Latest KFF Health News Stories
‘It Feels Like A Sucker Punch’: Hospitals On The Hook When Patients Can’t Pay
When patients aren’t covered by insurance, or have high deductibles, hospitals are struggling to collect those bills, putting pressure on the entire industry. In other news, WellCare shares jumped after the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced proposed Medicare payment changes, Genesis Healthcare’s chief executive says the company is in good shape despite some short-term turbulence, and Bayer names its new CEO.
Senators Focus On Opioid Addiction And Treatment Issues
Various proposals are being floated, including measures to address doctor shopping as well as protections for opioid-dependent parents who seek treatment, that could ultimately be folded into a comprehensive effort. Meanwhile, The Huffington Post reports on the White House’s interest in tackling the epidemic.
GOP Leaders Say No To Hearings, Vote On An Obama Pick For The Supreme Court
Senate Republicans say they are united behind this position. Meanwhile, in an interview with RealClearHealth, former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle offers his thoughts on the polarized climate on Capitol Hill that gives rise to such lines in the sand and the current legal battle between Republicans in the House of Representatives and the Obama administration over the health law. In other news, The New York Times examines how the Texas abortion case, which is currently on the high court’s docket, could have implications across state lines.
In Utah, State Senate Panel OKs Democratic Medicaid Expansion Bill
Meanwhile, supporters of expansion plans in Maine have relaunched their efforts. And Wyoming lawmakers are debating a bill that would block the state from expanding Medicaid for two years while a study is conducted.
GAO: Healthcare.gov ‘Passive’ In Identifying Potential Fraud
Although the Government Accountability Office did not allege widespread cheating, investigators noted that the administration had struggled with questions of eligibility. Meanwhile, New York’s health exchange reports that the number of people who are uninsured in the state has dropped by 850,000 since 2013.
Two More U.S. Cases Of Zika Likely Transmitted Via Sex
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials are investigating another 14 similar cases. Meanwhile, two Texas hospitals have developed a rapid test for the virus.
First Edition: February 24, 2015
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
For Fertility Treatment, Wounded Veterans Have To Pay The Bill
U.S. military health care covers the high cost of in vitro fertilization, but the Veterans Affairs health system doesn’t. The discrepancy is putting vets with combat injuries in a bind.
Latino Youth In California See Significant Rise In Psychiatric Hospitalizations
Some experts say the 86 percent increase in psychiatric hospitalizations since 2007 means preventive care is seriously lacking; others believe reduced stigma has led more kids to accept help.
Viewpoints: Beating Sepsis; Gaps In Life Expectancy; Using Big Data
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
News outlets report on health issues in New York, California, New Mexico, Arizona, Puerto Rico and Minnesota.
California’s Health Plan Tax Moves Closer To Gaining Legislature’s OK
The legislation would expand a tax on health care plans while spending hundreds of millions of dollars on services for the developmentally disabled. In other state legislative news, Georgia lawmakers advance bills to support the state’s struggling rural hospitals and to prevent companies’ health plans from limiting cancer drug coverage. News outlets also report on developments from Wyoming, Utah, Idaho and Missouri.
Governors Press Federal Officials For More Money, Action To Combat Opioid Abuse
The nation’s governors are meeting in Washington, D.C., this week and are pointing to the epidemic of opioid abuse and heroin addiction as straining their state resources. News organizations also report on local efforts to combat drug abuse in Maryland, New York and California.
Zika Outbreak Shines Light On Public Health Vulnerabilities
With diminished public health funding following budget cuts, state and local officials across the country say they would be hard pressed to handle outbreaks such as Zika. Meanwhile, President Barack Obama asked Congress for $1.9 billion in emergency spending to combat the virus.
Next Week Marks Key Supreme Court Test For Argument Advanced By Abortion Foes
In what will be its first abortion-related case in nearly 10 years, justices will consider a challenge to a central aspect of the anti-abortion cause.
CMS Proposal Would Cut Payments To Medicare Advantage Plans Sponsored By Employers
The proposal would change the bidding process for plans sponsored by employers and unions for retirees. Meanwhile, The Associated Press examines how the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ favorable assessment of factors affecting rates is playing out with other Medicare Advantage plans. In other marketplace news, a group calls for the creation of long-term care insurance plans similar to Medicare, CVS health says it toned down its prescription drug spending, and the new leader at Zenefits tries to rein in the rambunctious culture at the startup.
For Clinton And Sanders, Health Care Policies Are Emerging As ‘Wedge’ Issue
For Democrats, health care policies — including buzz words such as “universal coverage” or the “public option” — are proving to be a divisive issue this election season. Meanwhile, former Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius endorses Hillary Clinton.
Senate Clears Path To Confirm FDA Nominee
Some Democrats had held up the nomination of Dr. Robert Califf to head the Food and Drug Administration in an effort to push the FDA to take a harder line on prescription drug prices and the abuse of opioid painkillers.
Wyoming Senate OKs Medicaid Expansion Alternative
In addition, a coalition of police agencies and health care providers in Maine is again pushing to expand the health insurance program for low-income people. This time, they are linking their plan to efforts to combat the heroin crisis.
As First Blush Of Health Law Fades, Hospitals’ Profits Drop Back To Modest
Hospitals at first were seeing more new patients because of the Affordable Care Act, but now, with debt from large mergers climbing and the rise of high-deductible plans, some think hospitals have been “left holding the bag.” But one health system in Wisconsin credits the health law for an increase in its profits.