Latest KFF Health News Stories
Missouri Is First State To Rebuke Proposed Aetna-Humana Merger Over Antitrust Concerns
The insurers have 30 days to “submit a plan to remedy the anti-competitive impact of the acquisition,” according to the Missouri Department of Insurance’s preliminary order, or stop selling certain plans in the state.
W. Va. Medicaid Expansion Advocates Worry About Future Costs
Under the federal health law, West Virginia and the other states that expanded their Medicaid programs will begin to pick up some of the costs next year, adding to already burdened state budgets.
IRS Officials Reportedly Raised Questions About Health Law Payments At Center Of Court Battle
The cost-sharing subsidies for low-income people buying coverage on the online insurance marketplaces are at the heart of a lawsuit filed by Republican members of the House, who say they were never approved by Congress. Also in the news, House Republicans find fault in how Oregon set up its enrollment website.
Insurers Seeking Rate Hikes Of 20 Percent Or More For 2017
The proposed increases are an indicator of how the big health plans are adapting to the Affordable Care Act’s transformation of the way health coverage is priced and sold in the U.S.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Missouri Hospitals Seek To Focus Readmission Penalties On Patient Poverty
The Missouri Hospital Association objects to the formula for setting the federal penalties because it does not factor in the number of patients who are poor or in bad health. It is seeking to generate consumer interest in the penalties.
Inventing A Machine That Spits Out Drugs In A Whole New Way
A refrigerator-sized machine could someday make lifesaving drugs on site when outbreaks occur or where medicine is in short supply, like on the battlefield.
Viewpoints: A Critical View Of Obamacare; The Hard Facts Of The Aetna-Humana Merger
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Perspectives On Drug Costs: Increased Prices Jeopardize Shift To Fee-For-Value System
Editorial and opinion writers offer their take on drug-cost issues.
Big Pharma Reaps Rewards As Mainstream Medicine Embraces New, Expanded Conditions
News outlets report on the pharmaceutical drug industry.
Concordia Healthcare bought a drug to treat irritable bowel syndrome when a prescription for the medication cost about $87. Now it sells at $782.
Outlets report on health news from Vermont, California, North Carolina, New Hampshire, Florida, Detroit, Wisconsin, Delaware, Iowa, Pennsylvania and Ohio.
Washington, California Sue J&J In Latest Legal Action Against Vaginal Mesh Implants
The plastic mesh is used to treat pelvic organ prolapse. In response to thousands of injuries from the mesh, the Food and Drug Administration early this year re-labeled the products high risk instead of moderate and announced new federal scrutiny for them.
Kansas Medicaid Proposal To Designate Preferred Providers Brings Complaints
A proposal by state officials to let the private insurance companies that manage the Medicaid program designate preferred providers and pay them more was questioned by consumers and providers at a public hearing. Also, the recent decision on Medicaid services by Arizona’s high court did not resolve a key issue.
More Men With Early Prostate Cancer Choosing ‘Active Surveillance’ Over Surgery, Radiation
In other news, Vice President Joe Biden will host a national cancer research summit in June.
Scientist Ira Pastor believes brain death is a potentially curable condition, given the right combination of stem cells, drugs, electrical currents, magnetic fields or other stimuli. But his quest to explore the idea is being greeted with skepticism, confusion and worries of a zombie apocalypse.
Health Groups Recommend Obesity Surgery As Treatment For Diabetes
Studies have long shown that most obese diabetics who undergo bariatric surgery see their blood sugar control dramatically improve.
The implant dispenses the drug buprenorphine for six months at a time. Benefits of the treatment could include cutting down on both relapses and the drug being sold illegally on the street.
Restrictive laws in the state forced many clinics to close, leaving fewer than 20 to serve 5.4 million women of reproductive age. Experts calculate that as many as 240,000 have chosen to self-induce abortions since then, and warn that if the Supreme Court upholds the restrictions that number will only escalate.
VA Chief ‘Deeply Regrets’ Comments Comparing Clinic Wait Times To Disneyland Lines
Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald’s apology comes after critics blasted him about the “preposterous statement.” Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., called on him to step down.