Healthcare

State Agency Offering Help During Last Week Of Medicare Open Enrollment

Paige Browning — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 14:29:52 +0000

Medicare open enrollment season ends Friday for those looking to change or sign onto a health program. A Washington state agency has open arms for those scrambling for insurance advice.

States Brace For Federal Health Care Ruling

Chris Lehman — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 00:22:50 +0000

The U.S. Supreme Court could rule any day now on the Constitutionality of President Obama's health care overhaul. The decision could have broad implications for state health care policies in the Northwest.

Study: Health Insurers Charge Idaho Women Hundreds More Than Men

Jessica Robinson — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 23:40:04 +0000

A new nationwide study says Idaho has one of the widest gaps between how much money insurers charge men and women. The survey by the National Women’s Law Center found women pay around $700 more each year. The practice, known as “gender rating,” is banned under the health care overhaul now before the nation’s highest court.

Public Health Official: More State Cuts Could Delay Disease Warnings

Austin Jenkins — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 01:45:29 +0000

WaOLYMPIA, Wash. – The Washington legislature has three weeks to rebalance the state budget. One way House Democrats propose to do that is to eliminate a series of payments that currently go to cities and counties. That proposal emerged Tuesday. Reaction from local governments was swift.

Madigan Investigates PTSD Diagnosis Problems

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 00:59:11 +0000

The head of Madigan Army Medical Center south of Tacoma has been removed from his post. The administrative action comes as the Medical Center investigates whether soldiers had their diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder reversed to reduce the cost of a medical retirement.

Abortion Bill Clears Washington State House

Ruby de Luna — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 02:10:35 +0000

The Washington State House has passed a bill that requires insurance companies that cover maternity services to also include procedures to terminate pregnancies. Women in Washington State already have access to abortion services. The bill attempts to preserve the status quo.