Health Headlines for Tuesday, February 2
N.Y.’s chief doctor dispenses advice on Zika virus
Albany Times Union/Blog
With nine New Yorkers confirmed to have cases of Zika virus and more asking their doctors about testing, state Health Commissioner Howard Zucker on Monday held a webinar to educate doctors on the mosquito-borne disease.
Schumer: Saint-Gobain needs to disclose full extent of Hoosick Falls pollution
Capital New York
The company suspected of tainting Hoosick Falls’ drinking water supply with toxic chemicals should immediately disclose the full extent of the pollution it caused, U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer said Monday.
British Researcher Gets Permission to Edit Genes of Human Embryos
New York Times
A British researcher has received permission to use a powerful new genome editing technique on human embryos, even though researchers throughout the world are observing a voluntary moratorium on making changes to DNA that could be passed down to subsequent generations.
Insurer Aetna lays out concerns about ACA exchange business
Albany Times Union
Aetna has joined other major health insurers in sounding a warning about the Affordable Care Act’s public insurance exchanges.
Health insurers, pharmaceuticals feud over drug cost bill
Albany Times Union
Two lobbying behemoths have been quietly duking it out behind the scenes at the Virginia General Assembly over a whether drugs companies should have to open up their books.
California Pays Insurers Millions More For Hepatitis C Drugs
NPR
Private health plans invoiced the state of California $387.5 million to cover high-cost hepatitis C treatments in Medi-Cal between July 2014 and November 2015, when just 3,624 patients received the treatments, according to the California Department of Health Care Services.