Latest KFF Health News Stories
Mental Health Bill Introduced After Newtown Shooting Advances Through House Panel
Meanwhile, Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., filibustered for nearly 15 hours to bring attention to gun control amendments.
As Premium Spikes Loom, White House To Dole Out $22M For States To Keep Insurers In Check
The grants may inflame an already tense relationship with insurers, who say they’ve had a tough year on the Obamacare marketplace. Meanwhile, the long-awaited Republican plan to replace the health law will lack concrete financial details, aides and lobbyists say.
Report From Key Calif. Agency Raises Concerns About Proposal To Cut Drug Prices
Staff researchers at California’s largest public buyer of health benefits say the goal of reducing drug costs for the state is appealing but might not work in the real world.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Feds Urge State Medicaid Programs To Encourage Long-Acting Contraceptives
Medicaid spends billions on unintended pregnancies, and federal officials say better use of long-acting contraceptives, such as IUDs, offer advantages for women and are cost-effective.
Advisory Panel Targets Rising Medicare Drug Costs In Its Latest Report To Congress
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission outlined a package of changes to Medicare’s drug program that could save billions of dollars.
Viewpoints: Work, The Safety Net And Obamacare; Hospitals And Disaster Preparations
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Perspectives On Drug Costs: A Way To Bribe The Doctor Without Bribing The Doctor
Editorial and opinion writers offer their takes on drug-cost issues.
Coupon Wars: Assistance Strategy Or Industry Racket?
News outlets report on the pharmaceutical drug industry.
Mylan’s Drug Prices Spike By As Much As 542 Percent
Wells Fargo analyst David Maris notes that the increases are “beacons for scrutiny.”
Outlets report on health news from Georgia, Wisconsin, Ohio, Missouri, Pennsylvania and California.
FDA Cites ‘Serious Violations’ Of Sanitary Conditions At Whole Foods Kitchen
Their food “may have been contaminated with filth,” says the agency in a letter sent to the company.
FDA Approves Obesity-Fighting Device That Drains Food From Stomach
The system hooks up to a thin tube implanted in the stomach. The device then rids the body of about 30 percent of the consumed food before it can be fully digested. In other FDA news, the agency will allow folic acid to be added to corn masa flour, an effort to reduce birth defects in the Latino community.
California Abortion Law Violates Free Speech Rights, Lawyers For Pregnancy Clinics Say
The centers are required to provide information about all services available to pregnant women, including abortion. Their lawyers argue that the state is forcing them to “speak the government’s message,” while California officials say it’s just asking them to provide neutral, factual information.
Kan. Drops Plans To Cut Funds For Doctor, Nurses Working With Planned Parenthood
Kansas officials, who are trying to end Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood operations, originally also sought to disqualify 11 people — including a doctor and about 10 nurses and nurse midwives — to keep the organizations “from evading the effect of their terminations by having providers at their facilities use their individual (Medicaid) numbers.” U.S. District Judge Julie Robinson is expected to rule on the funding cutoff itself before July 7.
Research Fragmented On Patient Safety Risks From Health Technology, Regulators Say
News outlets also report on other health IT developments including the impact of startups on the industry, more layoffs at Zenefits and hospital “alert fatigue.”
Experts Caution About Big Brother Vibes As Facebook Rolls Out Suicide-Prevention Tools
A menu will let friends report posts that hint at possible self-harm or suicide.
VA Agent Orange Debate Reveals Dueling Considerations Of Liability, Responsibility And Science
A group of scientists within the Department of Veterans Affairs warned the agency that agreeing to pay cash benefits to airmen who say they were exposed to Agent Orange could set a dangerous financial precedent. But that’s not supposed to matter.
After Initial Slow Response, Hospitals Are Beginning To Cut Down On Medical Errors: Study
Between 2010 and 2014, there were tens of thousands of fewer accidental deaths, which saved billions of dollars in related costs, it claims.
Federal Judge In Chicago Refuses FTC Request To Block Health System Merger
District Judge Jorge L. Alonso denied the government’s efforts to get a preliminary injunction to stop the merger of two Illinois health systems. The judge has not yet release his order, but some analysts suggest this could be a significant setback for authorities trying to protect consumers from the possibility of high-cost care.