Health Headlines for Thursday, March 3
Startup Oscar Posts $105 Million Obamacare Loss in 2015
Bloomberg Business
Startup Oscar Health Insurance Corp. lost $105.2 million in its New York and New Jersey businesses last year, a sign that insurers of all sizes are struggling in the new markets created by President Barack Obama’s health-care overhaul.
Insurers Probed on Hepatitis C Drug Coverage
Wall Street Journal
New York’s attorney general is investigating state health-insurance companies for allegedly restricting coverage of drugs that can cure hepatitis C, saying that the firms have inappropriately rationed care by denying patients expensive but effective medication.
More N.Y. pharmacies to offer over-the-counter heroin antidote
Albany Times Union
As Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Wednesday that independent pharmacies would be able to sell a heroin antidote over the counter, New York’s U.S. senators made impassioned pleas for increased federal support to fight addiction.
Why this Albany tech company is an early adopter of BlueShield of Northeastern New York nutrition program
Albany Business Review
BlueShield of Northeastern New York is offering a new cash-back, healthy eating rewards programs to the employees it insures.
Trump releases healthcare plan
The Hill
Donald Trump on Wednesday released some details about his healthcare plan, an area where he has been criticized by his rivals for failing to outline a vision.
New York City’s public hospitals face funding crisis
City & State
It was a rare and effective Empire State leadership tableau on display when Gov. Andrew Cuomo joined New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio at a press conference to update an anxious public on the status of the city’s first Ebola patient.
Physician entrepreneur expands with telemedicine biz
Buffalo Business Firts
The owner of Five Star Urgent Care has expanded his offerings with a new telemedicine company, 247 Online Care.
What the Election Means for Reproductive Rights
New York Times
The day after Justice Antonin Scalia’s death, Senator Ted Cruz released a campaign ad warning, “We’re just one Supreme Court justice away from losing” on abortion, among other issues. The ad showed Donald Trump, in a 1999 interview, saying he is “very pro-choice.”