National Roundup

Ohio 5 health care plans join Medicaid lawsuit in Ohio COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- A Franklin County judge has allowed five more health care plans to join a lawsuit challenging Ohio's preliminary Medicaid contract awards. Aetna Better Health of Ohio is suing the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services because state officials had tentatively picked the company for a Medicaid contract in April, then revoked the decision after a state review of applications. The Columbus Dispatch reports Common Pleas Judge Richard Sheward on Monday allowed winning bidders to intervene in the case, and he's expected to approve similar requests from two other health care plans that didn't win contracts. The judge has temporarily blocked the state from moving forward on Medicaid contracts. He has scheduled a July 23 hearing on Aetna's request for a permanent injunction. Colorado Lawsuit filed over Colorado medical marijuana rule DENVER (AP) -- Two Colorado Springs medical-marijuana dispensary owners have filed a lawsuit asking the state Department of Revenue to clarify rules on approval needed to begin growing plants for patients. Michael Kopta and Alvida Hillery are facing criminal prosecution after state officials alleged they were over their plant limits. According to the Denver Post, a spokeswoman with the Department of Revenue's Medical Marijuana Enforcement Division did not return messages for comment. Under Colorado law, dispensaries can grow six plants for every patient who qualifies. Illinois Retired judge sues over new health care charges SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) -- A retired judge is suing over a new law that will begin charging some state retires for health insurance. Gordon Maag is a retired appellate judge who lost when he ran as a Democrat against Republican Lloyd Karmeier for a seat on the Illinois Supreme Court from the 5th Judicial District in southern Illinois in 2004. The State Journal-Register reports that Maag wants the law declared unconstitutional. He's also asking that his lawsuit be declared a class-action on behalf of all retirees. Last month, Gov. Pat Quinn signed the law, which will eliminate reduced or even free health insurance for more than 80,000 retired government employees. Quinn said retirees deserve quality health care but the change was needed to make the system more cost-efficient for Illinois taxpayers. Wisconsin Federal judge dismisses Sandusky lawsuit MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- A federal lawsuit filed by a man alleging that former Penn State football coach Jerry Sandusky sexually abused him during a Wisconsin Badgers home football game in 2002 has been dismissed by a judge who called the allegations frivolous and malicious. U.S. District Judge William Conley says in the order dated Friday that the allegations appear to come from Jonathan Lee Riches, who the judge says as "vexed the court system with thousands of frivolous lawsuits before his recent release from federal prison." The Wisconsin lawsuit was filed by someone claiming to be Jonathan Bollinger, cousin of former Badgers quarterback Brooks Bollinger. Conley ordered Riches to show by the end of the month why he should not be held in contempt of court. Published: Tue, Jul 10, 2012