> In an opinion piece published by Rare, contributor Merrill Matthews asks the question: How long are health insurers willing to continue losing money on the Affordable Care Act? Article
> Shelley Rouillard, the director of the California Department of Managed Health Care, said at a public hearing that care access, quality and affordability are her the top concerns regarding the proposed merger between Anthem and Cigna. Those issues, as well as the handling of grievances and appeals, "are serious issues that I personally feel very strongly about," she said, according to California Healthline. Article
> On Monday, a legislative task force voted to endorse Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson's plan for continuing Medicaid expansion in the state, but could not agree on his plan to allow private companies to manage parts of the Medicaid program for high-cost populations, the Pine Bluff Commercial reports. Article
Healthcare News
> Hospitals continue to adjust to better treat overweight and obese patients, but are falling short when it comes to installing machinery to help nurses lift or move patients. Article
Health Finance News
> The nation's largest public hospital system is in dire financial shape and needs to restructure its finances, and despite ending the fiscal year with a $104 million surplus, it would only fund the massive hospital system's operations for six days--far below the margin of safety for most privately operated hospitals and healthcare systems. Article
And finally… I hope this place comes with garlic draped on the walls. Article