Health Headlines for Friday, February 5
NY must protect consumers, docs when health insurers fail, Valesky says
Syracuse Post Standard
Sen. David Valesky, D-Oneida, wants the state to create a special fund to protect consumers and medical providers in the event another health insurer goes belly-up like Health Republic of New York did late last year.
After The Martin Shkreli Circus, How Can We Fix Drug Pricing?
Forbes
There was no doubt that hauling Martin Shkreli, the infamous young pharmaceutical entrepreneur, in front of Congress would be dramatic. Of course it was. But did it get us any closer to preventing the next Martin Shkreli from taking an old drug and raising the price 5,000%?
Martin Shkreli Invokes the Fifth Amendment During Grilling by Congress
New York Times
Martin Shkreli’s grilling by Congress on Thursday proved to be the spectacle that many had long anticipated.
Feds say more than 610K signed up for health insurance plans
Albany Times Union
The Obama administration says more than 610,000 people in North Carolina signed up for private health insurance coverage during the third year of President Obama’s federal health care law.
ENH Newfane ER to convert to urgent care center
Niagara Gazette
Eastern Niagara Hospital management announced to workers Wednesday that the emergency room at the Newfane site will be converted into an urgent care center. The conversion is targeted to occur March 15.
Saratoga Hospital weighs options amid stalled expansion
Albany Times Union/Blog
Saratoga Hospital is reconsidering its expansion plans in Saratoga Springs after a bruising fight with neighbors and lack of support from the City Council appears to have killed its plans to build a medical office building in a nearby, residential area.