Your Weekly Dose of Health January 8, 2016
National News:
– Health and Human Services reported that more than 11.3 million people enrolled for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act for this year. The open enrollment period will continue until the end of the month.
– The House of Representatives voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act for the 62nd time since the bill passed into law. This is the first time the bill will reach the president’s desk, and he has promised to veto it.
– A new study found that in Kentucky and Arkansas law income adults saw similar improvements in their access to health care under the Affordable Care Act.
– Health and Human Services released new dietary guidelines this week.
State News:
– Governor Cuomo issued an executive order requiring that homeless people be moved into shelters when temperatures fall below freezing.
– New York State’s first medical marijuana dispensaries opened this week. So far, eight dispensaries have opened statewide.
– Governor Cuomo signed a bill to allow pregnant women to sign up for health care using New York’s exchange regardless of whether the enrollment period is open. New York becomes the first state in the nation to allow pregnant women to enroll any time.
NYC News:
– Mayor Bill de Blasio issued an order that guarantees six weeks of paid parental leave for non-union city workers. He urged unionized workers to collectively bargain for a similar policy.
– Mayor de Blasio announced on Tuesday that he appointed Herminia Palacio as the new Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services.
– New York City’s Health Commissioner submitted an affidavit in support of the city’s sodium warning rule in response to the National Restaurant Association’s efforts to stop the rule from being implemented.
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.