Colorado lawmakers are close to making a public health plan option a reality in the state, according to CPR News.

The following payer executive changes were announced in May:

Eighty-five percent of Americans 50 years and older oppose cutting Medicare to reduce the federal budget deficit, according to a survey from the AARP.

A special session regarding Wisconsin Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act adjourned in less than a minute May 25 without debate or votes, according to Wisconsin Public Radio. 

House Democrats issued a request for information May 26 to create a public option for health insurance coverage, a policy President Joe Biden has expressed support for but hasn't taken steps toward implementing. 

Jefferson Health is poised to pick up 100 percent ownership in a Medicaid and Medicare health plan, according to the Philadelphia Business Journal.

Kaiser Foundation Health Plans and Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans were among the highest-ranked health plans in the most regions, according to consumer insight firm J.D. Power's annual member satisfaction survey.

Healthcare costs for a family of four in 2020 dropped 4.2 percent from 2019 because of the pandemic, according to the 2021 Milliman Medical Index report.

Blue Shield of California's pharmacy initiative with San Francisco-based technology company Gemini Health resulted in drug cost savings of $20 million in its first two years.

Orange, Calif.-based Medicare Advantage company Alignment Healthcare's program for chronically-ill seniors has grown to serve more than 4,000 high-risk members since launching in 2017, the company said May 26. 

The Health Reimbursement Arrangements Council held its first meeting May 21, according to Think Advisor.

Insurance software developer Majesco announced it will work with Cigna to develop a new digital platform for its supplemental health business.

Multiple health insurers filed a lawsuit against CVS Health on May 21, accusing the company of upcharging for prescription drugs by submitting claims at "artificially inflated prices." 

With the coverage of 15,000 people in the balance, Virginia's Mary Washington Healthcare and Cigna have yet to reach agreement on a contract that expires May 30, according to The Free Lance-Star. 

The IRS issued guidance May 18 on expanded COBRA subsidies under the American Rescue Plan.

Anthem director Julie Hill sold 1,308 shares of the payer's stock on May 20, according to MarketBeat.

An analysis of quarterly and year-end financial statements of five Illinois Medicaid companies by the Better Government Association revealed an unprecedented increase in profits from April through December of 2020.

New mothers in Texas with Medicaid insurance could keep their coverage for an additional six months postpartum instead of two, according to the Texas Tribune.

Medicaid programs in several states have made headlines over the past few weeks, as policy changes prompt lawsuits, new waiver submissions and studies.

Health insurer Anthem failed to comply with some federal coding requirements, resulting in overpayments of $3.47 million, according to a May 24 inspector general report.