Massachusetts: Health Care Finance committee urged to create Healthcare Trust
The Center Square
“At a time when most Massachusetts residents have health insurance coverage, the single-payer debate ignores our state’s near-universal coverage achievements and distracts from the critical work we must do to control health care costs for employers and consumers.”
FDA advisers endorse Covid-19 vaccine for kids 5-11 years old
Politico NY
The Food and Drug Administration’s independent vaccine advisers voted to recommend authorizing the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 shot for children ages 5-11, after deliberating whether everyone in that age group should be eligible for immunization.
New features make health care through Medicare plans even more affordable
Democrat & Chronicle
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield has lowered premiums and added benefits to Medicare plans.
Syracuse Community Health Center, AMR ambulance team up to prevent unnecessary ER visits
Syracuse.com
Starting November 1, AMR crews will evaluate Medicare patients who call 911 to determine if they can be treated at the health center instead of an emergency room in an effort to help ease overcrowding in Syracuse hospital emergency rooms.
A hospital hiked the price of a routine childbirth by calling it an ’emergency’
NPR
When Caitlin Wells Salerno and Jon Salerno’s first son, Hank, was born, his delivery cost the family only $30. Gus’ bill came in at more than $16,000, all told — including the $2,755 emergency room charge.