Health Care

Study Shows Air Pollution Raises Risk of Autism

Andrea Smardon — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 22:48:58 +0000

Women who live in areas with polluted air are up to twice as likely to have an autistic child than those living in communities with cleaner air. That’s according to a new national study from Harvard University published online in Environmental Health Perspectives. KUER’s Andrea Smardon reports on what this might mean for Utah - which has the highest autism rates in the country, and occasionally the worst air quality.

Utah Children's Autism Program Accepting 35 New Applicants

Andrea Smardon — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 22:20:14 +0000

Utah parents of children with autism can now apply for limited spaces in a treatment program. The state Department of Health’s Medicaid Autism Waiver Program opened enrollment Monday for 35 children under 7 years old, but advocates in the autism community say it’s not enough.

Utah Considers Arkansas’ “Private Option” for Medicaid Expansion

Andrea Smardon — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 22:59:54 +0000

Utah officials are keeping a close eye on Arkansas as they consider whether to expand Medicaid in the state. The Utah Department of Health held an informational conference call Thursday with Arkansas’ Medicaid Director Andy Allison. Members of Utah’s Medicaid Expansion community workgroup see promise in Arkansas’ unique model. It gives eligible low-income residents Medicaid expansion dollars to buy private health insurance.

Teen Pregnancy Rates Down in Utah; Some Credit Access to Birth Control and Sex Ed

Andrea Smardon — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 00:43:32 +0000

Matheson Backs Drug ID Bill

Dan Bammes — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 18:06:42 +0000

A bill that could make it harder to sell fake or stolen prescription drugs passed the U.S. House of Representatives this week.

Utah Man Doing Well After Historic Transplant

Andrea Smardon — Thu, 30 May 2013 22:22:51 +0000

A Utah man is doing well after surgeons at Intermountain Medical Center performed the first combined heart-liver transplant in an adult patient in the Intermountain West.

Dressed up in a shirt and tie, you would never know 31-year-old Michael Mader is a transplant patient. The surgery was completed on April 23^rd. Mader, who has suffered from 18 heart attacks, says he could feel the difference right away.

“I feel better than I did at 22, when I had my first heart attack,” Mader says. “So it’s been a night and day difference.”

Utah Department of Health Launches New Anti-Tobacco Campaign

Nicole Nixon — Thu, 30 May 2013 18:10:19 +0000

The Utah Department of Health has launched a new ad campaign for people who want to quit smoking. The effort focuses on people trying to kick the habit one day at a time.

Report Details Costs and Benefits of Utah’s Medicaid Options

Andrea Smardon — Fri, 24 May 2013 00:35:31 +0000

Utah could save millions of dollars and provide health insurance to about 123,000 people if the state expands Medicaid. That was the conclusion of an independent cost-benefit analysis commissioned by the state.

Federal Government will Manage Utah’s High-Risk Health Insurance Pool

Andrea Smardon — Tue, 21 May 2013 22:54:56 +0000

Many Utahns with preexisting medical conditions will see their health insurance shifted from state to federal oversight in July. After federal funding ran short for the “high-risk” insurance pool, state officials have refused to take on any additional costs. And federal health officials have refused to allow Select Health, the insurer that administers the program for Utah, to take responsibility.

U Child Asthma Research Relies on Parents to Track Symptoms

Andrea Smardon — Thu, 16 May 2013 22:33:28 +0000

The University of Utah has received a 1.9 million dollar research grant to study asthma in children and how better monitoring of the disease could improve health. The award comes from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute.

Utah Lawmakers Consider Partnership to Encourage Long-Term Care Insurance

Andrea Smardon — Wed, 15 May 2013 22:24:19 +0000

Utah lawmakers are considering a bill that would encourage citizens to buy private long-term care insurance. More than 35 states already have this type of public-private partnership.

Utah insurance broker Craig Oberle told the state Health and Human Services committee that people don’t like to think about long term care, and how much it might cost.

