State Health Watch Archives – March 1, 2003
March 1, 2003
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The tangled web of Medicaid and the states: Both may need fixing
The best short-term solution for Medicaids financial problems is a significant infusion of additional federal funds, according to Alan Weil, New Federalism program director at the Urban Institute in Washington, DC. -
Though tempting, many say not cutting costs is the road to economic recovery for the states
While most agree that the impact on the health is the biggest ramification of state Medicaid cuts, a Families USA study points out that cuts in Medicaid spending hurt state economies because of the multiplier effect. -
More questions raised about smallpox vaccinations
As the Institute of Medicine (IOM) called on the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to address major concerns about the nations planned smallpox vaccination program and reports circulated that states were not as ready to start Phase 1 vaccinations, two major unions representing health care workers asked for a delay and said they could not recommend that their members volunteer to be vaccinated until major issues were resolved. -
Just don’t do it: Survey shows Americans support strong sexual abstinence message
The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy says that survey results supporting a strong abstinence message should influence policy-makers to understand that many teens and adults believe theres a middle ground between abstinence and contraception. -
CMS reverses field on ED restrictions
A Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) decision to allow managed care organizations to limit and restrict coverage for emergency services for Medicaid recipients lasted just five weeks and never was implemented by states before the administration reversed field in the face of Congressional pressure and rescinded the provision. -
Rising pharmacy copays could lead to health risk
A Johns Hopkins University researcher warns that efforts to control pharmacy costs by increasing patient copays can have an unintended health consequence people arent as likely to fill their prescriptions. -
Clip files / Local news from the states
Arizona governor starts discount drug program; Childrens advocacy group gives Nevada poor marks.