In an investigation notice, CDC warned that chicken owners should not "kiss or snuggle backyard poultry" or "eat or drink around them" as doing so "can spread Salmonella germs," in today's bite-sized hospital and health industry news from Georgia, Kansas, and Massachusetts.

• Georgia: In an investigation notice, CDC warned that chicken owners should not "kiss or snuggle backyard poultry" or "eat or drink around them" as doing so "can spread Salmonella germs to your mouth and make you sick." CDC issued the notice as a warning to backyard poultry owners after 163 confirmed cases of salmonella were detected in 43 states, with children under five making up a third of the cases. No one has died from the reported cases, CDC said (Jenkins, The Hill, 5/20).

• Kansas: Gov. Laura Kelly (D) on Wednesday vetoed a bill that would have allowed people using short-term insurance plans, which can currently last up to one year, to purchase new plans for an additional two years without the insurer reconsidering terms. Supporters of the bill said it would shield short-term insurance consumers from premium increases or changes to coverage. However, opponents said the measure would encourage people to use what they called "junk insurance" plans for longer (AP/Modern Healthcare, 5/20).

• Massachusetts: Tufts Health Plan and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care has named Cain Hayes as CEO, effective July 5. Hayes most recently served as president and CEO of Gateway Health in Pennsylvania, and previously served as president and COO of health business at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota. Hayes will succeed Tom Croswell, who is retiring (Bartlett, Boston Business Journal, 5/20).