California Moves to Protect Smokers from Higher Obamacare Insurance Costs

Kaiser Health News

Smoking has its risks – but in California, higher prices for health insurance probably won't be one of them. The federal health law allows states to charge smokers up to 50 percent more for a health plan – but legislation is moving forward in the California legislature that will make sure that doesn't happen. And unlike other efforts around the country to alter the law, this is one coming from a Democrat. The Affordable Care Act is supposed to remove discrimination in the pricing of health insurance for things like gender and a person’s medical condition. And some say a tobacco surcharge creates a new category of discrimination that singles out smokers.

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Exclusive: White House to Streamline Obamacare Application

Time (Opinion)

A few weeks ago, I gave the President a tough time about the slow and messy implementation of his health care plan. But there’s been some progress in recent weeks — and I’m happy to pass it on. One of the things that concerned me was the 21-page application form that was required for people to join a health care exchange — which, if you’re unfamiliar with the jargon, is an online health-insurance superstore (think Orbitz or Hotels.com) where individuals will have the collective market power of large corporations like, say, Time Warner.

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Analysis: Large Part of Prison Rx Spending Goes Toward Anti-Psychotics

Associated Press

In recent years, California has spent significantly more on anti-psychotic medications for inmates than other states with large prison systems, the AP/Washington Post reports. Findings of AP Analysis: According to records obtained by the Associated Press, anti-psychotic drugs account for nearly $1 of every $5 spent on pharmaceuticals for the state prison system.

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Debating Age Limits on Tobacco

New York Times (Opinion)

The New York City Council has taken up a proposal to raise the minimum age for tobacco purchases to 21 from 18, the strictest such limits in any major American city. Smoking declined significantly among the city’s teenagers from 2005 to 2007, then remained level through 2012, and Christine C. Quinn, the City Council speaker, has cited “clear data” showing that 80 percent of smokers begin before age 21.

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DEA Holds Nationwide Prescription Drug Take-Back Day

CBS

It is the safest way to dispose of unneeded and expired medication. The Drug Enforcement Administration has conducted a nationwide prescription drug take-back day. Tim Williams reports the effort deters a potential problem that’s growing bigger all the time. Saturday, a Harford County parking lot was a hot bed for drug activity, but it wasn’t people buying from dealers creating the traffic. It’s responsible citizens turning in unwanted drugs to federal agents.

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Chris Christie Comes Out For Good Samaritan Drug-Overdose Bill

Huffington Post

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has come out in favor of a good Samaritan law that would allow drug overdose victims to call 911 without fear of legal repercussions, drug policy reform advocates announced on Monday. Christie's decision to reverse his earlier opposition to the bill paved the way for a compromise measure to pass the state Senate and Assembly by overwhelming bipartisan margins on Monday. New Jersey will join 11 other states and the District of Columbia, which have similar laws, if he signs the bill as expected.

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Narconon under investigation again

WSBradio.com

The Scientology-linked drug rehabilitation program known as Narconon of Georgia is again in trouble with the law. This time, agents from the Georgia Insurance Commissioner’s office and Gwinnett County District Attorney Danny Porter are looking for evidence of insurance fraud.

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