Research Roundup: Impact Of GOP Lawsuit; Co-Ops’ Failures; Plan Choices For Patients With HIV

Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.

State Highlights: Bill Would Let Californians Know About Unreasonable Rate Hikes; Va. Mental Health Advocates Push For Reforms

News outlets report on health care developments in California, Virginia, Minnesota, North Carolina, Connecticut and Florida.

State Highlights: Montana Averts Financial Headache Over State Employee Health Plan; Chronic Disease In Minnesota

News outlets report on health care developments in Montana, Minnesota, Maryland, Kansas, Ohio, Louisiana, Florida, Georgia, California, South Carolina, Washington and Wisconsin.

Viewpoints: Hospitals And Preventable Harm; How Medicaid Expansion Is Playing In Iowa, New Hampshire

A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.

Iowa Will Be Ready For Medicaid Privatization Switch, State Official Says

Iowa Medicaid Director Mikki Stier says she is "very confident" that the state will be ready to transfer its Medicaid program to private management starting March 1. Meanwhile in Kansas, an audit finds that new computer system for Medicaid enrollment will save far less than the $300 million that was estimated.

In California, Hearing On HealthNet-Centene Merger Triggers Tough Questions

Meanwhile, Centene also discloses that six hard drives with information belonging to about 950,000 members are "unaccounted for." Also in the news, Modern Healthcare reports on Marilyn Tavenner's view of how AHIP moves forward. And news outlets detail high-deductible health plans and limited coverage plans.

Markey Blocking Vote On FDA Nominee Until Agency Addresses Opioid Concerns

Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., the second lawmaker to place a hold on the nomination, says, "The FDA needs to commit to shift the way it approaches and evaluates addiction before I can support Dr. Califf's nomination." Elsewhere on Capitol Hill, Republicans are likely to use a new Congressional Budget Office analysis of booming health care costs to propose deep funding cuts. Also, lawmakers reschedule their hearing on drug prices.