Latest KFF Health News Stories
Insurers Test New Way To Cut Maternity Care Costs: Bundling
More insurers are experimenting with paying health care providers one lump sum to cover the cost of maternity care. Physicians and insurers hope the model — known as bundled payments — will help improve health outcomes.
KHN’s ‘What The Health?’: Impeachment And The Health Agenda
Washington is abuzz with impeachment talk, but what impact would such a move have on congressional action on prescription drug prices and surprise bills? Also, a study out this week shows that health insurance costs for both employers and workers continue to rise. This week, Joanne Kenen of Politico, Paige Winfield Cunningham of The Washington Post and Rebecca Adams of CQ Roll Call join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more.
Editorial writers weigh in on these health care issues and others.
Perspectives: Who Could Lose Out Under Pelosi’s Drug Plan?; The Trade War’s Impact
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Media outlets report on news from Texas, Colorado, Tennessee, Maryland, Maine, California, Connecticut, Missouri and Wisconsin.
A weekly round-up of stories related to pharmaceutical development and pricing.
Defendants Object To Massive Volume Of Documents In Upcoming Landmark Federal Opioid Case
The number of witnesses in the upcoming case was trimmed down from 150 to 85 on Wednesday. Plaintiffs from two Ohio counties have accused the drug companies and distributors of creating a “public nuisance” that harmed the health of residents, and operated in concert, in much the same way as an illegal drug gang would. News on opioid-related issues focuses on a lost bid for a lawsuit, Chris Christie’s $800,000 consulting contract with a drug maker, efforts to help family members, and more.
CEO Of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Steps Down After Revelation Of Car Crash Charges
After news came to light of his arrest this summer in an alleged alcohol-related car accident, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina CEO Patrick Conway resigned from the insurer. Chief Operating Officer Gerald Petkau will step in as interim CEO. The incident also put a planned affiliation with Cambia Health Solutions on hold.
Glaxo Halts International Distribution Of Zantac Because Of Cancer Concerns
Also, Novartis AG’s Sandoz unit recalled its generic version of the drug, called ranitidine, on Tuesday, confirming it had found worrisome levels of the carcinogen called NDMA.
Lafayette General Seeks Merger To Create Regional Hospital Hub In Southwest Louisiana
“Just last year, Louisiana ranked as our nation’s least healthy state,” said board chairman David Wilson. ” …we will be able to provide better access to health care here in Acadiana and to continue growing our local economy.” Other hospital industry news is on a new children’s hospital in Louisiana, security lapses at Stanford Hospital in a locked psychiatric unit, and PTSD’s impact on nurses.
Health Care Products Planned By Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy All Closely Watched By Marketplace
Amazon’s kickoff into telemedicine is already impacting potential competitors. And in moves that could shake up the health care industry in the future, Walmart says it is teaming up with companies to offer discounts to its customers while Best Buy touts a plan to provide health monitoring services for seniors. Other marketplace news covers the ambulatory surgery industry and developments in consumer genetic testing.
Kaiser Permanente, Unions Reach Contract Deal To Avert Strike
The four-year agreement, which covers 85,000 employees in seven states and the District of Columbia, must still be voted on by workers. It would raise wages, offer new education programs and curb outsourcing of some jobs.
Cost Of Job-Based Health Insurance Premiums Exceeds $20,000, Tightly Pinching Workers’ Wallets
Workers contribute about $6,000 on average to that cost, but they also shoulder increasingly high deductibles and copayments.
New Medicare Advantage Plans Offer Many New Supplemental Options That Regular Medicare Doesn’t
About a third of people opt for Medicare Advantage plans, and during the upcoming enrollment period they will now see options for things that will help them prevent illness, like carpet shampooing. But Medicare Advantage can still restrict access to doctors and hospitals. In news on Medicaid, the CMS acting director Calder Lynch identifies ways to control spending.
House Republicans Rebel Against Pelosi’s Drug Plan While Senators Release Bipartisan Bill
GOP members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee took a hard line at the first hearing on the proposals by Speaker Nancy Pelosi to curb drug price increases. Meanwhile, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) released a plan he and Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) are offering on the issue. But both sides acknowledged that progress on the issue may be stymied for now given the partisan divide on Capitol Hill.
Impeachment Could Easily Derail Congressional Agenda — Including Gun Safety And Drug Pricing
A bitter impeachment debate in Washington may push legislative matters to the side. Other news on Capitol Hill includes complaints about ads against legislation seeking to end surprise medical bills, concerns about funding for community health centers and a bill to help marijuana businesses get banking services.
FDA Acting Chief On Vaping: ‘In Retrospect, The Agency Should Have Acted Sooner’
The Food and Drug Administration is under pressure from Capitol Hill to keep its commitment to be more aggressive in its regulation of e-cigarettes.
Under The Vaping-Scare Microscope, Juul CEO Steps Down, Company Attempts To Pivot
Kevin Burns, the Juul CEO, will be replaced by a veteran of the tobacco industry — a development that is raising doubts about the company’s future.
Could Vape Bans Have Unintended Consequences?
As states take steps to tamp down on vaping, questions are emerging about whether such actions could stimulate a black market for the products. In related news, Rhode Island joins the list of states to place restrictions on e-cigarettes; vaping deaths in Florida and Georgia are added to the national tally; and a Michigan vape shop filed suit to block the state’s ban on flavored e-cigarettes, among other headlines.
First Edition: September 26, 2019
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.