Latest KFF Health News Stories
Large Health Systems Asking Medicare For Relief From Some MACRA Requirements
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has already announced that physician practices with less than $90,000 in Medicare revenue or fewer than 200 unique Medicare patients per year did not have to comply with the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) that set up a new payment formula for doctors. Larger health systems are complaining that they need relief from the burden as well, though.
Secret Settlements Can Keep Sexual Misconduct Allegations Against Doctors Hushed Up
Two cases at the renowned Cleveland Clinic are examples of how confidential settlements cover up misconduct in the health industry.
Picking Name Out Of Bowl Might Determine Fate Of Medicaid Expansion In Virginia
A House of Delegates race in Virginia is drawing national attention because the seat determines if Republicans retain power of the state chamber. The outcome will affect how hot-button issues such as Medicaid expansion play out in the state. The winner for the seat — the Republican candidate — was selected on Thursday, but the loser will have an option to request a recount.
Administration Decision On Medicaid Work Requirements Expected Soon
Nine states are applying for federal waivers to impose the requirements for able-bodied adults enrolled in Medicaid. The Obama administration had refused such requests. Elsewhere, tensions are growing in Maine as the governor seeks to stop the Medicaid expansion approved by voters, frustrations with Iowa’s managed care program are raising concerns among lawmakers and budget requests for Medicaid programs in Arkansas and Alabama come in lower than expected.
Justice Department Announces It’s No Longer Taking Hands-Off Approach To Legalized Marijuana
Attorney General Jeff Sessions says he is revoking an Obama-era policy that was deferential to states’ permissive marijuana laws, but it’s not clear exactly what that means. However, the industry, which was riding a high from California legalizing recreational marijuana use, is worried.
‘Preparing For The Unthinkable’: CDC To Teach Health Professionals What To Do In Case Of Nuclear War
The agency is holding a teaching session for doctors, nurses, epidemiologists, pharmacists, veterinarians, certified health education specialists, laboratory scientists, and others to prepare them for how to act in case of a nuclear detonation.
Under Trump’s Proposed Rules, Small Businesses Could Band Together To Buy Health Plans
Republicans say that relaxing restrictions on association health plans will make coverage more affordable, but critics cite a history of fraud and abuse that has left employers and employees with hundreds of millions of dollars in unpaid medical bills.
Cloud Of Uncertainty Over Legalized Pot As Feds End Obama-Era Accommodation
Officials in marijuana-friendly states reacted strongly to new guidance from U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions giving federal prosecutors leeway to crack down on cannabis.
First Edition: January 5, 2018
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
From Retirement To The Front Lines Of Hepatitis C Treatment
This doctor came out of retirement with the goal of treating every patient at high risk for hepatitis C he encounters. The problem is finding them.
Readers Have Bones To Pick, From Health System Flaws To Covering Pot Beat
Kaiser Health News gives readers a chance to comment on a recent batch of stories.
Maine Voters Chose Medicaid Expansion. Why Is Their Governor Resisting?
Even though voters in Maine decided to expand Medicaid through a ballot measure, the law’s fate is still unclear. Gov. Paul LePage says the Legislature must find funds for it without raising taxes. Advocates say the law is on their side and expansion must be implemented.
Trump Administration Rule Paves Way For Association Health Plans
Proponents say the proposed regulation will give some consumers more affordable insurance options. Critics warn that the coverage could be less comprehensive.
Podcast: ‘What The Health?’ While You Were Celebrating …
In this episode of “What The Health?” Julie Rovner of Kaiser Health News, Paige Winfield Cunningham of The Washington Post, Alice Ollstein of Talking Points Memo and Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times discuss this week’s news, including release of the administration’s new rules on association health plans, as well as some health-related court rulings and other events that happened around the holidays.
A selection of opinions on health care from news outlets around the country.
Thoughts On Curbing The Opioid Epidemic: Not All ‘Well-Intentioned’ Battle Plans Are ‘Good Ideas’
Opinion writers offer their thoughts on the current status of the nation’s attempts to address the opioid crisis and the areas in which they are watching for action.
Longer Looks: Crowdfunding Health Care; Why Humans Sleep; And Pseudoscience In Health
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Media outlets report on news from New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Florida, Texas and New Jersey.
Depending On Where You Live In Minnesota, Medical Treatments Could Cost You 8 Times As Much
An “eye-opening” study finds vast disparities in cost within just one state. But some say that the study shows only one piece of the complex puzzle behind rising health care costs in Minnesota and across the nation.
Evolving Gender Roles, Shrinking Job Opportunities Are Helping Shift More Men Into Nursing
Where there was once a stigma for men to enter the female-dominated field of nursing, the changing economical and social landscape is changing that. “This narrative that men can’t provide care in the way that women can is part of that broad cultural narrative that misunderstands what nursing’s about,” said Adam White, a nursing student.