Latest KFF Health News Stories
Calif. Ballot Initiative Would Lock In Hospital Fees To Help Stabilize Funding For Medicaid
The measure, which has bipartisan support, would extend a fee charged to hospitals that is used to draw down additional federal funding for the health program for low-income residents. Also, outlets report on Medicaid news in Iowa, Wisconsin and Arizona.
How Pain Keeps Men Out Of The Labor Force
Bloomberg reports on how pain is the cause for a large segment of the men between the ages of 25 to 54 who aren’t in the labor force. In other public health developments, news outlets report on “biorights,” the risks of carbon monoxide and the connections between birth control, hormones and depression.
Big Soda’s Big Influence: Major Health Groups Sponsored By The Industry
A new study identifies 96 sponsorships, from 2011 to 2015, by Coca-Cola or PepsiCo to 96 health organizations, including American Heart Association and The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Meanwhile, a new report explores the ways diet is negatively affecting global health.
States Scramble As Opioid Epidemic Strains Already-Burdened Foster Care Systems
Children of parents who have overdosed are now flooding foster care systems and lawmakers, officials and organizations are struggling to accommodate them.
Employees Slow To Adopt Work-Provided Telemedicine Options
A survey finds that though 70 percent of large employers offered a telemedicine benefit this year, only 3 percent of employees have so far used the service. In other health technology news, the security of the Bitcoin platform may offers solutions for health record safety concerns.
As Medicare’s Enrollment Period Nears, Consumers Need To Assess Market Changes
Seniors who want to join a private Medicare Advantage plan or a drug plan can enroll between Oct. 15 and Dec. 7. In other news, one Massachusetts Medicare Advantage plan is trimming its roster of in-network physicians.
Watchdog Cites Outdated Equipment, Staff Retention For Diminished Care At Reservation Hospitals
Two new reports identify issues at the 28 hospitals directly operated by the federal Indian Health Service that can lead to substandard care for some Native Americans.
‘I’m Not Normal Anymore’: CIA’s Torture Tactics Have Left Lasting Mental Health Scars
Detainees who were subjected to torture at Guantánamo Bay are now dealing with persistent mental health problems, according to previously undisclosed medical records, government documents and interviews with former prisoners and military and civilian doctors.
Congress Poised To Tackle Mental Health Legislation In Lame Duck
“Even if it doesn’t pass this time, we’ve laid good groundwork for next year,” says Paul Gionfriddo, CEO of Mental Health America, saying his organization has talked to leadership on both sides of the aisle in both chambers. In other news, providers’ declining willingness to take some payments complicates mental health care access.
With Insurers Exiting Marketplace, Feds Prepare To Shift Consumers To Different Plans
Enrollees have been put on notice that if their insurer has left the market, and they haven’t actively chosen a new plan, the government will take action for them. Meanwhile, another call for repeal is sounded in the House.
Anthem Won’t Cover $300K Duchenne Drug, Citing Doubts About Treatment’s Efficacy
“The clinical benefit … has not been demonstrated,” Anthem said.
Mylan To Pay $465M To Settle Allegations It Overcharged Medicaid
The allegations centered around the rebates the EpiPen-maker offered the government. The makers of generic drugs pay rebates of 13 percent, but manufacturers of brand-name drugs must offer discounts of about 23 percent.
At Debate, Clinton And Trump Stay The Course On Health Care Stances
Much as they have for the entirety of the campaign, Donald Trump said he wants to repeal the law while Hillary Clinton maintained that she wants to fix what’s wrong with it. Meanwhile, media outlets fact checked the candidates’ claims about health care.
Beware Of Unapproved Stem Cell Treatments
Pricey and unproven therapies that sound too good to be true probably are.
First Edition: October 10, 2016
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Many Localities Find Past Ambivalence On Mosquitoes Hinders Zika Response
Efforts to control and track the mosquitoes that carry the Zika virus have been hampered by lack of resources.
Si es elegido, Trump tomaría el cargo en un momento difícil para la ley de salud, con muchos estadounidenses en ambos partidos quejándose sobre el aumento de las primas y los gastos de bolsillo. Lo que podría hacer para afectarla.
Viewpoints: Obamacare Through The Lens Of 2016 Politics; Desmond Tutu On Dignity In Dying
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Research Roundup: Insurance Churning; Hospital Readmission Rates; Teen HPV Vaccinations
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Outlets report on health news from Massachusetts, Florida, California, Ohio, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Minnesota and Wisconsin.