News From Around the Web
> Passport Health Plan has teamed up with the company Evolent Health to form the Louisville, Kentucky-based Medicaid Center of Excellence, which will offer "strategy, clinical and operational capabilities and health plan administrative support." Announcement
> A new law in New Hampshire prohibits insurance companies from requiring prior authorization for coverage of a patient's first two outpatient substance abuse treatment appointments, Seacoast Online reports. Article
> Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, which is currently at odds with providers in the state over its new tiered health plan and is suing two hospitals over their advertising campaign, has made several staffing changes in its executive ranks, NJ.com reports. Article
Healthcare News
> A new study examines factors that influence nurse retention and what nurse leaders can do to help create a positive work environment. Article
Health IT News
> IT budgets continue to grow at hospitals and health systems--but that growth is not because of funds needed for electronic health records, according to an IDC Health Insights report. Article
And finally… A wafer-thin argument. Article