What We're Reading: Puerto Rico Dilemma; Reporting Superbug Deaths; VA Accountability

Fight Over Funding Medicaid in Puerto Rico

With Puerto Rico on the verge of bankruptcy, lawmakers are divided how much more Medicaid money to send to the island. According to The Wall Street Journal, the territory is set to finish off its $6.4 billion Medicaid grant by the end of 2017. Puerto Rico has to complete renewal contracts with managed care organizations, but this task is complicated by the lack of replacement funding.

Removing a Requirement to Report on Superbug Deaths

A California bill that included a measure requiring hospitals to report drug-resistant bacterial infections on death certificates has drawn strong opposition. The Los Angeles Times reported that the measure has been removed from the bill after the California Hospital Association and the California Medical Association vocally opposed the plan. The bill would have required an annual report on these deaths, but the name of the hospitals would not have been revealed.

Improving Accountability in the VA

President Donald Trump has created a new office at the Department of Veterans Affairs that would improve accountability. The new Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection would also protect whistleblowers from retaliation and help identify ways to discipline or fire employees for poor performance, reported The Washington Post. Last week, Trump signed a bill to extend a program allowing veterans to seek private care.