Latest KFF Health News Stories
The Drug Pricing Impasse: Each Complex Solution To Intricate Problem Has Powerful Opponent
News outlets report on stories related to pharmaceutical drug pricing.
Outlets report on health news from Minnesota, Oklahoma, D.C., Michigan, Massachusetts, Maryland, Texas, Illinois, Georgia, Wisconsin, Colorado, Kansas, New Hampshire and Missouri.
She ‘Lived Till The Last Moment’: 91-Year-Old With Cancer Chooses Adventure Over Treatment
When she received her diagnosis, Norma Bauerschmidt shunned treatment and went on a road trip instead.
Ben Stiller Credits Controversial Prostate Screening For Saving His Life
Experts are divided on the PSA screening test, though. “The problem is, PSA tests find a whole lot of prostate cancers that will never kill people,” urological surgeon Dr. Peter Albertsen. Meanwhile, a new treatment for prostate cancer seems promising to some, but others are worried.
In Epicenter Of Opioid Crisis, Facility To Treat Addicted Infants A Model For Rest Of U.S.
In Huntington, West Virginia, where the overdose rate is 10 times higher than the national average, the epidemic of babies being born addicted to opioids struck sooner than the rest of the country. So it has had time to create a facility to offer the newborns the best care.
Federal Officials Sign Off On Nebraska’s Plan To Expand Managed Care In Medicaid Program
In other news, the New York governor is weighing a bill that would require Medicaid to pay for donor breast milk for premature babies.
‘Woefully Inadequate’ Medicaid Process Endangers Nursing Home Patients
Medicare only covers the first 100 days for skilled nursing care, and then the patient has to switch over to Medicaid. But that process can be extraordinarily slow, causing some to be discharged even though they need care. A series of articles looks at this and other issues involving nursing homes.
Bill To Stop Medicare From Changing Some Drug Payments Could Cost $1.1B, CBO Says
Doctors groups and some members of Congress oppose the proposal by federal officials to cut reimbursement rates for drugs administered in doctors’ offices. Also, an inspector general’s report finds that Medicare spent $1.5 billion on defective heart devices and beneficiaries were also on the hook for expenses related to the devices.
Two Years After Scandal, Phoenix VA Continues To Founder
The Office of Inspector General reports that the hospital still struggles with scheduling and that errors could have led to the death of at least one patient.
FDA Must Propose New Graphic Warnings For Cigarette Packs, Anti-Tobacco Groups Say
A federal law compels the agency to add graphic images to the packs, but their first try was struck down by lawsuits from the tobacco industry. The FDA has yet to come up with alternatives.
FDA Issues Most Severe Warning Over New Hep C Drugs
Serious liver problems or death have occurred for some patients taking the treatment.
Fears Of Patients Being Turned Away Highlight Need For Regs On Free-Standing Emergency Centers
The free-standing departments are not legally required to serve all patients, regardless of whether they have insurance. As they begin to pop up across the country with greater frequency, some say there needs to be explicit rules on the centers.
To Expedite Anthem-Cigna Merger Decision, Judge Splits Up DOJ’s Antitrust Lawsuit
Arguments over the national impact of the proposed mega-merger will be heard first. Testimony related to local markets will follow. Connecticut is expected to serve as a prime example of the Justice Department’s case.
Staunch Anti-Abortion Advocate Pence Baits Kaine Over Hyde Amendment
Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., supports the amendment, which prohibits any federal dollars in Medicaid or other health programs from going toward abortions, even though Hillary Clinton wants to get rid of it. At the vice presidential debate Tuesday, Ind. Gov. Mike Pence pounced on the issue. Media outlets also fact check health care related claims from the night.
Bill Clinton Backpedals After Calling Health Law ‘Craziest Thing In The World’
Hillary Clinton helped clarify her husband’s remarks by saying that she has pointed out the health law has room for improvement and that’s what he was trying to convey. Republicans, meanwhile, seized on the comments.
Obama Administration Approves Kentucky’s Plan To Move To Federal Health Marketplace
Once elected last year, Republican Gov. Matt Bevin moved to dismantle the state’s successful online health marketplace and instead let residents buy their plans through the federal exchange.
DOJ Asks Judge To Dismiss $338M Suit Over Risk-Corridor Payments
As the administration faces a growing number of similar suits, the move could signal a stronger stance against the insurers.
HHS: Millions Are Missing Out On Health Law Tax Credits
About 2.5 million people who are not buying insurance through the exchanges are missing out on subsidies.
First Edition: October 5, 2016
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Can We Conquer All Diseases By The End Of The Century?
According to the neurobiologist heading a much-publicized effort funded by Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, putting scientists and engineers under one roof will be key.