Latest KFF Health News Stories
Viewpoints: Health Costs Can Be Contained By States; Tech Media Partially To Blame For Theranos Mess
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
News outlets report on health issues in Washington, New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, California, Florida, Ohio and North Carolina.
Kansas Lawmakers Pass ‘Mega-Bill’ Focused On Medical Professional Licensing
The bill ran into a late roadblock because of an anti-abortion provision added to the midwives section while the bill was in conference committee. The legislature also added protections to a bill allowing “step therapy” for Medicaid drugs.
Obama Tells Iowa Woman That Her Medicaid Concerns ‘Will Remain On My Mind’
The president’s letter was a response to the woman’s concern that Iowa’s move to privately managed Medicaid will disrupt services for her daughter. News outlets also report on the Iowa governor’s latest statements about that transition and developments in Michigan, Alaska and Florida.
Federal Medicaid Officials Extend $3.1B Texas Hospital Funding Temporarily
The money had been scheduled to end because states had the opportunity to expand Medicaid, which would provide relief to hospitals. Texas opted not to expand the program.
Study Links Poverty, Chronic Health Problems In Children
Access to health care and health literacy may play a part in the increased risk, says the study’s lead researcher Dr. Christian Pulcini. In other public health news, the FDA is focusing on young adults in the LGBT community with its latest anti-smoking campaign; after years of pain and distress one woman finds her cure for debilitating migraines; and a study touts the impact of states’ social services and public health programs.
In A City Where Health Takes A Back Seat To Getting By, One Man Wants To Turn It Around
When Dr. Abdul El-Sayed went after the job of Detroit’s health commissioner he was facing almost insurmountable odds: the department had been all but dismantled, the city was ravaged by poverty and neglect and its health problems ran deep and severe. But El-Sayed knew he wanted to try to help make a difference in his home town.
Foreign Investors See Opioid Epidemic As Pathway To Green Card
The EB-5 program allows foreigners who invest at least $500,000 in a development that creates jobs to qualify for U.S. visas, and those investors are turning keen eyes toward substance abuse and mental health facilities — a marketplace that is booming because of the crisis sweeping the country.
Jury Awards $55M In Talcum Powder Suit, While More Than 1,000 Other Cases Wait In The Wings
Women contend the company knew the risk of its product being linked to ovarian cancer.
Shkreli’s Ex-Company Sued Over Drug It Marked Up 5,000 Percent
Impax Pharmaceuticals says Turing Pharmaceuticals breached its sales contract by failing to reimburse $20 million in Medicaid rebates and provide pricing data for the drug, Daraprim.
Gilead Allowed To Submit New Evidence In Patent Case After Claiming Merck’s Lawyer Lied
The company alleges the lawyer misused what he learned on a conference call to change pending applications. In other pharmaceutical news, three newcomers have been tapped to join the Valeant board, and a study finds that drug shortages continue to plague emergency departments.
231 Hospitals With Subpar Quality Awarded Bonuses From Medicare
The hospitals were rewarded because caring for their patients during their stays and in the 30 days following their discharge cost Medicare less than what it cost at half of hospitals evaluated in the program. In other news, a jury convicts the owner of a health care company for her role in a Medicare fraud scheme.
In Scathing Report, DOJ Says South Dakota’s Long-Term Care System Fails Thousands With Disabilities
In the latest investigation into states’ care of those with disabilities and mental illnesses, the Department of Justice has signaled it may sue South Dakota. The state, it says, has forced people unnecessarily into nursing homes in violation of federal law.
Covered California’s Unique Negotiating Power Helps Slow Premium Increases
Other states and the federal marketplace accept any plan that seeks to participate, but California’s exchange negotiates prices with insurers to help consumers get better prices. Meanwhile, pregnant women with Covered California plans are being transferred from the exchange into Medi-Cal without any consent or notice.
Governor Unveils ‘Healthy Louisiana’ Name For Medicaid Expansion
Meanwhile, Gov. John Bel Edwards faces key challenges as his administration rolls out the program to expand Medicaid coverage to more low-income residents while also battling to fix the state’s budget shortfall.
Tenet Predicts Other Insurers Will Absorb UnitedHealth’s Share Of Exchange Market
The hospital operator downplayed the effect UnitedHealth’s departure from many Affordable Care Act marketplaces will have, saying insurers are expected to make adjustments.
Nonprofit Hospitals Dominate Top 10 Most Profitable Ranking
Market muscle — whether gained from size, prestige or a lack of competition — plays a key part in hospitals’ power to negotiate with insurers, the study finds.
Pregnant Women Dumped By Covered California Into Medi-Cal, Without Notice Or Consent
The problem won’t be fixed until September, though the state’s congressional delegation calls for quick action.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Shortages Of Essential Emergency Care Drugs Increase, Study Finds
The problems persist even after Congress in 2012 gave the FDA enhanced powers to respond when drug levels are low.