Latest KFF Health News Stories
How Narrow Is It? Gov’t Begins Test Of Comparison Tool For Health Plan Networks
This fall, the tool will be available in four states with hopes of expanding it to other states in the future.
Kratom Gets Reprieve From Drug Enforcement Administration
The agency has decided to leave kratom off its list of highly restricted drugs for now. The DEA is asking for public comment and help from the Food and Drug Administration in evaluating kratom.
Reformas en California atacan fraude en compensación a trabajadores
California está tomando medidas enérgicas en el sistema estatal de atención médica de trabajadores lesionados, con dos proyectos de ley firmados recientemente por el gobernador Jerry Brown.
Report: States Increase Cost Controls To Manage Medicaid Growth
Medicaid enrollment and total Medicaid spending are projected to rise more slowly for 2017, but states’ tab will grow faster as the federal government begins to taper its funding for Obamacare expansions, the Kaiser Family Foundation reports in its annual 50-state survey.
California Reforms Target Workers’ Compensation Fraud
Two new laws will prohibit felons from billing for workers’ comp and rein in unsanctioned treatment.
Viewpoints: Paying For Drug Coupons; What About Those Obamacare Haters?
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Longer Looks: Trump’s Changing Stances; Life On A Locked Ward; Low-Sodium Pizza
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Outlets report on health news from California, Kansas, Tennessee, Delaware, Georgia, Colorado, Florida, New York and Minnesota.
Drones Could Be Used As Tool In Battle Against Spread Of Zika
A grant will help officials explore the use of the aerial vehicles and other such innovative ideas. In other news on the virus outbreak, no homegrown cases have yet been found in Central Florida or further to the north.
Following FDA Warnings, Reports Of Fatalities, Company Discontinues Teething Gel
Other side effects experienced by the infants included seizures, shortness of breath, vomiting and constipation.
Study: For Every Life Saved By Mammogram, Four Are Over-Diagnosed And Over-Treated
“Mammography can help a few — a very few — women, but it comes at a real human cost, including people undergoing treatment unnecessarily,” says Dr. H. Gilbert Welch, one of the authors of the study.
On Precipice Of Rare Alzheimer’s Breakthrough, Researchers Hold Their Breaths
In a field where roughly 99 percent of experimental treatments have failed in clinical trials, one drug company thinks they finally cracked the code. In other public health news, gene editing offers hope for those with sickle cell disease, astronauts’ exposure to radiation could create major cognitive issues, a study finds 14 million kids may be exposed to toxins in their schools and more.
Conflicts Of Interest Rampant In Crucial Medical Research Tool, Study Finds
Scientists rely heavily on meta-analyses and systematic reviews, but a new study has found them to be increasingly generated by researchers who have financial interests in the outcome.
DEA Backs Down Over Plant Some Use To Wean Selves Off Opioids
The Drug Enforcement Administration was considering making kratom a schedule 1 drug.
With New Reforms, Zenefits Looks To Close Chapter On Past Riddled With Issues
The company, which helped employers buy health insurance, ran into trouble after it was discovered its founder had created a program to allow sales representatives to skirt requirements on a state insurance licensing course.
Lawmakers Hear Warnings About Toll MACRA Could Take On Small Practices
As the draft rule on this new Medicare physician payment structure is being finalized, a group of GOP physician-lawmakers expresses alarm to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Other coverage details the role that commercial insurers have in slowing the trend toward value-based payment models and the “predicament” faced by Wills Eye Hospital when it comes to Medicare.
Humana Stumbles On News Of Lower Medicare Rating
The percentage of Humana’s membership in plans rated four stars or higher dropped to about 37 percent in July from 78 percent. Humana says the lower rating will negatively affect future revenue.
Waxman Continues Crusade Against Big Pharma’s Profit-Padding From New Perch As Lobbyist
The program former Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) is lobbying for allows hospitals that serve a large proportion of low-income patients to buy drugs from manufacturers at a discount of 20 percent to 50 percent. In other news, a look at why drug coupons are benefiting the industry.
Staunch Supporter Turns On Health Law, Saying It’s ‘No Longer Affordable’ For Many
Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton’s criticism is the latest sign of trouble with the Affordable Care Act. Meanwhile, conservative groups urge Congress to block “bailouts” to insurers.
First Edition: October 13, 2016
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.