Your Weekly Dose of Health January 29, 2016
National News:
–The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) predicts that 13 million people will sign up for healthcare coverage through the marketplaces set up under the Affordable Care Act. That’s down from the earlier prediction of 21 million people.
–This weekend marks the deadline to enroll for health insurance this year under the Affordable Care Act. Those who don’t sign up by the deadline have to wait for the next enrollment period, and their coverage won’t kick in until 2017.
–A new medical marijuana initiative is on the November ballot in Florida.
State News:
–According to a report by the Community Service Society, it would cost New York around $462 million to offer healthcare coverage to the state’s undocumented immigrants. Undocumented immigrants currently cannot buy insurance through the exchanges set up under the Affordable Care Act. The report offers different options to expand coverage to this group.
–A medical marijuana facility has opened up in Johnson City and two more opened up on Long Island.
–New York Assembly Member Steve Katz introduced a bill this week to prohibit New York from funding Planned Parenthood.
–An op-ed in the Times Union calls for New York State to pass legislation making surrogacy legal.
NYC News:
–Chirlane McCray, the first lady of New York City, delivered testimony on mental health care before the city council.
Upcoming Hearings and Events:
–The New York State Health Foundation and the United Hospital Fund will co-sponsor a conference on February 9th called “Health Care 2021: A Vision for New York”.
–Click here to see upcoming Department of Health meetings, hearings, and events.