Latest KFF Health News Stories
Overdosing At A Red Robin: Opioid Abuse No Longer Just On Fringes Of Society
“What does that tell you, the death in the mall?” says Luke Nasta, the director of an addiction treatment center, of a recent overdose on Staten Island. “It’s part of mainstream society.” In other news, the White House’s drug czar, who has had his own troubles in the past, speaks with Politico about combating substance abuse in the country.
Japanese Scientist Awarded Nobel Prize In Medicine For Work With Cells
Yoshinori Ohsumi’s work has led to key understandings about how cells adapt in response to stresses such as starvation and infection, which could help with the treatment of such diseases as cancer and Alzheimer’s.
Feds Approve Arizona Plan To Revamp Medicaid, But Reject Several Key Provisions
The changes proposed by Gov. Doug Ducey include establishing a requirement that the low-income residents on the Medicaid program contribute to an account to help pay for services such as dental and vision care. The federal government, however, rejected the governor’s request to institute a requirement that Medicaid enrollees look for work and that they be limited to five years of coverage.
House Republicans Call For Medicare To Halt Bundled Payment Reforms
At the crux of the GOP complaints is the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, an agency established by the health law to find ways to save Medicare money. The letter specifically mentioned two bundled payment programs, one for knee and hip replacement surgeries and the other for cardiac bypass surgeries and heart attacks. It also criticizes the agency’s proposal to change reimbursements for drugs administered in doctors’ offices.
Pence Key To Wooing Once-Skittish Anti-Abortion Leaders Back To Trump
“[Mike Pence is] just rock-solid on the issue of life, and no one will ever doubt his integrity on the issue or his willingness to lead on the issue,” says Penny Nance, chief executive of Concerned Women for America.
Drugmakers, Under Scrutiny, Find Scapegoat For Prices In Form Of Pharmacy-Benefit Managers
Pharmaceutical execs say high prices aren’t their fault; instead it’s the system that allows PBMs to benefit from the rebates they negotiate. Meanwhile, The Associated Press talks to the chief medical officer of Express Scripts, the largest pharmacy benefit management organization in the United States.
Desperate Local Officials Hungry For Newly Approved Zika Funds
During Congress’ months-long battle, local health departments had to beg and borrow money to cover their Zika response efforts. Now they might finally be able to get some help. In other news, the CDC warns that men exposed to Zika should wait at least six months before trying to have a child, a study finds that complications for children who contract the virus after birth are rare, and more stories.
Avoiding Medical Bill Mistakes
The Associated Press offers strategies to avoid paying health care bills that include errors. Also in the news, how getting a flu shot can help one’s pocketbook.
Insurance Industry’s Courting Of State Officials Raises Concerns
A Center for Public Integrity investigation finds strong ties between some state insurance commissioners and the industry they regulate. Other outlets report on insurance industry news, including updates on the proposed merger between Anthem and Cigna, a New Jersey case about Horizon Blue Cross and Blue Shield, high-deductible plans and military coverage for transgender services.
Health Law’s Future Post-Obama Depends On Ability To Evolve
Even supporters say it has structural and technical problems. And both presidential candidates have made clear they would seek to change at least some aspects of the law. In other news, the administration gives up the fight over bare-bones plans, and Minnesota’s insurance regulator sounds the alarm on the state’s marketplace.
First Edition: October 3, 2016
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Many Doctors Treating Alcohol Problems Overlook Successful Drugs
Two prescription medications have been found to be successful in helping many patients with alcohol cravings. Yet they are rarely used and many patients don’t know they exist.
Young Boy’s Struggle To Survive Sparked Push For Drugs For Terminally Ill
Ten-year-old Josh Hardy died last month. His struggle to survive helped to spur laws to get unapproved drugs to the terminally ill.
Video Chat? In Rural Areas Combating Drug Addiction, A New Way To Connect With Help
The federal government is supporting efforts to test whether telemedicine strategies can be used to treat Appalachia’s painkiller addiction crisis.
Twenty dying people, at peace with their mortality, shared their views on life, love and death with a Los Angeles artist for an exhibit at the Museum of Tolerance.
Women And The Zika Virus: Smart Questions And A Few Solid Answers
Here’s a breakdown of what women should know, and what is still unclear, regarding how Zika is transmitted, who is at risk and how to take precautions against it.
Viewpoints: ‘Public Option’ Doesn’t Work; Developing A Zika Vaccine; Pockets Of Innovation
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Research Roundup: Screening Colonoscopies For Seniors; Safety-Net Hospital Readmissions
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Outlets report on health news from Connecticut, Ohio, Arkansas, California, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Florida, Texas, Maryland and Georgia.
Some States Complain Medicaid Rule To Assess Enrollees’ Access To Care Is Too Burdensome
States with at least 90 percent of beneficiaries in managed care, like Florida, say there’s no point in spending the time to conduct the assessment of its Medicaid population. “We have a tiny fee-for-service population,” said Justin Senior, deputy secretary of the Division of Medicaid in Florida at the 2016 Medicaid Health Plans of America last week, according to Modern Healthcare. “We’re having to do as much work under the access rule as we are to comply with the managed Medicaid rule. It doesn’t make any sense.” News outlets also report on Medicaid developments in Nevada and Utah.