APRIL 19, 2018
Facing heat from governor, Blue Cross and Piedmont settle dispute
Georgia Health News
The pressure from Gov. Nathan Deal evidently worked. Deal announced Tuesday afternoon that Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia and Piedmont Healthcare had reached a “handshake” agreement on a new contract. READ MORE
Rep. Cooper to chair subcommittee on opioid alternatives, e-prescribing, harm reduction & other health care issues from the 2018 legislative session
Georgia House Press Office
State Representative Sharon Cooper (R-Marietta), Chairman of the House Health and Human Services Committee, today announced that she will oversee the House Health and Human Services Subcommittee on Opioid Alternatives, E-Prescribing, Harm Reduction, Step Therapy and Bariatric Surgery benefits for State Health Benefit Plan participants. | READ MORE
Georgia General Assembly gives final passage to hands-free driving bill; Rep. Carson provides bill specifics
Georgia House Press Office
State Representative John Carson (R-Marietta), Chairman of the House Study Committee on Distracted Driving, announced that the Georgia General Assembly gave final passage to House Bill 673, the Hands-Free Georgia Act, on Thursday, March 29, 2018. This measure would create a hands-free driving law in Georgia. | READ MORE
[Sen.] Isakson supports legislation to fight opioid crisis
Valdosta Today
U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today cosponsored legislation to help fight the opioid crisis and improve the federal government’s response to this epidemic that is devastating communities across Georgia and the nation. | READ MORE
How smart technologies can revamp Medicaid systems
Fox Business
Making even minor upgrades to a system as large and as complicated as a legacy state Medicaid program would be expensive and time-consuming, potentially even requiring an entire system overhaul.  | READ MORE
Watchdog says nearly one-third of CMS telehealth payments were improper
McKnight's
The growing drumbeat for greater use of telehealth in long-term care may have encountered a muffler. | READ MORE
Congress urged to cut Medicare payments to many stand-alone ERs
Kaiser Health News
The woman arrived at the emergency department gasping for air, her severe emphysema causing such shortness of breath that the physician who examined her put her on a ventilator immediately to help her breathe. | READ MORE
Electronic access to patient info a struggle, physician survey finds
Healthcare Dive
While EHRs capture increasing volumes of patient data, physicians can be hard-pressed to access patient information when they need it, a new Surescripts study suggests. | READ MORE
Barbara Bush’s end-of-life decision stirs debate over ‘comfort care’
Kaiser Health News
Former first lady Barbara Bush died Tuesday night at her home in Houston at age 92. Days before her death, the announcement that she was seeking “comfort care” shone a light — and stirred debate — on what it means to stop trying to fight terminal illness. | READ MORE
Local medical students gain practical techniques through ‘Trauma Day’
Gwinnett Daily Post
Gurneys were being wheeled in and the rhythmic sound of a heart monitor filled the room as nurses prepared a patient for to see a doctor. From gunshot wounds to patients that suffered from schizophrenia, all four beds, commonly known as bays, continued to be filled and replaced by other patients on Tuesday at Philadephia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Suwanee. | READ MORE
Emory receives $12.7 million grant to continue oxytocin research
Emory News Center
Emory University’s Yerkes National Primate Research Center and Brain Health Center have received a five-year, $12.7 million National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) grant to continue innovative research on oxytocin, a brain chemical known for establishing mother-infant bonds, at the University’s Silvio O. Conte Center for Oxytocin and Social Cognition. | READ MORE
CSU will honor three at annual ‘President’s Recognition Banquet’ Thursday (features MAG member)
Columbus State News
Columbus State University will honor an exceptional community partner, and its alumni association will present its most prestigious awards during CSU’s annual President’s Recognition Dinner Thursday night. | READ MORE
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