CMS’ Verma Announces Health Data Initiative

At the annual conference of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society, better known as HIMSS, CMS Administrator Seema Verma announced that the Trump administration is working toward giving Americans greater access to their medical data. According to Bloomberg, the administration is still working on a timeline for the MyHealthEData initiative. Upcoming rules from CMS will also make it easier for patients to access records and for provider systems to talk to one another.

Pennsylvania and Oklahoma Consider Medicaid Work Requirements

Two more states may joining the growing number that implement work requirements in Medicaid. Pennsylvania is debating a requirement that able-bodied Medicaid recipients get work. The Inquirer reported that proposed legislation would cost the state $600 million to implement systems and supports if work is a requirement for Medicaid. In Oklahoma, the governor has ordered the state’s Medicaid agency to develop a work requirement. According to AP, Governor Mary Fallin suggested some exemptions, including children, pregnant women, the disabled, people caring for young children, and those seeking help in substance abuse programs.

New Jersey Moves to Require Health Insurance

The Trump administration ending the individual mandate enacted by the Affordable Care Act, but some states are considering implementing their own requirement to have insurance. A New Jersey state Senate panel has backed such legislation that requires residents to buy insurance or pay a fee. The bill was backed exclusively by Democrats. Those who opposed the bill worried it would place a financial burden on young adults.