Virginia State

UnitedHealthcare will launch a national program Oct. 1 for physicians to override traditional prior authorization requirements. The gold card program, which applies to commercial, individual exchange and Medicare Advantage plans, allows certain physician practices to not submit prior authorization requests for “certain medical, behavioral and mental health services,” according to a fact sheet released by the company.

UnitedHealth institutes gold card program to address prior authorization concerns

The Senate Appropriations Committee has approved legislation that would allow Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) doctors to recommend medical marijuana. Under current law, VA doctors are prohibited from recommending medical marijuana to their patients, even if those patients reside in states where medical marijuana is legal. A provision that would end this prohibition is included in the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies 2025 budget, approved today by the Senate Appropriations Committee in a unanimous voice vote.

U.S. Senate Committee Approves Bill Allowing VA Doctors to Recommend Medical Marijuana

Military.com

Joining the military is a significant and commendable choice, but it’s also a decision that requires both thought and preparation. Because many recruits stumble before they even begin their service, understanding and avoiding common missteps can significantly enhance your experience and readiness for military life.What are some common mistakes candidates/recruits make before joining the military? How can I avoid them? Thanks -- JasonJason, that is a great question, as we can all learn from other people's mistakes. My mistake before attending the Naval Academy was that I focused too hard on making the football team and neglected the military fitness...

5 Common Mistakes Recruits Make Before Joining the Military

Polk County, FL

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Fort Meade, FL

Uncovering Florida

The Polk County Sheriff's Office has made an arrest after conducting an investigation into a case of credit card fraud involving 28-year-old Burger King employee, Kellyn Miley. The incident was discussed in detail during this morning's briefing with Sheriff Grady Judd.

Burger King Employee Caught Using Customer's Credit Card for Food at Former Job

Texas State

Latin Times

It's been a busy week for Greg Abbott. On Monday, he celebrated the latest arrest from his "10 Most Wanted Criminal Illegal Immigrants" list. Later on in the week, news came out that nonprofit organizations are denouncing civil rights abuses committed in Operation Lone Star his administration's attempt at dealing with the rise in illegal immigration, the illegal drug trade, and human smuggling.

Greg Abbott's new anti-immigrant hospital policy will 'throw patients for a loop', advocates warn

New Jersey State

Jersey City, NJ

Morristown Minute

NEWARK, N.J. – Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights (DCR) have issued Findings of Probable Cause against six property management companies and owners in various counties for failing to comply with requests for emotional support animals. These actions stem from alleged violations of the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD).

Housing Discrimination Against Emotional Support Animals Targeted

Colorado State

David Heitz

A bill quietly introduced this spring in the Colorado legislature to decriminalize the possession of drug paraphernalia obtained by harm reductionists has become law. As low-key as the legislation was introduced, the bill was signed into law without fanfare June 6. It garnered little to no media attention.

Colorado legalizes needles, pipes for meth and crack if obtained by harm reduction group

About 24.8 million people have been disenrolled from Medicaid as of Aug. 1, according to data from KFF. KFF has been tracking Medicaid enrollment since May 3, 2023, after the continuous enrollment requirement enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic ended March 31, 2023. The tracker uses information from state websites and CMS.

24.8M people now disenrolled from Medicaid: 13 notes for dentists

Georgia State

Tallahassee, FL

Daily Coffee Press

The FBI is investigating the disappearance of a now 13-year-old girl who went missing from Florida last year and has ties to Georgia and Tennessee. A $15,000 reward is being offered to anyone with information that can lead to her location.

FBI Investigating Disappearance of 12-Year-Old Girl Who Has Ties to Georgia

Florida State

With hurricane season posing a consistent threat six months out of the year, who would not like a little help getting their home ready for the harsh weather to come? Senate Bill 7028: My Safe Florida Home Program, approved by Governor DeSantis on April 24, 2024, and effective as of July 1, appropriates a one-time total of $200 million from 2024 to 2025 for the purpose of funding hurricane mitigation grants and inspections, as well as outreach and administration costs, to support homeowners in Florida.

