Ruby de Luna

The Washington State Supreme Court Thursday heard arguments in a case that could decide whether faith-based employers have some exemption from the state’s anti-discrimination law.

It’s official. Washington has reached a milestone in creating its own health exchange. Monday, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced Washington is among six states to make significant progress in developing an online market for health plans.

Next fall, Washington’s health exchange is expected to be up and running. The exchange is an online market for health plans. Right now the Health Exchange Board is trying to figure out how to pay for itself. On Friday, the Board is considering different options.

Democrat Suzan Del Bene has won. She beat Republican John Koster in the congressional race for the newly drawn first district. Election returns show Del Bene ahead in three of the four counties.

Democrat Suzan Del Bene has won. She beat Republican John Koster in the congressional race for the newly drawn first district. Election returns show Del Bene ahead in three of the four counties.

Low income parents will soon have a way to get treatment for their children with autism. Starting in January, Washington state will cover applied behavior analysis therapy for kids with Medicaid coverage. The new benefit is part of a legal settlement between the state, and a local advocacy group for children with autism.

Public health experts are now recommending that pregnant women get the vaccine for whooping cough during pregnancy. The recommendation is in response to the growing outbreak of the disease in the U.S.

Delta Airlines wants to expand service to Asia. By next summer it plans to offer non-stop flights from Seattle to Shanghai, China. The airline will also offer nonstop flights between Seattle and Tokyo. The additional international service will be expanded through its partnership with Alaska Airlines.

Delta CEO Richard Anderson announced the proposed routes Monday morning at SeaTac Airport. He says delta will fly Boeing 747-400 jets to Japan’s Narita Airport…

About one out of five Medicare patients returns to the hospital within a month after being discharged. Those readmissions are often preventable. As Ruby de Luna reports, starting in October, Medicare will penalize hospitals with high readmission rates.

The new policy is part of the national health care law to reduce hospital readmissions. The goal is to reduce cost and improve patient care.

Dr. Nancy Fisher is Chief Medical Officer with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, for Region 10. She says three-quarters of these readmissions are preventable.

Just in time for open enrollment season—insurance companies are required to explain health benefits in plain language. The new requirement is part of the affordable care act that takes effect this week.