“We all know the baby boom generation and what’s happening, it’s an absolute tsunami that’s coming,” Oberle said.

Utah to be First State with Dual-Model Health Insurance Exchange

Andrea Smardon — Fri, 10 May 2013 21:29:45 +0000

Utah has come to an agreement with the US Department of Health and Human Services on how it will run its exchange – or health insurance marketplace. HHS has approved Utah’s first-of-its-kind proposal to split state and federal responsibilities. Under the agreement, Utah will continue running the state exchange known as Avenue H for small businesses. The federal government will run a separate exchange for individual consumers.

Utah May “Walk Away” from State High-Risk Health Insurance Pool

Andrea Smardon — Thu, 09 May 2013 21:59:12 +0000

Utah is telling the federal government it’s not willing to take on more of the risk and the cost of insuring people with pre-existing health conditions. The US Department of Health and Human Services wants to cap federal spending on state-run high-risk pools because they are running out of funding. The Utah Governor’s office has until Friday to decide whether to absorb those costs in the state, or transition enrollees into a federal program – which they say will cost more out of pocket.

Sequestration Threatens University of Utah Health Research

Andrea Smardon — Mon, 06 May 2013 22:32:10 +0000

The University of Utah expects to lose 19 million dollars of its medical research budget as a result of sequestration. KUER looks at how that loss will impact the research, industry, and health of the state.

In the Genetics building, on the wall of cardiologist Dean Li’s lab is a map of North and South Korea. He uses it as inspiration for a pair of graduate students. North Korea, in this case, represents cancer.

Report Estimates Data Breach Will Cost $406 Million

Andrea Smardon — Mon, 06 May 2013 21:20:40 +0000

A new report shows that last year’s data breach of Utah health records was a costly mistake with far-reaching consequences. An independent analysis by Javelin Strategy & Research predicts that the total amount of fraud perpetrated could approach $406 million in costs.

Medicaid Expansion Community Workgroup Holds First Meeting

Andrea Smardon — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 23:44:48 +0000

A select group of healthcare providers, advocates, and community leaders met at the State Capitol Tuesday to discuss Medicaid, and the state’s pending decision on whether to expand the program to include more uninsured, low-income Utahns. Utah Department of Health Executive Director David Patton brought together about 20 people for the Medicaid workgroup.

Utah Department of Health Declares Open Enrollment for PCN

Terry Gildea — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 23:30:56 +0000

The Utah Department of Health announced that it will allow open enrollment for its health coverage plan known as Primary Care Network or PCN. The plan is designed to provide low income people and families with preventative care options, but there are many services it does not cover.

PCN has been closed to enrollment since March 2012, but enough funding currently exists to allow for open enrollment over the next three to four weeks. Kolbi Young is a spokesperson for the Utah Department of Health.

New System Gives Ambulances Perpetual Green Light

Whittney Evans — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 20:34:06 +0000

The emergency medical and public safety communities in Salt Lake City are welcoming a new traffic system that allows faster, safety patient transport to trauma centers.

Troy Madsen is an emergency physician at the University of Utah. He says in a crisis situation, saving minutes and even seconds can be the difference between life and death.

Utah Looks to Expand Suicide Prevention Efforts

Whittney Evans — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 22:49:40 +0000

Suicide is on the rise in Utah; and mental health professionals are at the Salt Palace Convention Center this week talking about how to improve prevention efforts.

Utah had the 10th highest suicide rate in the nation in 2010 according to the Utah Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health.

Division Assistant Director Doug Thomas says suicide is too often a permanent solution for a temporary problem.

Lawmakers Set Course for Medicaid Decision

Andrea Smardon — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 15:56:27 +0000

Wednesday night, the Utah Senate guaranteed that Governor Gary Herbert will play a key role in deciding if the state will expand its Medicaid program. Lawmakers in both chambers approved a substitute bill that now sets guidelines for how the Governor will make his decision.

