Health Headlines for Tuesday, February 23

Sanders’ Health Plan Renews Debate On Universal Coverage

New York Now

When Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders stumps for health care for everyone, it always gets huge applause.

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For Mark Willenbring, Substance Abuse Treatment Begins With Research

New York Times

On the rainy fall morning of their first appointment, Dr. Mark Willenbring, a psychiatrist, welcomed a young web designer into his spacious office with a firm handshake and motioned for him to sit.

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Here’s Why Valeant Shares Are Plunging Again

Fortune

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International said it would restate its financial results for 2014 and 2015 after identifying some sales to Philidor that should have been recognized when products were dispensed to patients.

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CVS Targets Valeant’s $1,000 Fungus Drug With Restrictions

Bloomberg Business

CVS Health Corp. plans to restrict the use of a toenail fungus drug from Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc., as part of an initiative aimed at cutting spending on dermatology treatments.

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Audit fines lengthy delays in fining errant nursing homes

Albany Times Union

Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli on Monday released an audit that found the Cuomo administration, through the state Department of Health, has been taking up to six years to impose fines for health and safety violations in nursing homes.

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Revisit medical marijuana

Albany Times Union/Blog

At first blush, it’s a head scratcher: After years of passionate lobbying for medical marijuana in New York, the state passes a law allowing it, only to have patients seemingly avoiding it in droves.

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EXCLUSIVE: NY lawmakers want teachers trained to spot students with mental health issues

New York Daily News

A pair of state lawmakers from Brooklyn are looking to make teachers the “first line of defense” in combatting mental health problems among students.

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Ithaca Mayor Wants To Let Heroin Users Shoot Up Under Nurse Supervision

CBS New York

An upstate New York mayor wants his city to be the first in the U.S. to offer a supervised injection facility, where heroin users would be able to shoot up under the care of a nurse without getting arrested by police.

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Race to the Top: How New York Can Better Encourage Value-Based Competition in Hospital Markets

Manhattan Institute

The Affordable Care Act is the defining health care reform of this generation. In its wake, we have seen a marked increase in hospital mergers: in New York State, over a dozen hospitals have become part of larger networks since 2012.

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