Your Weekly Dose of Health May 20, 2016

* Did you know your health insurance plan can change your prescription medication coverage mid-way through the coverage year? Click here to learn more about these negative mid-year formulary changes and find out how you can help stop them.*

National News:

According to the CDC, the rate of uninsured people in the U.S. dropped to 9.1 percent in 2015. That’s 7.4 fewer uninsured people than 2014. See the rest of the report
An article from the New York Times details the difficulties many are having with insurance under the Affordable Care Act.
Two Republican legislators this week introduced their proposed replacement to the Affordable Care Act.
Health departments across the country have seen their budgets cut as congress works on funding the fight against the Zika virus.

New York State News:

State insurers are proposing to increase premiums by an average of more than 17 percent, and would take effect in January. The rate increase proposals go to the Department of Financial Services, who will make a final determination on what level of increase they’ll accept.
Governor Cuomo this week announced $1 million in funding to expand addiction treatment services in central and western New York. The state Senate this week passed a series of bills aimed at fighting heroin and opioid addiction.

Upcoming Events:

This weekend New York City will host the first Weekend of Faith for Mental Health. One thousand places of worship will devote their services to issues of mental health.
The United Hospital Fund is holding its annual Medicaid Conference on July 14^th in New York City. Read more here.