Editors’ Top 5, Week of November 13, 2017

Dexcom CEO Tells Investors Not to Fear New Competition from Abbott’s Freestyle Libre
Now that the Abbott Freestyle Libre has received FDA clearance, Abbott and Dexcom will be forced into tight competition in the US market. On Dexcom’s third quarter call, CEO Kevin Sayer spent some time assuaging investor fears about that friction. (Jonah Comstock/MobiHealthNews)

Medicaid Expansion
Voters in Maine approved a ballot initiative to expand the state’s Medicaid program under Obamacare, sending a clear signal of support for the federal health care law to lawmakers in the state and Washington D.C. As reported on Reuters, The Legislature’s Office of Fiscal and Program Review in Maine estimated that expansion of Medicaid would cost the state about $55 million and bring in about $525 million of federal money to the state each year, according to the Bangor Daily News. More context can be found in this American Journal of Managed Care blog. Meanwhile, the state of Nebraska has its eyes on asking voters there to weigh in—this story is via The Daily Progress. Plus, the latest word from CMS Administrator Seema Verma.

Veterans E-Health and Telemedicine Support Act Passes
The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously voted to pass the Veterans E-Health and Telemedicine Support (VETS) Act of 2017 on Tuesday, which will allow Department of Veterans Affairs’ providers to cross state lines to practice telemedicine. The bipartisan legislation received overwhelming support from Congress, trade groups and providers when introduced this fall. (Jessica Davis/Healthcare IT News)

Why Invacare Corporation is Rising
The company issued third-quarter results. While management doesn’t offer guidance, it stated that North American home medical equipment sales should “continue to improve sequentially in the fourth quarter.” (Brian Feroldi/The Motley Fool)

Feds Get Teeth for Making Sure Health Care Is Ready for Disasters
The federal government will be able to fine—and possibly shut down—nearly all health care facilities that aren’t ready for a disaster. Many of these health care organizations weren’t required to have emergency plans before this—meaning they’re starting from scratch. (Abe Aboraya/WLRN)