State highlights: Abortion coverage fight at a Catholic University In Calif.; N.C.'S Medicaid managed care plan attacts companies; some Calif. exchange rates uncertain

Oct 8 2013

A selection of health policy stories from New York, North Carolina, California, Virginia and Washington.

The New York Times: Abortion Vote Exposes Rift At A Catholic University
Trustees of the Jesuit [Loyola Marymount University] will decide on Monday whether to remove coverage for elective abortions from the faculty and staff health care plans. The coming vote has exposed a deep rift over just how Catholic a Catholic university should be in the 21st century -- and how to maintain that distinctive Catholic identity amid growing diversity on campus (Lovett, 10/6).

North Carolina Health News: Medicaid Managed Care Companies Display Newfound Confidence In NC
Since Gov. Pat McCrory has proposed privatizing Medicaid, managed care companies from out of state have been increasing their presence in North Carolina (Hoban, 10/4).

California Healthline: Some Exchange Provider Rates Up In Air
In California, which was first in the nation to create an exchange under the Affordable Care Act, the process has been slightly more advanced than most other states, including Web enrollment capability and the setting of health plan rates within the exchange. In California, some provider rates have been established for the exchange, for the individual market, according to Nicole Evans, vice president for communications at the California Association of Health Plans. With three short months until actual coverage benefits begin, however, not all provider rates have been set (Gorn, 10/4).

The Washington Post: Arlington-Based Evolent Adds $100M In Venture Capital As It Looks To Revolutionize Health Care Industry
Arlington-based Evolent Health got off the ground more than two years ago as the battle over health care reform raged on Capitol Hill and beyond. As the shutdown of the federal government last week illustrates, that debate is far from settled. But to chief executive Frank Williams and Evolent's other co-founders, it was clear then that the way hospitals deliver and get paid for care was changing, regardless of the political wrangling (Overly, 10/6).

The Seattle Times: Caring For Mentally Ill: 3 Counties' Success Stories
Valerie Thompson felt herself losing control. She started seeing imaginary men, then hearing knocks on her door. In a past life, these types of symptoms ended in suicide attempts and involuntary detentions. But this time, Thompson knew what to do (Rosenthal, 10/6).