As the state legislative session comes to a close, Springfield state Rep. Melanie Stinnett is holding out hope that the Missouri General Assembly will come to an agreement on legislation limiting prior authorization for health care services.
In practice, the 340B Drug Pricing Program has become a financial advantage for large health systems and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) – third-party administrators who manage prescription drug programs for insurers and employers.
Northwell Health and Danbury-based Nuvance Health have completed an affiliation merger that creates an integrated regional health system that will enhance care for communities across greater New York and Connecticut, serving a population of more than 13 million.
It's now up to Gov. Ron DeSantis to decide whether to repeal a 35-year-old Florida law that bars adult children and their parents from recovering non-economic damages in wrongful death cases tied to medical negligence. The Senate voted 33-4 late last week to sign off on HB 6017. Senate Judiciary Chair Clay Yarborough, R-Jacksonville, sponsored the companion, SB 734. HB 6017 cleared the House, 104-6, in March.
In response to the February shooting at UPMC Memorial, the state House of Representatives has passed a bill intended to curb workplace violence in healthcare facilities. The Healthcare Workplace Prevention Act would require hospitals to establish violence prevention committees composed of at least half non-managerial employees to review all violent episodes and suggest policy changes to prevent such acts. The bill would also require hospitals to conduct annual risk assessments to identify safety and security threats and develop a program to reduce and avoid violence.
Eileen Montecalvo, a Malden resident and lifelong learner, is set to graduate with a master's degree in nursing at 81 years old after being inspired by a newspaper photo decades ago.