Latest KFF Health News Stories
In Setback To Insurers, Judge Sets Aetna-Humana Trial For December
The later trial date means a ruling isn’t likely to come down until January. The companies have an agreement that if the merger isn’t approved by Dec. 31, Humana has the option to walk away from the deal.
GOP Candidates Distance Campaigns From ‘Repeal-And-Replace’ Mantra Of The Past
The health law, one of most politically charged topics of the day, has faded into the background of the 2016 elections. Meanwhile, The Washington Post looks at how talking about the candidates’ mental health in soundbites can be a tricky business.
Brewing Health Law Storm Could Rain On Next President’s First Month In Office
The fourth Obamacare signup period ends about one week before inauguration on Jan. 20, and could set the tone for the future of the health law following a precarious year for insurers on the marketplace.
Maternal Mortality Rates Rise In U.S. — Higher Than Most Other Industrialized Countries
Researchers aren’t sure why the rates have increased, but think that women having children later in life and C-sections play a role in the grim statistics. In other public health news, the Pulse shooting provides lessons on how paramedics and other responders should act in the aftermath of such events.
First Edition: August 11, 2016
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Teaching In-Home Caregivers Seems To Pay Off
Intensive training for such aides helps reduce repeated ER visits and hospitalizations of elderly disabled people, a pilot project suggests.
Insurance Rules Can Hamper Recovery From Opioid Addiction
Medicaid and other health insurers require doctors to file time-consuming paperwork before allowing them to prescribe drugs that help people quit opioids. That delay fosters relapse, specialists say.
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Outlets report on health news from California, New Hampshire, North Carolina, New York, Florida, Wyoming, Georgia, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
N.Y. Medicaid Program Paid $2.3M In Managed Care For Dead Patients, Auditors Find
Auditors say they identified 119 dead people enrolled in Medicaid and 1,177 enrollees who died and weren’t automatically removed. In other news, dental reimbursements in Kansas frustrate providers.
Stem Cell Researcher, ‘Adept Bridge-Builder’ To Take Helm Of Harvard Medical School
Dr. George Q. Daley says he wants to focus on increasing connectivity across the community of powerful hospitals that train Harvard med students.
Prevalence Of Hypertension At Record High, Study Finds
Meanwhile in other public health news, an expert puts a social cost on the Flint water crisis, young scientists think they’ve found a way to kill superbugs, the FDA is urged to reset its nutrition policy and a group challenges the ban over e-cigarettes on planes.
Long Wait Lists Leave Gaping Hole In Safety Net For Disabled Americans As Caregivers Age
Many Americans with developmental disabilities can wait years to get the proper services they need, and as their caregivers get older they run the risk of ending up in an institution.
More Essure Lawsuits Expected Following California Court Ruling Against Bayer
The judge’s decision to allow the cases to proceed could also have wider implications for all device makers. In other news related to women’s health, Colorado’s Health Department finds that a Colorado Springs hospital did not properly disinfect vaginal ultrasound probes as well as other equipment.
‘If It’s Not Banned, Athletes Will Use It’: The Legal Doping Loophole
Olympians are using legal prescription drugs to improve performance, such as ones that improve blood flow.
Valeant CEO Paints Picture Of Rosy Future Amid Rumblings Following Disappointing Q2
Joseph C. Papa tried to reassure investors with promises of reorganization and a new strategy, but backing them up will be a tall order for the new CEO.
New Devices Doctors Can Test Out In Offices Responsible For Spike In Medicare Spending
The way Medicare sets payments for new services can make doing the tests lucrative for doctors who invest in the machines.
Baby Girl Is First Known Zika-Related Death In Texas, Second In U.S.
The infant’s mother had traveled to Latin America during her pregnancy and the baby was born with microcephaly.
Clinton Latest To Urge Congress To Pass Zika Funding ‘Immediately’
In response, Republican leaders called out Hillary Clinton’s running mate Sen. Tim Kaine, saying he and other Democratic lawmakers should end their filibuster. In other news, a report reveals the struggle public health officials had trying to understand and contain the first home-grown case of Zika, and Americans still aren’t worried a poll finds even as Florida reports more cases.
Ballot Initiatives Nudge 2016 Health Care Talks Past Scripted Back-And-Forth On ACA
California and Colorado are among the states that have high-profile health care measures on their ballots this November that pivot the discussion toward issues other than Obamacare.