Health Headlines for Friday, December 21
Health law’s fines are not the big stick everybody thought
AP News
There was one thing that supporters and detractors of former President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul agreed on for years: unpopular fines on Americans forgoing coverage were essential for the plan to work because they nudged healthy people to get insured, helping check premiums.
Cigna closes $54 billion purchase of Express Scripts
Reuters
Cigna Corp (CI.N) on Thursday closed its $54-billion deal to buy Express Scripts Holding Co, creating one of the biggest providers of pharmacy benefits and insurance plans in the United States, a combination it says will help it improve healthcare coordination and cut costs.
State health commissioner declares flu prevalent in NY
WNYT
State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker declared the flu prevalent in New York on Thursday. That means health care workers who have not gotten a flu shot must wear surgical masks around patients until further notice.
Congressman-Elect Anthony Brindisi Takes Questions On AARP Call
WAMC Northeast Public Radio
New York State Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi will be sworn in to represent New York’s 22nd Congressional District in January. The Utica Democrat defeated first-term Republican Congresswoman Claudia Tenney in a conservative Central New York district last month.