Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
To Attract Diverse Talent, Starbucks Offers One Of Most Comprehensive Health Packages To Transgender Workers In U.S.
Seven years ago, Tate Buhrmester made the decision to come out as transgender while working as a supervisor at a Starbucks Corp. SBUX 0.24% store in Austin, Texas. 鈥淲hen I came out at work, I told my Starbucks partners [as the company calls its employees] to call me by my new name, Tate, and they were very accepting. I never had any problems,鈥 he says. Two things eased Mr. Buhrmester鈥檚 transition: being able to choose his preferred pronouns and name, and being covered by the Seattle-based coffee chain鈥檚 medical benefits. (Sardon, 10/26)
Two years ago, Uber launched Uber Health, through which health care providers like the Cleveland Clinic order rides for patients using a HIPAA-compliant platform. That same year, Lyft debuted a service called Lyft Concierge that gave businesses, including health care providers, a way to manage rides for clients and patients. (Christ, 10/27)
In other health industry news 鈥
New York鈥檚 insurance regulator said it is launching an investigation into a UnitedHealth Group Inc. algorithm that a study found prioritized care for healthier white patients over sicker black patients. The state鈥檚 Department of Financial Services said it sent a letter Friday to UnitedHealth Chief Executive David Wichmann asking for the company to either show the algorithm isn鈥檛 racially discriminatory or stop using it. The New York Department of Health joined in sending the letter. (Evans and Wilde Mathews, 10/26)