Latest KFF Health News Stories
Outlets report on health news from Colorado, Arizona, Texas, California, Florida, Minnesota, Maryland and Washington.
Brownback To Seek New Hospital Taxes To Fund Higher Medicaid Payments In Kansas
The state cut payments to doctors and hospitals in May as part of a budget fight, but Gov. Sam Brownback now says he will work to raise reimbursements again. Outlets also report on other Medicaid developments in Kansas.
Study: Lack Of Diversity In Genetic Research May Lead To Minorities Being Misdiagnosed
The study focused on a heart disorder that was originally thought to be more common in African-Americans. But earlier research linking genetic traits to illness did not include enough minorities to draw the proper conclusions about how the genetic mutations are linked to the disease in that population.
Childhood Abuse Linked To Early Death — But Only In Women
The connection is not definitive, but it could suggest women who have been abused may use drugs or engage in other unhealthy behaviors as coping methods. In other public health news, IBM targets E. coli outbreaks, a party drug may be effective in treating depression, a brain-eating amoeba strikes again in Florida, and more.
Doctors, Scientists Rush To Adapt Diagnostic Tools And Treatment Plans For Zika Cases
In other news about the virus outbreak, Florida delays tests of genetically modified mosquitoes while Texas state health officials try to make up ground in preparations for Zika spreading to the state.
‘Medical Tourism’ On The Rise: 1.4M Expected To Travel Outside U.S. For Health Care
Despite the risks, more Americans are expected to go abroad this year for medical procedures to save money while visiting another country. And a few employers and insurers encourage the practice.
Calif. Lawmaker Yanks Drug Transparency Bill, Says It Was Watered Down By Amendments
All eyes have now turned to November’s ballot initiative on the same issue.
Judge Clears Way For Cheaper Version Of J&J’s Blockbuster Arthritis Drug
The pharmaceutical company will appeal the decision to invalidate its patent on its rheumatoid arthritis medication, Remicade, but Pfizer plans to launch its competing version in the next few months.
White House To Pump $17M Into Efforts To Fight Opioid Crisis
The money will go toward policing drug trafficking and training providers on safe prescription practices, as well as how to distribute and use naloxone. In other news, an West Virginia outbreak of heroin overdoses highlights how bad the epidemic is, scientists are optimistic they’ve found a pain reliever that doesn’t have the negative side effects of opioids and other stories come from the states.
Nonprofit Groups Object To Ky. Plan To Require Service By Medicaid Enrollees
The proposal is part of Gov. Matt Bevin’s plan to revamp the Medicaid expansion started by his predecessor, but the groups say they don’t have the resources to handle the influx of thousands of new volunteers. Meanwhile, advocates continue to press for expansion in Florida and Tennessee.
ACA Helps Reduce Out-Of-Pocket Spending On Prescription Drugs, Study Finds
Prescriptions are up, but patients are paying less for their drugs. The study’s author says it is “strong evidence that the Affordable Care Act has increased treatment rates.”
The 13 Percent: A Look At Who Is Still Uninsured 6 Years Into Health Law
Millenials, Hispanics and men are among the groups with the highest uninsurance rates. Meanwhile, a new survey shows that 72 percent of Californians who did not have insurance in 2013 now have coverage.
Clinton Faces Pressure From Both Parties During Fallout Over Aetna Exit
Democrats renew calls for a public option, while Republicans are using the withdrawal as the latest example of why the law needs to be completely scrapped.
Latest Setback Highlights ACA’s Intrinsic Problem: It Incentivizes Insurers To Misprice Risk
Aetna’s decision to leave all but a handful of states is just the latest move that highlights an issue with the economic stability of the law. By circumscribing insurers’ ability to underwrite risks, the Affordable Care Act distorts how insurance is priced. Meanwhile, the administration prepares for a new push to get people enrolled, but many say it’s too little, too late.
Aetna Warned DOJ: Block Humana Merger And We’ll Pull Out Of ACA Markets
A letter from Aetna’s CEO reveals a clear threat to the Department of Justice that if it challenged Aetna’s proposed merger with Humana it would need to take immediate action to “to mitigate public exchange and ACA small group losses.”
Survey: Millions More Californians Insured After Obamacare Launch, Medicaid Expansion
But the remaining uninsured are tough to reach.
First Edition: August 18, 2016
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Obamacare Marketplace Shakeout Rocks Arizona, Southeast
Fewer choices in 2017 health care plans await consumers in dozens of markets where Aetna, UnitedHealthcare and Humana are pulling out, but withdrawals may hit Arizona, the Carolinas, Georgia and parts of Florida hardest.
California Lawmaker Pulls Plug On Drug Price Transparency Bill
The legislation would have required drug companies to notify the state and insurers about expensive new treatments or price hikes.
Genetic Insights About Health Risks Limited By Lack Of Diversity, Study Finds
A study in the New England Journal of Medicine detailed how the diagnoses of risk for a common hereditary heart disease may have been skewed because studies have traditionally had low numbers of black participants.