Happy spring – hope the weather where you are is as great as it is in the northeast…we finally get to tell our friends in Florida that things are just fine, thank you.
Off we go to catch you up before you start the weekend
First, thanks to Billy Wynne for hosting the April Fool’s Edition of Health Wonk Review. There’s discussion of Obamacare’s status, the ICD10 situation, medical devices and pharma, and a great piece on hospitals and health systems’ future.
WorkCompWire’s got the very welcome news that the long-sought TRIA extension may happen sooner rather than later – good news indeed for the WC industry. There’s a bill moving in the Senate to extend TRIA for seven years, raise the deductibles and make other changes necessary for bi-partisan support.
Pennsylvania’s House unanimously passed a bill limiting physician dispensing of drugs to work comp claimants to 15 days from the date of injury. That’s great – but not as great as it seems. Word is opponents are going to work to slow/stop the bill in the Senate. Email your Senator and voice support for HB 1846.
The workers comp investment world is all abuzz; there are at least four pending transactions with two rumored to be looking for a pre-RIMS close date. Whether they make it is anyone’s guess, but the opportunity to make a splash at the annual confab is plenty of incentive for all parties. Expect hoop-la and trumpets blaring, announcements touting the wonders the new deals will have for all, and accolades for the geniuses who got them done.
Then ask yourself, this helps me how?