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State Health Notes
May 2005 Issues
Volume 25, Number 445: May 31, 2005
Cover Story - States Tackle Medicare Part D: Some Will Save, Others Will Pay More
How are states reacting to Medicare Part D? Some officials say the massive new prescription drug benefit for Medicare beneficiaries will sap their budgets and cost them more than they’re already paying for drugs for Medicare beneficiaries under Medicaid. Others say they expect to save, mostly because they’ll be able to move enrollees from State Prescription Assistance Programs into Part D.
Primary Care News - States Use School-Based Programs To Battle Inactivity and Obesity
States are turning to school-based programs in an effort to battle obesity. Many programs seek to increase healthy eating and physical activity levels among kids, while others ban the sale of high-fat, salty or sweet food.
Highlights
Leavitt’s Medicaid Commission … NH employees in Medicaid … Employers push health … Detroit tax … HSA deadline … Medical errors … Older drugs … “Alcopops” in NH … Cancer drug costs … Organ donations
FYI - Flu Pandemic is “Imminent,” Infectious Disease Experts Say
Infectious disease experts are sounding the alarm about what they say is an impending influenza epidemic. The U.S. population has no immunity to the “bird flu” that has killed at least 53 people around the world since 2004, says Dr. Andrew Pavia, with the Infectious Diseases Society of America.
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Volume 25, Number 444: May 16, 2005
Cover Story - Medicare Part D: Fiscal Implications Trouble Some
States are bracing for the arrival of Medicare Part D on Jan. 1, 2006. The new Medicare prescription drug benefit is expected to be of enormous help to low-income beneficiaries who lack drug coverage – but many state officials are worried about its costs. The “clawback,” they say, is just one of the provisions that could cost them more than they are paying now.
State Speak - I-SaveRx Provides Safety
Illinois Special Advocate Scott McKibbon discusses I-SaveRx, a web-based mail order program that enables participants to reimport prescription drugs that are “safe and affordable” from Canada, England and Ireland.
Highlights
TennCare on hold … CO small group coverage … Health Savings Accounts … Discrimination and health … Obesity and the wealthy … Obesity and dementia … State report card … MN hospital discounts … Cover the Uninsured Week: a Wrap-Up
Graphically Speaking - More Uninsured Young Adults
The number of young adults who lack health insurance is growing. About half of these young people go without needed care, and half are unable to pay their medical bills.
FYI - Brown-Bagging It: Checking Prescriptions to Cut Down on Errors
Premera Blue Cross in Washington is reducing adverse drug interactions by simply giving enrollees a brown paper bag. They dump all their drugs and supplements into the bag and take it to their provider.
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Volume 26, Number 443: May 2, 2005
Cover Story - States Move to Regulate Discount Medical Cards
Discount medical cards offer reduced rates on medical care for a monthly fee. To protect consumers from fraud and fly-by-night operators in the business to make a quick buck, states are beginning to pass legislation directed at this non-insurance market.
Behavioral Health News - A New View: Treating Substance Abuse Differently
Substance abuse providers are starting to see addiction as a chronic condition, making treatment a life-long process rather than a quick visit to detox. The feds and states have developed the National Outcomes Measures, data to be collected throughout the course of treatment, to gauge the success of treatment programs.
Highlights
AR study of meth...HIV/AIDs drug assistance programs...CA STDs in prisons...Discount Rx card...Health consequences of obesity...The food pyramid...HSAs on the uptick...HSA enrollment...States and living wills.
Graphically Speaking - New Chartbook Notes Health Spending Decelerates for First Time in Seven Years
While the growth rate in health- care spending has declined, it continues to outpace inflation and wage growth, a fact that will keep it in the spotlight, says a new chartbook.
FYI - Forget About Terrorism: Americans are Worried about the Cost of Health Care
A recent report shows that not being able to pay for health care is the number one worry of Americans, beating out paying the rent and falling victim to a terrorist attack.
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