DeSantis Signs New Bill Giving $200 Million To Homeowners

Denver, CO

More dangerous substances are entering the Denver drug supply, Harm Reduction Action Center warned in a newsletter this week. “The Iron Law of Prohibition posits that as law enforcement becomes more intense, the potency of prohibited substances increases,” HRAC Executive Director Lisa Raville wrote in the newsletter. That is exactly what is happening, she said.

Dangerous substances entering Denver drug supply

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Dicle Belul

Medicare Advantage has experienced an increase in denied prior authorization requests in recent years, with 7.4% of requests being denied in 2022, up from 5.8% in 2021. This trend is concerning for seniors relying on Medicare Advantage for their healthcare needs. The denial of prior authorization requests can lead to frustration and obstacles in accessing necessary treatments and services. While prior authorization is intended to ensure the medical necessity of a service, some seniors feel their needs are being unfairly rejected.

Rising Denials in Medicare Advantage Impede Senior Care

UPI News

Texas Gov. Gregg Abbott has signed an executive order directing hospitals to collect the immigration status of patients and report healthcare costs incurred by undocumented immigrants to the state.

Texas Gov. Abbott directs hospitals to collect immigration status of patients

Los Angeles, CA

L.A. TACO

Last month, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) released video footage that shows a veteran LAPD officer chasing a young man through a Pacoima housing project before fatally shooting him in the back as he ran away.

20-Year-Old Fatally Shot in The Back By LAPD Officer in Pacoima Projects

Camden, NJ

Cornelius, NC

CAMDEN, N.J. – Lisa Smith, 61, of Cornelius, North Carolina, has admitted to her role in a fraudulent scheme involving over $3.5 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today that Smith pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Karen M. Williams in Camden federal court on July 17, 2024, to a charge of bank fraud conspiracy.

Woman Pleads Guilty to $3.5M COVID Relief Scam

Kentucky State

Northern Kentucky Tribune

Gov. Andy Beshear sent a letter to Anne Milgram, administrator for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) on Wednesday, expressing his support of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ recommendation that the DEA ease restrictions on marijuana.

Gov. Andy Beshear pens letter to DEA in support of easing federal restrictions on marijuana

Most people are guilty of doing it at least once in their lives, many people do it by accident, some do it because they find it fun, and others do it for reasons like honoring loved ones. Regardless of the situation, just about everyone has released a balloon. The difference is that intentionally releasing balloons is now illegal by House Bill 321’s standards.

Law Signed By DeSantis Makes It Illegal To Release Balloons In Florida

Washington, DC

WashingtonExaminer

Vice President Kamala Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff cut checks to a progressive legal group that pushed to defund the police and make Washington, D.C., a permanent “sanctuary city” for illegal immigrants, documents show. Legal Aid DC, a nonprofit organization in the district that works on housing law and represents low-income clients in other […]

Kamala Harris donated last year to defund police group backing DC ‘sanctuary city’ law

Douglas, GA

Last week, a 32-year-old was arrested on trafficking charges after allegedly fleeing from a traffic stop and abandoning the vehicle with a child in the passenger seat. The chase resulted in the discovery of 230 grams of methamphetamine, which the suspect allegedly threw out while fleeing on foot. According to local detectives, the vehicle the suspect was driving was registered to NFL football player Tyreek Hill.

Man Driving Vehicle Registered to Tyreek Hill Arrested on Drug Trafficking Charges in Douglas

Arkansas State

An Arkansas-based provider of mental and behavioral health services is notifying more than 375,000 individuals of a recent data theft incident potentially compromising their sensitive personal and medical information. The provider is already facing at least one proposed federal class action lawsuit in the wake of the breach. Arisa Health...

Hack on Arkansas Mental Health Provider Affects 375,000

NewsBreak

The VA's 2023 Hiring Spree: A Lot of Psychiatrists

This story, part of a series of investigative reporting projects by Military.com on service member and veteran health, was supported by the Pulitzer Center. The Department...

The VA's 2023 Hiring Spree: A Lot of Psychiatrists

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