Your Weekly Dose of Health April 10, 2015

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation reports on the health spending projections from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.  The projections are $2.5 trillion lower than those made when the ACA became law.  The Foundation found that the projected cost of ACA Medicaid expansion is $94 million less than the cost projected when ACA was passed.  The expected cost of consumer subsidies under the ACA is $125 billion less than when ACA was passed.

The United Hospital Fund released two reports on New York’s Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs), and finds that they have “the potential to improve care and reduce costs,” and that more investments are needed.

Governor Cuomo announced $272,000 in funding as part of his Combat Heroin campaign.  The new funding will be used to train school nurses and provide naloxone kits to schools.

A New York State Health Foundation grant will go to six communities across the state as part of their Healthy Neighborhoods Fund initiative.  The funds will be used to increase access to healthy food and to safe places at which community members can exercise.

New York’s acting health commissioner, Dr. Howard Zucker, went on an anti obesity tour, which coincided with national public health week.

The New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation laid out a plan to grow its patient base by 43% and increase enrolment in the MetroPlus health plan.