Latest KFF Health News Stories
Medicare Proposes Changes In Pain Questions, Cuts In Payments To Hospitals’ Off-Site Facilities
The changes are part of the proposed hospital payment rule, which was released Wednesday. Also in Medicare news, a House committee is calling for funding for a consumer assistance program that a Senate committee rejected, Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, questions plans for possible changes in cancer drug payments and some Medigap rates are rising in Michigan.
Expensive Specialty Drugs Are Driving Increased Spending By Insurers, Study Finds
Researchers see the trend as a foreshadow of what’s to come as more and more high-priced treatments are released onto the market.
White House Announces New Precision Medicine Measures
The Precision Medicine Initiative’s goal is to modernize and accelerate biomedical discoveries, bringing new treatments to patients faster. Some of the new steps include plans to speed the development of tests used to identify genetic mutations and the development of tools to make data collection easier for researchers.
Both Parties Seize Upon Administration’s Slow Pace In Redirecting Ebola Funding To Combat Zika
The Obama administration has only distributed about one-sixth of the Ebola funding that it’s using to fight the virus. Republicans say that proves their point that Congress has some breathing room before it becomes absolutely necessary to pass legislation for it. Democrats, however, say moving money out the door takes time, which is all the more reason to act quickly on Zika. Outlets also report on developments out of Florida, Puerto Rico and Kansas.
House Republicans Release Their 2017 Health Spending Bill
The measure includes increases to help combat opioid abuse and the Zika virus as well as a funding boost for the National Institutes of Health, which is lower than what the Senate OK’d last month. In addition, it also targets Obamacare by rescinding some of its existing funding.
House Overwhelmingly Passes Bill To Revamp Mental Health System
The bill, introduced by Rep. Tim Murphy, R-Pa., has been stalled for years. But House leaders scaled back some of the more controversial elements to get the legislation through. Plans for Senate action are unclear.
Opioid Bill’s Fate In Peril As Republicans Rebuff Dems’ $920M Funding Proposal
What started out as bipartisan legislation has devolved into party politics as Democrats try to add funding to the bill. Without the money, the measure’s future in getting through the full Senate is uncertain.
House GOP Report Finds Administration Spent Billions On Health Law Without Authority
The report by two House committees is expected to be released Thursday. Also in the news, a study finds that the health law’s insurance surcharges for tobacco users were not effective, more concerns are raised about co-ops set up under Obamacare and a new plan comes into the marketplace in Wisconsin.
Planear por adelantado para cuidados al final de la vida
Un nuevo beneficio de salud disponible para millones de californianos anima a las personas a discutir opciones con los doctores para cuidados al final de la vida.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Despite Federal Directive, Texas Denies Medicaid Coverage For An Autism Therapy
The state’s Medicaid program quit covering the expensive therapy, called applied behavioral analysis, leaving some families scrambling to afford the treatment.
Gingrich, Kennedy Take On Opioid Addiction — The KHN Conversation
Patrick Kennedy, a former congressman from Rhode Island, and Newt Gingrich, who was once the House speaker, are advancing policies to combat this national crisis.
Advance Planning For Your End-Of-Life Care
A new health benefit available to millions of Californians encourages people to discuss end-of-life care options with their doctors.
Medical Marijuana Linked To Modest Budget Benefits For Medicare Part D, Study Finds
A Health Affairs study determines that Part D spending went down slightly on prescription drugs for which medical marijuana is viewed as a possible alternative.
Study: Brand-Name Drugs’ High Copays Soak Medicare Part D Patients
A study in Health Affairs finds Medicare Part D beneficiaries were charged copays averaging 10.5 times more for Crestor and Nexium than generic drugs would have cost them.
Consumers’ Sunscreen Picks Don’t Always Track With Doctors’ Advice, Study Says
Researchers examined shoppers’ reviews of sunscreen products on Amazon.com and found that their the ratings often were based on scent, texture and performance, but didn’t necessarily take into account whether the products were consistent with dermatologists’ recommendations.
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Bill Gates Defends Drug Pricing System, Saying The Companies Are ‘Turning Out Miracles’
News outlets report on the pharmaceutical drug industry.
Outlets report on health news from Maryland, California, Texas, New Hampshire, New Jersey and Minnesota.
Stem Cells Could Usher In A New Era For Treating Cavities; 20 Years Post-Dolly And No Human Clones
In other public health news, a new study finds that child-centric marketing techniques are contributing the obesity epidemic, experts worry about the slow disappearance of playtime, a woman talks about her experience with bipolar disorder and researchers find that few people want doctors to help them speed up the dying process.