The order bans the sale of all vaping products and devices in the state for four months, in today's bite-sized hospital and health industry news from Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Ohio.
- Massachusetts: Gov. Charlie Baker (R) on Tuesday ordered a temporary four-month ban on the sale of vaping products in the state, the first action of its kind in the United States, according to the Associated Press. The ban applies to all vaping products and devices. According to Baker's administration, 61 cases of potential lung disease related to vaping have been reported in Massachusetts (LeBlanc, Associated Press, 9/24).
- New Jersey: Hackensack Meridian Health and St. Joseph's Health on Wednesday announced a clinical partnership, which expands on existing an collaboration between the two organizations. Through the partnership the health systems will pursue an ambulatory care joint venture, as well as a new women's health center and the addition of two proton-therapy machines. Officials at the health systems said the partnership will also bring more specialists to the area (Kacik, Modern Healthcare, 9/25).
- Ohio: Lawyers representing Summit and Cuyahoga counties on Wednesday outlined their planned arguments for an Oct. 21 federal trial against opioid drugmakers and distributors. The lawyers plan to show how the drugmakers and distributors harmed public health and safety by fueling the opioid epidemic and why they should be required to pay damages and pay for substance use treatment, emergency services, and health care, among other things (Anderson, Becker's Hospital Review, 9/25).