OVERNIGHT HEALTH: Walker rejects Medicaid expansion

by Sam Baker and Elise Viebeck - 02/13/13 11:30 PM ET

The CDC’s figures are here.

‘Unsafe for regular human consumption’: Health advocates are calling on the Food and Drug Administration to regulate the amount of sugar in U.S. beverages, citing health concerns such as obesity and heart disease. The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) filed a 54-page petition with the Obama administration Wednesday joined by the Baltimore, Boston, Los Angeles and Philadelphia public health departments. “As currently formulated, Coke, Pepsi, and other sugar-based drinks are unsafe for regular human consumption,” said CSPI executive director Michael F. Jacobson in a statement.

{mosads}Beverage makers say their products don’t play a role in U.S. obesity, and that consumers should have a wide range of drink choices. Read more about the CSPI push here.

IPAB repeal vote: Maybe, maybe not. House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-Mich.) said Wednesday that he’s not sure whether the House will vote again to repeal President Obama’s controversial Medicare cost-cutting board known as IPAB. The board is a major source of conservative ire, and House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) suggested Nov. 7 that the House could vote to repeal it in a last-ditch effort to push back against the healthcare law. Read more about Upton’s comments at Healthwatch.

Mental health in schools: Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-Calif.) reintroduced legislation Wednesday to provide grants to schools that want to hire metal health professionals. The bill has 45 original co-sponsors, and a Senate bill is being sponsored by Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.). Both lawmakers have been on the forefront of mental health debates in Congress following December’s mass shooting in Newtown, Conn. Read more about the bills here.

Thursday’s agenda

The Senate Finance Committee will hold a hearing on progress of building health insurance exchanges.

The House Energy and Commerce subcommittee on Health will hold a hearing on Medicare physician payments.

The Senate Appropriations Committee will hold a hearing on the impacts of budget sequestration featuring testimony from the Office of Management and Budget.

The American Public Health Association will hold an event on adolescents and mental health.

State by state

Medicaid decision awaited from 11 GOP governors

State policies on Medicaid committee disclosure vary

Calif. reveals details of health-law insurance plans

Medicaid expansion bill clears Indiana Senate panel

Ga. governor signs Medicaid tax compromise

Lobbying registrations

Franklin Square Group / Practice Fusion

CJ Lake / United Agribusiness League

Venn Strategies / National Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity

Thorn Run Partners / The Colorado Health Foundation