expressed opposition, saying that the new law could raise costs for employers, especially small businesses.

WORKFORCE

Badgering Rural Pharmacists

Like most states, Wisconsin faces a shortage of rural pharmacists, prompting lawmakers to create financial incentives to draw these professionals to needy areas. The Legislature is currently considering AB 440, which would create a loan forgiveness program for pharmacy students at the University of Wisconsin at Madison who agree to practice in a federally designated health professional shortage area. Pharmacists must practice in the shortage area for at least six years, with 10 percent of the loan forgiven in each of the first four years of service, and 20 percent in both the fifth and sixth years. The bill does not mention what happens if a pharmacist fails to fulfill the six-year obligation. The state has budgeted $255,000 for each the next two fiscal years, with a cap of $5,000 in loans per student per year.

STEM CELLS

Bay State to Fund Bio-Research

Looking to become a national leader in biotechnology, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick has introduced legislation that would expand the state’s role in life science research. The proposed bill—a 10-year, $1 billion initiative—would authorize $500 million in state bonds for capitol projects, specifically new construction as well as repair and expansion of existing facilities at the University of Massachusetts Medical School at Worcester. The Governor says he hopes to build a stem cell bank that would hold “the largest repository of stem cells in the world.” The bill also would provide $25 million per year in research grants and workforce training programs and another $25 million per year in tax incentives for life- science companies. Businesses would be eligible only if they increased their number of full-time employees, part of the job growth strategy that is one of the Governor’s reasons for the bill.

MENTAL HEALTH

Veterans Get Some Help

Veterans facing emotional crises have access to additional help, thanks to a new project from the Department of Veterans Affairs. The VA is partnering with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration to launch a suicide hotline specifically for veterans. The hotline, 1-800-273-TALK (8255), will be staffed by mental health professionals in Canandaigua, New York. The VA has been looking to increase its mental health services this year, committing $3 billion to such efforts in 2007. Other actions taken by the VA this year include adding psychologists and social workers at VA facilities and developing tele-health programs for veterans.