Health Headlines for Friday, January 20
Judge to block mega-merger of Anthem and Cigna
New York Post
A federal judge is expected to block a proposed mega-merger between Anthem and Cigna — a $54 billion deal that would create the nation’s biggest health insurer — as soon as Thursday, sources told The Post.
Anthem to change opioid treatment policy under deal with NY regulators
USA Today
Anthem, the nation’s second-largest insurance company, has ended its policy of pre-authorizations for drugs to treat opioid use disorder following an agreement with New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, his office said Thursday.
U.S. health agency tells Grassley there is no EpiPen deal yet
Reuters
Mylan NV has yet to reach a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice over the classification in the Medicaid program of its life-saving EpiPen allergy treatment, according to a letter from a regulatory agency disclosed on Thursday.
EpiPen rival to be offered free to many but high price for insurers
Reuters
Privately held drugmaker Kaleo on Thursday said it would offer its Auvi-Q emergency allergy auto-injector at no cost to many consumers, but set a list price for the EpiPen rival that will be used as the benchmark cost to insurance companies at a whopping $4,500.
Abortion rate hits record low as clash looms between Trump, abortion-rights advocates
New York Upstate
The U.S. abortion rate has hit a historic low as a clash looms between President-elect Donald Trump, who has vowed to outlaw abortion, and abortion rights advocates, many of whom will join the Women’s March on Washington Saturday.
NY keeps medical marijuana doctors secret, hampering access
Press & Sun Bulletin
More than a year after the first New Yorkers started receiving medical marijuana, less than 1 percent of the state’s doctors are qualified to steer patients to prescriptions.
Carlucci: Opioid deaths rising in Rockland
Journal News
Opioid deaths, including fatal heroin overdoses, are on the rise in Rockland County, where state Sen. David Carlucci is pushing a pair of proposals to help addicts.
As flu peaks in Western New York, ‘it’s best to be prepared’
Buffalo News
Flu season is starting to peak in Western New York, although its activity here lags behind other regions of the state.
Cuomo wants to build new Wadsworth Center health lab in Albany area
Albany Business Review
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is again trying to build a new laboratory to consolidate the state Health Department Wadsworth Center labs in the Albany, New York area.
Cuomo proposal would give DFS more power over state-based insurers
Politico
The state Department of Financial Services could be given more power and oversight of the insurance industry, with the ability to place struggling insurers under administrative supervision for up to six months, according to a proposal Gov. Andrew Cuomo outlined in his executive budget.