Three red states voted to expand Medicaid in Tuesday’s election. Voters in Idaho, Nebraska, and Utah said yes to ballot initiatives to expand coverage for low-income residents, joining 33 other states that have done so under the Affordable Care Act. Montana, however, voted to end its expanded Medicaid program after four years. (New York Times)
Former Celgene CEO Bob Hugin lost in his New Jersey Senate bid. Hugin challenged incumbent Democrat Robert Menendez in a closer-than-expected race, but his connections to President Donald Trump weighed him down with Garden State voters. (NJ.com)
Dialysis provider DaVita scored a big win in California after voters rejected a measure capping its earnings on some patients. The company’s shares jumped 9% after the results came in. If passed, the measure would have cut as much as $400 million of the company’s annual profits. DaVita spent $66.6 million lobbying against the ballot measure. (CNBC)
CVS is planning to test concept stores with more health services early next year after the Aetna deal closes. The stores will focus on managing common chronic conditions like diabetes or asthma, extending primary care to CVS, as well as guiding patients after hospital discharge and managing complex chronic conditions like kidney failure. CVS’ acquisition of Aetna is expected to close this month. (CNBC)
Havas Media Group has hired Bret Leece to lead global data and innovation. Leece is joining the company in the newly created role from Dentsu Aegis Network. He will oversee the creation of new data products and services to inform media buying. (MM&M)
