NAHU has once again activated our UNITE program in response to the wildfires raging throughout parts of California. We encourage members to contribute gift cards for those NAHU members affected that can be used for fuel, food, hotel and other sundries. Chapters in California will coordinate to distribute assistance to members needing assistance. Please do not send cash or checks; send gift cards to:

Kimi Shigetani
Executive Director, California AHU
California Advocates Inc.
2520 Venture Oaks Way, #150
Sacramento, CA 95833
916-239-4099, ext 118
kimi@cahu.org

Stephanie Berger
CAHU President
Collaborative Insurance Solutions
79 Daily Dr, #276
Camarillo, CA 93010
805-995-9602
SBerger@InsuremeCIS.com

-CMS released a report on U.S. healthcare spending, finding an increase of 4.3% in 2016. This is lower than the 5.8% increase in 2015 and the 5.1% increase in 2014, but higher than the average from 2008-2013 when spending grew at an average of 3.8% annually. However, out-of-pocket costs increased by 3.9%, the highest rate in a decade.

-Eliminating the ACA’s individual mandate penalties may be just the beginning of a backend method of repealing and replacing the healthcare law, including possibly paving the way for states to implement their own enforcement mechanisms to encourage people to obtain coverage.

-Former CMS Acting Administrator Andy Slavitt argues in JAMA that it is only a matter of time before the U.S. adopts healthcare for all.

-A leading candidate for Maryland governor is calling for single-payer healthcare.

-United Healthcare is planning to buy the dialysis group DaVita for $4.9 billion in cash, increasing the scope of its in-house providers.

-The Aetna-CVS deal is making headlines for its potential to reshape the healthcare sector. Could it also lower healthcare prices?

-CMS Administrator Seema Verma has led the effort to implement work requirements for Medicaid recipients, but the opioid epidemic is complicating these efforts as many in recovery could lose their benefits and relapse without access to treatment.

-Maine voted to expand its Medicaid program despite the five vetoes issued by its Republican governor, which has given some expansion supporting governors in states with apprehensive legislatures ideas for how to make it work.

-Kaiser profiles a navigator who provides a critical link in a limited-English proficiency community, where the uninsured rate has been cut in half among Vietnamese Texans.

-The International Space Station may not be as healthy of an environment on you might think—it turns out astronauts bring a lot of germs with them.

-On the one hand, drinking wine can lead to many health complications. On the other hand, it can have many health benefits. We’ll just stick with a glass of wine in both hands.