Latest KFF Health News Stories
Medicare Advantage Audit Uncovers Rampant Overcharging
All but two of the 37 health plans audited for 2007 were overpaid — typically several hundred thousand dollars too much.
How Unbranded Ad Campaigns Helped EpiPen Maker Skirt Regulations
The ad campaigns are a stealthy way for pharmaceutical companies to raise consumer awareness of a need for a drug without explicitly mentioning the drug itself, which allows them to avoid disclosing side effects. Meanwhile, a generic for the pricey EpiPen could be coming out as soon as next year.
Documents Reveal Congressional Advocacy On Behalf Of Controversial Cancer Doctor
From 2011 to 2016, 37 members of Congress wrote to the Food and Drug Administration asking the agency to grant constituents access to Stanislaw Burzynski’s cancer treatment. Critics say that congressional advocacy is giving the doctor unearned legitimacy and the patients a false sense of hope for a treatment that has been cited as potentially fatal to those who partake in the treatment.
Clinton Introduces Mental Health Plan Focusing On Early Diagnosis, Intervention
Hillary Clinton also is promising to create a national initiative for suicide prevention, hold a mental health conference within her first year in office, enforce mental health parity laws and prioritize training for law enforcement officers.
FDA: All Donated Blood Should Be Screened For Zika
The agency — in an effort to safeguard the nation’s blood supply — says even centers in states where Zika is not circulating should take precautions. Meanwhile, the Obama administration is warning that all funding will be exhausted by the end of September.
Threat Of Monopolies Looms As Insurers Withdraw From ACA Markets, Analysis Shows
More than 60 percent of counties in the United States could have only one or two options for coverage in 2017, according to a new analysis.
More Employers Moving Toward High-Deductible Plans And Prescription Drug Limits
A survey of D.C.-area employers shows that they are following the same health care cost-sharing trends as other businesses nationwide.
Protecting California’s Seniors From Surprise Hospital, Nursing Home Bills
Lawmakers approve bill to help Medicare patients with “observation care” costs.
FAQ: Hospital Observation Care Can Be Costly For Medicare Patients
A guide to help Medicare patients receiving observation care.
First Edition: August 29, 2016
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Hospital Surprise: Medicare’s Observation Care
You’re in a hospital and think you’re admitted. Maybe not. Many Medicare beneficiaries are surprised to learn that even after spending a couple of days, they are receiving observation care, which Medicare considers an outpatient service, so the seniors’ costs can be more than expected.
Teaching Medical Teamwork Right From The Start
In a joint project, the Cleveland Clinic and Case Western Reserve University are banking on a new building to kick start efforts to bring health professionals together by introducing collaboration into medical training.
Viewpoints: Repairing Marketplaces After Aetna Leaves; American Diet; Ky. Medicaid Changes
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Debate On EpiPens: Health Care System At The Heart Of The Problem; Hollow Promises
Commentaries on the controversy about the high prices for the drug that helps people with severe allergies.
Research Roundup: Drug Costs; Doctors’ Choices On Care; The 3 Rs; Zika Outbreak
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Outlets report on health news from California, Texas, Florida, Tennessee, Iowa, New York, Montana, Michigan, Virginia and Minnesota.
Responding To The Opioid Epidemic, The Surgeon General Reaches Out To Prescribers
Dr. Vivek Murthy is mailing letters to the 2.3 million physician-prescribers in America, urging them to to do three things: sharpen their prescribing practices, connect people who need it to treatment and help change how our country thinks about addiction. Meanwhile, other news outlets report on how street drugs continue to be a part of the crisis and offer details about how drug use and overdoses are taking a toll in California, Ohio, Texas and Maryland.
Nearly 50 Percent Of Teen Boys Have Received The HPV Vaccine
Almost 63 percent of girls have been vaccinated for the human papillomavirus. The Boston Globe looks at why Rhode Island vaccination efforts have been so successul. In other children’s health news, a study links violence exposure to higher viral loads for HIV-positive kids.
U.S. Labs Prepare For Zika Testing Needs That Could Outpace Current Capacity
An analysis identifies a significant gap between resources on hand and the potential need if the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s worst-case outbreak scenario comes to pass. Meanwhile, new transmission research finds that the virus can linger in vaginal tissue and an infant’s bloodstream for much longer than previously thought.
Another Local Infection Of Zika Reported In Palm Beach County
In other transmission news, Fla. Gov. Rick Scott will go to D.C. to push for funding, Planned Parenthood helps raise awareness about the virus in Miami and the World Health Organization reports there are no confirmed Zika cases related to travel to the Rio Olympics so far.