Latest KFF Health News Stories
Official Tells Hill Panel Medicare May Revise Controversial Drug Payment Proposal
The Senate Finance Committee grilled Dr. Patrick H. Conway, a deputy administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, over an administration plan to change how Medicare pays for drugs administered in doctors’ offices.
Dark Cloud Over Abortion Providers’ High Court Victory: Damage Might Already Be Done
The Texas law, which took effect in 2013, shuttered many of the state’s clinics, and the road to rebuilding won’t be easy. Meanwhile, other states react to the ruling.
Supreme Court Rejects Mississippi, Wisconsin Attempts To Revive Abortion Restrictions
The orders follow a ruling Monday which struck down the admitting privileges law for abortion clinics in Texas.
Democrats Block Zika Bill; Tension Mounts As Lawmakers Trade Barbs Ahead Of Recess
The Republicans are accusing Democrats of being “sore losers,” while the Democrats are saying that including poison pills in the legislation is a “cynical ploy.” Meanwhile, the vote against the funding leaves very little time for the two sides to work out their differences before summer recess.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Will Louisiana’s Medicaid Expansion Be A Harbinger For Georgia?
Louisiana’s decision to accept the federal health law program to provide coverage to more low-income residents is being watched around the South, including in Georgia, where deep-seated opposition is showing some small signs of cracks.
Old Motels Get New Life Helping Homeless Heal
Using run-down motels to care for and temporarily house homeless people recently discharged from the hospital helps stabilize them inexpensively, preventing unnecessary and costly returns to ERs and hospitals.
HHS Proposes To Streamline Medicare Appeals Process
The changes announced Tuesday seek to eliminate the backlog by 2021.
‘Digital Health’ Not Just For Well-Heeled Fitness Fiends
A small group of advocates and entrepreneurs is using mobile phones and digital scales to make a difference in the health of poor people, too.
Viewpoints: GOP Health Plan Light On Care; Teaching Doctors; Vaccine Prices
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Views On Justices’ Decision On Abortion: ‘Major Victory’; ‘Misogyny In Action’
News outlets provided a variety of views about the Supreme Court’s ruling that struck down key provisions in a Texas abortion law.
Outlets report on health news from Illinois, Minnesota, Massachusetts, California, Maryland, Wyoming and Texas.
Calif. Governor Signs Law Limiting Medi-Cal Estate Recovery Program
Previously the state was allowed to seize a deceased person’s assets to get reimbursed for its Medi-Cal contribution to a patient’s medical care. Now, it will only be able to recover what was spent on long-term care needs. In other news, Three North Texas cab company executives have agreed to pay $1 million to resolve Medicaid fraud allegations.
Public Health Roundup: Experts Debate Cancer ‘Moonshot;’ Best Time To Induce At 39 Weeks?
News outlets also report on developments related to end-of-life care, a family hit by the same heart ailment, exercise guidelines for kids, digital tools helping seniors cope with loneliness and the fallout from lax medical research.
Prescribing Take-Home Antidote Along With Opioids Reduces ER Visits, Study Finds
Patients who legally use opioids to manage chronic pain may not realize they’re in danger of an overdose. “We’re prescribing naloxone for risky drugs, not risky patients,” said lead researcher Dr. Phillip Coffin of the San Francisco Department of Public Health. In other news, medical schools are rethinking their training on opioids, a once-a-month injection shows promise as effective treatment, USDA’s head speaks about hard-hit rural areas, and other news about the opioid epidemic.
Mining Prescription Data Helps Pharmacy Benefit Managers Identify Costs Savings
Companies like OptumRx, CVS Health and Express Scripts are using troves of data to help their clients control drug expenses. In other pharmaceutical news, AstraZeneca uses a rare children’s condition to argue that its best-selling anti-cholesterol medicine Crestor should be protected from generic competition.
Hospital Bills Spike 37% For Patients With Private Insurance: Study
Average out-of-pocket costs rise to over $1,000 per hospital stay, according to a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Home Health Care Agencies May See $180M In Medicare Cuts In 2017
CMS has proposed a 1 percent cut in reimbursements on the same day the Supreme Court passed on hearing a case challenging a federal labor rule that home health providers say is harming their businesses.
Louisiana Medicaid Expansion Offers Released Inmates A Lifeline
Without access to health care, many inmates often end up back in prison. While the Medicaid expansion offers this vulnerable population hope, many questions remain as the the July 1 expansion nears.
Poison Pills In Zika Bill Likely Too Bitter For Democratic Senators To Swallow
The Senate is expected to take a procedural vote this week on a broad veterans and military spending bill that includes $1.1 billion to combat the Zika virus. But Democrats are balking at the deal due to provisions such as a cut to Planned Parenthood grants.