Latest KFF Health News Stories
Massachusetts Looks To ACOs As Model For Revamped Medicaid Program
The Boston Globe answers some fundamental questions about the biggest change in 20 years in the state’s health care program for low-income residents. Also in the news, an Iowa family planning clinic says it is closing and blames problems caused by the state’s move to managed care for Medicaid.
UPS Seeks Bigger Role In Medical Shipping Industry With New Acquisition
UPS announces it is buying Marken Ltd, which specializes in delivering medicine and materials used in 49,000 clinical trial locations around the world.
For FDA, ‘Screaming Unmet Need’ For Antibiotics May Outweigh Significant Safety Concerns
A regulatory panel very narrowly recommended that a new antibiotic be approved for use, even though its structure is similar to an older antibiotic that caused fatal liver injuries.
Pharma Dealt Blow As Supreme Court Declines To Hear Pay-To-Delay Case
The Supreme Court in 2012 left open to interpretation whether a cash payment in pay-to-delay deals was the only sort of arrangement that generated antitrust concern. But by declining to hear the appeal of a ruling that says the concern goes beyond cash the court is effectively settling the matter. In other news, the oral arguments for the CRISPR patent case are set for the beginning of December.
Senators Want EpiPen-Maker To Reimburse Defense Department $50M
The Pentagon gets a government discount on EpiPens dispensed at military treatment facilities and by mail order, but not on prescriptions filled at retail pharmacies. Lawmakers are also calling on the Federal Trade Commission to launch a probe of the company.
Federal Judge Blocks Administration’s New Rule That Allows Residents To Sue Nursing Homes
Judge Michael Mills in Mississippi says he is sympathetic to the Obama administration’s argument against the practice of forced arbitration in many nursing homes, but he thinks the federal rule is an “incremental ‘creep’ of federal agency authority.”
Feds Seek To Boost Enforcement Of Mental Health Parity Laws To Help Combat Opioid Crisis
The Obama administration has turned its focus to making sure insurers understand that coverage for the treatment of drug addiction must be comparable to that for other conditions such as depression or cancer. Meanwhile, a new report out of Massachusetts shows an alarming surge in overdose deaths.
Healthcare.gov Capacity Being Tested By This Year’s Enrollment Period
News outlets report on various aspects of this year’s health insurance sign-up period.
“Court records alone show these drug companies have the morals and ethics of junkyard dogs,” says Garry South, the “Yes” campaign’s chief strategist. In other Election Day news, patients in hospitals may still have a chance to vote, a look at the direction the presidential candidates would take health care policy if they win, a rundown of important races and more.
First Edition: November 8, 2016
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Vietnam Veteran Who Died Of Hepatitis Added To Memorial Wall
Members of the military are more than twice as likely to have contracted hepatitis C than the general population. For many, the effects are felt years after the infection began.
‘Durable Cure’ Is Goal For Childhood Cancer, But Recent Patients Have Persistent Issues
People treated in the 1990s report worse health problems later in life than those treated in the two previous decades.
Big Hospital Network Cracks Down On The Right To Sue
Some networks of hospitals, doctors and medical services are now so dominant in their region that they can hike their prices and force patients to waive the right to sue when things go wrong.
Laughing Gas For Labor Pain? It’s Poised For A Comeback
Nitrous oxide for laboring women was popular in the U.S. until the mid-20th century when it went out of favor when birth became more medicalized. Now, midwives are putting it back on the “menu” of pain relief options for childbirth.
California’s Drug Price Initiative: Will Voters ‘Send A Signal To Washington’?
Despite heavy opposition from the pharmaceutical industry and skepticism from policy experts, many voters see Proposition 61 as a way to protest the nation’s mounting drug prices.
Viewpoints: ACA Isn’t In A Death Spiral; States, The Election And Medicaid Expansion
A selection of opinions and editorials from around the country.
State Highlights: In Fla., A Detailed Plan To Combat Zika; Brain Surgery In The Twin Cities
Outlets report on health news from Florida, Minnesota, California and Missouri.
Report Offers Fixes For Texas’ Troubled Foster Care System
Improving children’s health records was one area that experts targeted for improvement.
Federal Medicaid Officials Approve Major Revamping Of Mass. Program
The overhaul, which includes an infusion of federal funds, is designed to help focus the state’s Medicaid system on changes to improve quality of care. Also, federal officials deny New Hampshire’s request to add a work requirement for Medicaid enrollees, and an auditor finds abuses in a Medicaid program that gives elderly and disabled people non-medical assistance at home.
Community Paramedicine Programs Keep Vulnerable Older Patients Out Of ERs
The hospital can be a dangerous place for older patients, not to mention costly. But programs cropping up across the country are providing both emergency and non-emergency care to them in the comfort and safety of their own homes.