State News

Starling Physicians will partner with Aetna to participate in an oncology medical home model designed to improve patient experience by enhancing delivery of quality and value in cancer care. The model will be centered around the whole person, with evidence-based, integrated and personalized medical care, with a focus on quality and safety; and enhanced access to care.

The new plan, proposed by Governor Mark Dayton, would reduce health insurance premiums by 25 percent for Minnesotans who don’t qualify for subsidies, according to CBS Minnesota. The plan is being introduced after plans were approved for rate increases of 55 percent for 2017.

Massachusetts' tax-exempt hospitals invest more than a half-billion dollars annually into community benefit programs, but there is little evidence of the effectiveness of those investments and whether they benefit the communities served, reports Community Catalyst. A new study--entitled Hospitals Investing in Health: Community Benefit in Massachusetts--examines the current state of hospital community benefit programs and offers recommendations to strengthen their coordination, transparency and impact. Recommendations include increased coordination and transparency and redirection of resources to address social and economic needs of communities.

Vermont’s Green Mountain Care Board approved an all-payer waiver, according to the Burlington Free Press. Under an all-payer model, providers are paid set amounts for care, rather than being paid per test, service or procedure.Proponents believe the initiative will more effectively manage chronic diseases and save VT $10 billion over the next 10 years.

The New Mexico Medicaid program is seeking federal authority to charge copayments to enrollees, except for pregnant women and children, according to Las Cruces Sun-News. New Mexico has one of the highest Medicaid enrollment rates in the country. The secretary of the state's Human Services Department suggested these fees could help maintain Medicaid spending by steering patients away from wasteful spending.

California’s Office of the Patient Advocate released its annual report cards on health plans and medical groups. The report cards assign ratings to the largest HMOs and PPOs in the state, as well as over 200 physician groups, based on quality of care and patient experience.

A new report released by the NEHI concluded that hospitals across the Greater Boston Area are performing Community Health Needs Assessments independently.  The report further suggested that a greater impact would be made if the hospitals could join efforts and work collaboratively.  The hospitals agreed on the greatest health issues but lacked clarity on how to address these issues.  

West Virginia, like many other states in the nation, is grappling with the skyrocketing prices for essential medications. The problem is particularly pronounced in the state due to budget shortfalls over the past few years, according to Kaiser Health News. As drug prices continue to rise, lawmakers have been forced to cut funding from other parts of the state budget.  

A Rural Hospital Stabilization Grant from the state of Georgia has funded a Mobile Integrated Healthcare Program at Crisp Regional Hospital that has reduced readmissions within 30 days of discharge from 35 to just 4, according to WALB News 10. The results stem from targeting “frequent flyers” -- people who frequently call 911 for non-emergencies -- and by providing unsolicited EMT visits to ensure these patients are taking care of themselves, such as taking their medication properly. The grant is set to expire in December 2016, but the hospital plans to continue the program.