Latest KFF Health News Stories
Poll: Americans Rate Own Care High, But Are Less Satisfied With Health System As A Whole
Dr. Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association, says the system’s built-in processes — filling out forms, dealing with co-pays, running from one specialist to the next — are what people find difficult, even if they rate the quality of care they are receiving as high. In the same series of polls, NPR and its partners look at how states are faring two years after the health law went into effect.
Zenefits, A Health Benefits Brokerage Startup, Is Laying Off 250 Workers Following Weeks Of Turmoil
The CEO says the company, which is facing scrutiny from regulators, grew too fast.
PhRMA Top Lobbyist Faces Anger, Policy Challenges
The New York Times profiles Stephen J. Ubl, the president and CEO of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America. Also in the news, AARP releases a study regarding drug-pricing trends, STAT examines how doctors increasingly offer medication advice on social media and The Wall Street Journal reports on European pharma’s difficulties in the U.S. marketplace.
Opioid Bill’s Bipartisan Foundation Could Crack Over Dem’s Demands For Emergency Funding
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., has proposed an amendment for $600 million in emergency funding to legislation that is aimed at tackling the nation’s opioid crisis, but some are worried it could put the bill’s fate in jeopardy. In other news, health officials across the country are warning about a deadly and powerful painkiller disguised as other medications, and an event delves into the racial disparity of drug charges and overdoses.
S.D. Governor’s Plan For Medicaid Expansion Aided By New Federal Policy On Indian Health Funding
Gov. Dennis Daugaard’s proposal was not getting much traction among legislators, but it could be revived by the announcement Friday that the federal government would reimburse 100 percent for Indian Health Service patients who get care at non-IHS facilities. Also, The Associated Press looks at the Republican infighting in Arkansas over the state’s unique Medicaid expansion program.
Insurance Firms’ Losses Raise Concerns About Viability Of Health Law Marketplaces
Two big companies, UnitedHealth and Aetna, have highlighted some of the problems they are seeing in the insurance exchanges, but the head of Aetna reiterates that his company wants to stay in the market.
All Eyes On Kennedy As Both Sides Gear Up For Oral Arguments In Texas Abortion Case
Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt, which will be heard on Wednesday, concerns a Texas law that requires doctors who perform abortions to obtain admitting privileges at nearby hospitals and requiring clinics to meet the standards of ambulatory surgical centers. Supporters of the regulations say they protect women’s health, while opponents contend they are aimed at limiting abortion access.
CDC Confirms Zika In 9 Pregnant Women In United States
Federal health officials also reported that at least two pregnant Americans have opted to get an abortion after they were infected with the virus. In other outbreak news, Puerto Rico’s fight against mosquitoes is driven by the impending rainy season, Colombian researchers study other Zika-related conditions, and nonprofit clinics are becoming Texas’ first line of defense.
First Edition: February 29, 2016
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Aetna CEO Answers Burwell’s Call, Vows Support For Exchanges Amid Losses
But Mark Bertolini wants the country’s marketplaces to better serve young people, who define
healthy as “looking good in their underwear.”
Study Links Kindergartners’ Stumbles With Rocky Home Lives
Researchers say children are more likely to have trouble learning and behaving in kindergarten if they’ve had adverse childhood experiences at home before age 5.
Will Healthcare.gov Get A California Makeover?
Feds propose taking a page out of Covered California’s book and moving to a simplified health insurance marketplace.
Viewpoints: Obamacare’s Vulnerability To Fraud; GOP Health Plans On Campaign Trail And In Congress
A selection of opinions from around the country.
Research Roundup: Cutting Hospital Readmissions; Using Texts To Fight Smoking
Here is a selection of news coverage of recent health research.
News outlets report on health issues in Colorado, New York, Ohio, Illinois, Maryland, Missouri, Vermont, Connecticut, Washington, Minnesota and Puerto Rico.
Hackers Say Baltimore-Area Hospitals Riddled With Cybersecurity Flaws
The hackers’ conclusions resulted from a two-year investigation by Independent Security Evaluators. Another report examines how the current culture of health care mergers is driving up costs. News outlets also report on other hospital-related news in Connecticut, Iowa, Colorado and Maryland.
N.C. Lawmakers Investigate Insurers’ Cost-Controlling ‘Fail First’ Method
More and more companies are employing step therapy, often called “fail first,” in which the patients must try cheaper drugs before they can get the expensive ones they need. Doctors are frustrated that some of their patients are having to try drugs they know won’t work just to jump through hoops for the insurers. In other state legislature news, Iowa lawmakers meet with psychiatrists and psychologists about a change to prescription laws, and the Georgia House passes a bill allowing tax credits for donating money to rural health care.
Alabama Senate Passes Budget That Provides No New Funding For Medicaid Reform
The governor had requested an increase of about $100 million for the program, part of which would go to setting up his new regional care organizations. Lawmakers said the state didn’t have that money and they didn’t want to increase taxes.
HIV Disparity: Infection Rates Still On The Rise For Black And Latino Gay Men
While HIV rates have plunged for many groups, current rates indicate that half of black and one quarter of Latino gay or bisexual men could contract the virus HIV in their lifetimes. Meanwhile, NPR and KHN report on other public health developments related to the opioid treatment methods, Zika testing and nursing home readmissions.
VA Inspector General Failed To Properly Investigate Whistleblower Claims, Special Counsel Says
U.S. Special Counsel Carolyn Lerner wrote in a letter to the White House and Congress that the Department of Veterans Affairs limited the scope of its probe and did not address the basic concerns of a social worker at a suburban Chicago VA hospital who initially spoke out. In other VA hospital news, the agency disciplines two officials at a Cincinnati medical center, and hospitals across the country will hold a “stand down” to show commitment toward improving wait times and veterans’ care.