Health Headlines for Thursday, August 2
Use of prescription opioids in U.S. remains high
Reuters
Use of prescription opioids remains high in the U.S., despite public health efforts and growing awareness of risks for abuse and overdose, a new study suggests.
Trump lifted restrictions on ‘short term’ health insurance plans. Here’s what that means for consumers
WMHT
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said Wednesday that the administration would support a cheaper form of short-term health insurance that health policy experts say would offer fewer protections for consumers and limit coverage of essential benefits like mental health, maternity care and prescription drugs.
As Opioid Epidemic Rages, Painkiller Prescriptions Don’t Drop
US News
In a sign that the U.S. opioid epidemic is still not under control, a new report shows that prescriptions for the highly addictive painkillers haven’t declined in the last decade.
New York Pushes Back Against Insurance Premium Increases
Wall Street Journal
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is pushing back against health insurers that want to raise premiums after the federal repeal of financial penalties for those who lack insurance, while New Jersey officials said they avoided such hikes by making the coverage mandate state law.
Assessing single-payer health care in New York State
Spectrum News
There was something virtually for everyone in a report released Wednesday by the Washington-based RAND Corporation think tank assessing single-payer health care in New York.
Study: Single payer health could work, but would require “significant” new tax revenue
Buffalo Business First
A new study commissioned by a non-partisan health care foundation says a single payer health insurance plan could work in New York, but would require significant new tax revenue.
Editorial: Health care snake oil
Carteret County News Times
A new study Monday from George Mason University’s Mercatus Center estimates “Medicare for All” would cost $32.6 trillion in federal spending in its first decade, with costs increasing year after year.