Clearing the Air: Health Consequences

Andrea Smardon — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 21:38:40 +0000

Utah physicians declared a public health emergency in the middle of a particularly bad air pollution season this year, pointing to spikes in ER visits, respiratory and cardiovascular episodes, and even deaths. Governor Gary Herbert declined to declare an emergency and says that some activists are exaggerating the problem. In the final story in our series of reports on Clearing the Air, KUER looks at what we know and don’t know about the health effects of Utah’s air pollution.

Ban on Medicaid Expansion Passes House

Whittney Evans — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 22:45:00 +0000

The Supreme Court's ruling on the Affordable Care Act permits states to opt out of the law's Medicaid expansion, and that’s what Utah House lawmakers aim to do with House Bill 391. The bill would ban Utah’s governor and the Department of Health from expanding the Medicaid program. It passed the Utah House of Representatives this morning and now heads to the Senate where it faces opposition from leadership.

Bill Advances to Stop Medicaid Expansion

Dan Bammes — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 20:28:00 +0000

A bill that would stop the state of Utah from expanding its Medicaid program under the Affordable Care Act passed a committee vote Wednesday evening.

Supporters Rally for Medicaid Expansion

Dan Bammes — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 22:19:45 +0000

Supporters of expanding Utah’s Medicaid program under the President’s health care plan don’t expect to see a decision during the legislative session. But they came to Utah's state capitol Friday to make their point anyway.

UDOH Cost/Benefit Report on Medicaid Expansion Delayed

Brian Grimmett — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 20:08:05 +0000

The Utah Department of Health says that the privately contracted cost/benefit analysis of the optional Medicaid expansion is still not complete. The Social Services joint appropriations committee had planned to hear the report Tuesday morning.

Report Shows Medicaid Expansion Would Create Jobs, Stimulate Utah Economy

Andrea Smardon — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 00:06:15 +0000

A new report shows that Utah’s economy would benefit from an expansion of Medicaid, creating thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in economic activity.

The report comes from the national nonprofit organization Families USA and Utah Health Policy Project. UHPP Director Judi Hilman told KUER an expansion of Medicaid will allow millions of federal dollars to flow into Utah, stimulating the economy.

Autism Insurance Mandate to be Considered by State Senate

Andrea Smardon — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 16:34:52 +0000

A bill that would mandate insurance coverage of autism testing and treatment in Utah will advance to the floor of the state Senate. The Senate Business and Labor Committee approved the bill 5-2 Thursday, despite lawmakers concerns that the bill would not only cost taxpayer money, but would also drive up health insurance premiums.

Bill to Add New Students to U Med School Moves Ahead

Dan Bammes — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 23:24:15 +0000

The Utah Senate is ready to spend ten million dollars to expand the number of medical students at the University of Utah. Senate Bill 42 would let the University of Utah medical school add 40 slots for new students -- with the condition that the new applicants have a significant connection to Utah. The bill has bipartisan support. Democrat Luz Robles argued the shortage of doctors is worse in rural parts of the state.

Advocates Make the Case for Medicaid Expansion, Lawmakers Say it’s Governor’s Decision

Andrea Smardon — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 23:23:20 +0000

Healthcare advocates converged on the Capitol Friday to encourage lawmakers to expand Medicaid to more low income residents, but state lawmakers held off on debate for now, and said the Governor will have to make the decision.

Family physician Ray Ward kicked off the meeting of the Social Services Appropriations Subcommittee with an impassioned plea for the expansion of Medicaid to cover an estimated 145,000 more low-income Utahns.

Despite Efforts to Improve Security, Utah’s Medicaid Data is Breached Again

Andrea Smardon — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 23:49:28 +0000

The Utah Department of Health says human error caused the most recent data breach, where the personal information of 6000 Medicaid clients was lost on a thumb drive.

The mistake was made by an employee of a third-party contractor, Goold Health Systems, which processes pharmacy claims for Utah’s Medicaid program. State Health Department spokesman Tom Hudachko said the employee should never have downloaded data onto an unencrypted thumb drive.