Latest KFF Health News Stories
In Ky., Bevin Issues Ultimatum To Feds On Medicaid Expansion
Gov. Matt Bevin tells the the federal Centers of Medicare & Medicaid Services that if his plan is not approved there will be no expansion at all. Meanwhile, in Louisiana, health officials report that more than 220,000 have enrolled in the state’s expanded low-income health insurance program.
White House: Republican Repeal-And-Replace Proposal ‘Not Worthy’ Of Consideration
White House press secretary Josh Earnest blasts the plan, saying it includes wildly unpopular and recycled ideas. Meanwhile, a former presidential campaign adviser thinks the plan might be good for at least one person: Donald Trump.
Mental Health Legislation Vote Slated For July After Years Of Delay
Among other provisions, the bill would create a new assistant secretary in the Department of Health and Human Services to oversee mental health and substance abuse programs and authorizes grants for areas such as preventing suicide and early intervention for children with mental illnesses.
‘No Bill! No Break!’: Democrats Stage Sit-In Over Gun Control
House Democrats’ frustration was sparked earlier in the week when four gun control measures failed. Those in the medical industry, including the influential New England Journal of Medicine, are becoming increasingly vocal about the issue and the role doctors and public health officials should play. Meanwhile, Australia’s efforts to cut down on mass shootings could provide a blueprint for U.S. lawmakers.
House Passes $1.1B Zika Bill That’s Likely To Fail In Senate
Democrats strongly oppose parts of the package, which include provisions regarding the Affordable Care Act, Planned Parenthood and pesticides — and they have promised to filibuster it to death in the Senate. The House immediately adjourned for recess following the vote, leaving behind any chance to resolve the funding dispute before the holiday.
Medicare Fund Could Be Depleted By 2028, Trustees Say
Under current projections, trustees said automatic cuts in the program mandated under a controversial provision of the Affordable Care Act could take effect for the first time in 2019. Meanwhile, the presidential candidates have largely avoided talking about the problem.
300 Charged In Largest Takedown Of Medicare, Medicaid Fraud In U.S. History
The nationwide sweep exposed alleged kickbacks, embezzlement and fake claims, and involved various kinds of fraud in diverse areas of health care, ranging from prescription drugs to home health care to physical therapy, the Department of Justice announced.
A Primer: How The Fight Against Zika Might Be Funded
The Senate approved an amendment to a must-pass appropriations bill that provides $1.1 billion to combat the virus’s spread. A separate House proposal, which has drawn a veto threat from the White House, is also pending and it is not clear how they might compromise. But public health advocates say efforts are needed soon to fight the mosquito-based disease.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
A pioneering program in southern California provides ongoing care and housing to homeless people who are “super-utilizers” of hospital emergency rooms. The effort is reducing ER visits and saving a lot of money.
In Alameda County, A Big Data Effort To Prevent Frequent ER Visits
Hospitals share patient records of “super-users” to save money and avoid duplicating medical treatment.
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Perspectives On Drug Costs: A Radical Idea To Cut Prices — Make Drugmakers Explain Themselves
Editorial and opinion writers offer their takes on drug-cost issues.
National Pharmacist Group Calls For Ban On Direct-To-Consumer Ads From Drugmakers
News outlets report on the pharmaceutical drug industry.
Outlets report on health news from Minnesota, Texas, Kansas, Wyoming, Texas, North Carolina, Maryland, Virginia, California, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Missouri and Illinois.
Kansas Contractor Faces $750K Fine For Medicaid Backlog Error
Media outlets also report on other Medicaid news out of Ohio, Kentucky, California, Florida, New York and Maryland.
Nevada Prisons Illegally Segregating HIV-Positive Inmates, Justice Department Says
Inmates with HIV are being denied access to work programs that could shorten their sentences, and lawyers from the U.S. Justice Department say they may sue the state under the Americans with Disabilities Act if the situation isn’t rectified.
Mass. Officials Warn Battle To Curb Opioid Epidemic Won’t Be Short Or Easy
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker and his Health and Human Services secretary laid out their plans to fight the epidemic. In other news, Louisiana has become the next state to expand access to naloxone, and a St. Louis doctor pleads guilty to a fraud charge involving prescriptions for pain pills.
HHS Rejects ‘Right Of Conscience’ Complaint From California Anti-Abortion Groups
The decision upholds a move by the California Department of Managed Care, which notified seven insurance providers in 2014 that state law does not allow them to offer coverage that limits or excludes abortions for some employers. Meanwhile, Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi’s office asks a judge to reject Planned Parenthood’s attempt to block parts of an abortion law, and Donald Trump promises to appoint anti-abortion justices to the Supreme Court.
Searching Symptoms Can Yield Scary Web Results: Google Aims To Change That
Meanwhile, news outlets cover other public health developments related to gun injuries, depression in men, the impact of modern streetlamps on sleep patterns and using breath tests to diagnose conditions.