Latest KFF Health News Stories
Electronic Health Records Creating A ‘New Era’ Of Health Care Fraud
The federal government funneled billions in subsidies to software vendors and some overstated or deceived the government about what their products could do, according to whistleblowers.
Texas Law Highlights Dilemma Over Care For Patients With No Hope Of Survival
The Texas Advance Directives Act gives hospitals the authority to stop life-sustaining support if another hospital won’t accept the patient. The family of Tinslee Lewis, a 10-month-old with serious medical problems, is fighting to keep her in hospital care.
Paying It Forward: ‘Bill Of The Month’ Series, A Vital Toolkit For Patients, Wraps Year 2
In our ongoing, crowdsourced investigation with NPR and CBS, we’ve armed future health system pilgrims with the tools they need to avoid exorbitant medical bills and fight back against unfair charges. Here’s a look back at 2019’s stories.
Government-Funded Day Care Helps Keep Seniors Out Of Nursing Homes And Hospitals
The aptly named Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly provides services funded by Medicaid and Medicare that range from medical and mental health care to hot lunches, recreation, transportation and haircuts. California’s newest PACE center opened recently in San Diego County.
For Her Head Cold, Insurer Coughed Up $25,865
A New York City woman, worried that her sore throat might be strep, got swabbed at her doctor’s office. The sample was sent to an out-of-network lab for sophisticated DNA tests ― with a price tag similar to a new SUV.
California AG Details ‘Historic’ Settlement Agreement In Sutter Health Antitrust Case
Sutter Health will pay $575 million to settle a high-profile antitrust case filed by California’s attorney general. In addition, it has agreed to end a host of practices that the state alleged unfairly stifled competition.
Must-Reads Of The Week From Brianna Labuskes
Newsletter editor Brianna Labuskes wades through hundreds of health care policy stories each week, so you don’t have to.
Watch And Listen: The ACA In Limbo Again
KHN’s Julie Rovner is on PBS NewsHour and WBUR’s “Here & Now” to talk about the repercussions of a federal appeals court decision striking down the health law’s key requirement for people to get health coverage.
Demócratas debaten si es “realista” un Medicare para Todos
Los siete candidatos que participaron del último debate de 2019 hablaron sobre la practicidad de una reforma radical de la atención médica, específicamente, de Medicare para Todos.
Editorial pages focus on these health topics and others.
Media outlets cover health care news from Illinois, New York, California, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Texas, Florida and Minnesota.
Each week, KHN finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Public Health Roundup: The Mysterious Diplomat Illness, CRISPR’d Pigs, Vaping Deaths And More
Researchers have long been stumped about a mysterious set of symptoms that affected more than a dozen diplomats. New tests offer clues to what’s happening in their brains, even though doctors still haven’t found a cause. In other public health news: gene-editing, infertility, driving under the influence of marijuana, and more.
Deadly, Five-State Listeria Outbreak Traced Back To Hard-Boiled Eggs
According to the CDC, the eggs were packaged by Almark Foods in Gainesville, Ga. Four of seven people who reported infections across five states have been hospitalized, and one death was reported in Texas.
Since the country started cracking down on the opioid crisis, doctors and other medical professionals have tried to walk the fine line of making sure patients who need medication get it and not exacerbating an epidemic. National Academies scientists have offered a new framework that they warn shouldn’t be considered ironclad. In other news on the crisis: a drug distributor allegedly concealed security flaws that fueled the epidemic, the Sackler family fights to keep its name associated with Tufts, and more.
CMS Shuts Down Medicare Tool Following Discovery Of Bug That May Have Exposed Consumers’ Data
The tool was launched to help beneficiaries better organize their medication lists. The potential breach was contained though to about 10,000 authorized users.
A report from the Office of Inspector General for HHS found that the reforms were too narrow and weren’t implemented at all the facilities. The review came after it was revealed that the agency protected a doctor who was abusing young boys in his care for decades. Other Trump administration news comes from the CMS, Justice Department and FCC.
According to a report produced for Senate Democrats, the Consumer Product Safety Commission approved recalls in a way that actually generated more business for the company at fault. That’s because rather than getting new, safe products or refunds following a recall, consumers are often offered discount coupons for new products.
Pharma Still Reeling As House Passes Trade Deal Without Market Exclusivity Provision
The North American trade pact is moving swiftly through Congress. The legislation is noticeably missing a provision that would have granted market exclusivity for biologics for 10 years. The removal of the protection was a big win for Democrats and a huge loss for the pharmaceutical industry. In other news: an Ebola vaccine, nerve drugs, biotech stocks, a subscription model for medication, and more.
Senate Sends Sweeping Spending Bill With Tobacco Age Ban, Gun Violence Funding To Trump
The $1.4 trillion package contained wins for both parties. But many major health care issues — such as surprise medical bills — were left untouched. Congress faced a Friday night deadline to approve the funding to avoid a shutdown. President Donald Trump is expected to sign the legislation.