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After two testy committee hearings, a Georgia House health panel passed a bill Tuesday that would allow dental hygienists to practice in safety-net settings without a dentist present. The House Health and Human Services Committee vote came after agreement between the hygienists and the Georgia Dental Association on provisions in the bill. (Miller, 2/16)

Minnesota House Democrats are proposing a package of health care measures aimed at reducing drug costs, stopping fraud and adding greater transparency to medical bills. (Pugmire, 2/16)

In the run-up to Tuesday’s meeting, some questioned surrounded whether Florida Surgeon General John Armstrong would be confirmed. Armstrong’s been under fire for decreasing enrollment in the Children's Medical Services program, rising HIV infections and staff cuts in local health departments. (Hatter, 2/16)

Governor Wolf’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2016-2017 makes strategic investments that Pennsylvania’s seniors, children and families need to succeed. Pennsylvania faces a nearly $2-billion-dollar deficit. We can either raise revenue to address our budget crisis and make smart investments that will result in long term savings or we can cut vital services for our Commonwealth’s seniors, children and people with disabilities. (Kraus, 2/17)

U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill is renewing her call for Missouri legislators to pass a bill monitoring the sales of prescription drugs. Missouri is the only state that has no such database in place. McCaskill, a Democrat, contends that failure to pass such a law has contributed to Missouri’s epidemic of people abusing opioid prescription drugs and heroin. She blamed Missouri’s lack of monitoring on “a few legislators who believe this system would violate people’s privacy.” (Mannies and Leahy, 2/16)

A state lawmaker says Missouri's abortion laws need stronger steps to ensure the person giving parental consent for a teenage girl is actually her legal guardian. A House panel heard testimony Tuesday on legislation from Rep. Sonya Anderson that would require parents or legal guardians to provide written proof of their relationship to the minor seeking an abortion. Her bill would also change the process for a minor seeking a judge's permission to bypass parental consent requirements. (Aton, 2/16)

Marijuana Policy Project has unveiled more details about the medical marijuana amendment planned for Ohio this year. And it has named three Ohioans who will co-chair the campaign. (Borchardt, 2/16)