Latest KFF Health News Stories
Opioid Treatment Demand Puts Strain On Limited Resources
As the nation fights an epidemic, a shortage of doctors and medication hamper the efforts. Meanwhile, Democrats on Capitol Hill are calling for more funding, but are running up against Republican resistance.
Debate Over Arming Guards At Hospitals Grows With Increasing Number Of Deadly Encounters
Health care professionals are divided over the issue as they weigh the safety of their institution and the possible harm that could befall patients. But for one man who was seeking treatment and ended up with a bullet in his chest, the answer is clear.
Medicare Providers Liable For Six Years Of Overpayments, CMS Final Rule States
The proposed rule would have required providers to report overpayments going back 10 years.
In The UK, GlaxoSmithKline Faces $53 Million Fine Over Generic Drug Delay
The pharmaceutical company was fined by the United Kingdom’s Competition and Markets Authority for deals to delay the launch of cheap generic copies of its blockbuster antidepressant Seroxat. The regulator considered the deals to be market abuse, and the action follows steps taken by U.S. and European antitrust regulators.
Patient First Stops Accepting Some Anthem Plans In Mid-Atlantic Care Centers
In other insurance marketplace news, Centene, a Medicaid coverage provider, stops its search for six missing hard drives that contained personal information for an estimated 950,000 customers. Meanwhile, a new analysis from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation examines hospital participation in marketplace-plan networks.
Despite Boards Stocked With D.C. Luminaries, Theranos Still Faces Consequences From Regulators
The blood testing startup’s advisory board includes, among others, former Cabinet secretaries George Shultz, Henry Kissinger and William Perry, former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist and legal star David Boies. Analysts worry its failure, even with such big names advising it, could cripple investors’ enthusiasm for innovative health care companies.
Number Of Uninsured Kids Drops Sharply In 23 States Since Health Law’s Start
No state saw an increase in uninsured children. Nearly 5 million Americans younger than 19 still lack health insurance though, according to a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation report.
Idaho Alternative To Medicaid Expansion Approved By Legislative Committee
The measure would provide some basic health services to those who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but aren’t eligible for premium subsidies under the federal health law. But it wouldn’t cover prescription drugs, hospitalization or expensive treatments. Other outlets report on Medicaid expansion efforts in Utah and Virginia.
Former Ky. Governor Launches Drive To Stop GOP’s Rollback Of Health Care Initiatives
Former Gov. Steve Beshear, a Democrat who helped implement the Affordable Care’s Medicaid expansion in the state and set up a highly successful insurance marketplace, is trying to galvanize opposition to his successor’s plans to dissolve those programs.
At Debate, Clinton Knocks Sanders’ Medicare-For-All Plan: ‘The Numbers Don’t Add Up’
The Democratic candidates sparred over universal health care at their latest debate on Thursday, with Hillary Clinton painting Bernie Sanders’ proposal as unrealistic. But Sanders defended his vision, saying “health care is a right of all people.”
First Edition: February 12, 2016
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Top Hospitals Likely Are Available On A Marketplace Plan, Study Finds
Many of the hospitals can be found in network on at least one plan, but fewer are participating in more than that, according to the analysis.
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Longer Looks: Zika; Staying Sober; McDonald’s At The Hospital
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
News outlets report on health issues in Massachusetts, Ohio, North Carolina, Missouri, Colorado, Iowa, New York, Maryland, Minnesota, Iowa, Rhode Island and Texas.
Ariz. House Panel Gives Nod To Bill To Restore Kids’ Health Insurance Program
The panel’s vote moved Arizona a step closer to joining ranks with 49 other states that publicly fund health-insurance coverage for children in low-income families. The state froze enrollment in the KidsCare program in 2010 amid state budget cuts. Meanwhile, in other state legislative news, Wisconsin’s budget committee approved additional funding for the state’s mental health institutions, California’s health plan tax continues to make progress and Georgia’s dental hygienist bill is still on hold.
Dementia On The Decline, Longterm Study Finds
Rates of dementia dropped 44 percent over the past 40 years, according to a Framingham Heart Study that studied 5,200 people whose memories have been tested since 1975. But the decline in Alzheimer’s cases was “not significant” and researchers find that risks vary between ethnic groups.
Sherrod Brown Offers Bill To Advance Comprehensive View Of Drug Addiction
A key point in the measure is that addiction should be treated as a disease not a character flaw.
Bill Defunding Planned Parenthood In Ohio Sent To Kasich
The governor and presidential candidate is expected to sign the legislation, which effectively cuts $1.3 million annually used by Planned Parenthood clinics for HIV testing, pre-natal care and other services. Meanwhile, media outlets offer coverage of Planned Parenthood and abortion news in Louisiana, Texas, Colorado and other states.
Burwell Says Administration Is Pursuing ‘Every Option’ To Address High Prescription Drug Costs
In other news, drug maker Mylan reaches $7.2 billion deal to buy the Swedish company, Meda, which has a portfolio of specialty generic and over-the-counter products. With the purchase, Mylan will gain access to new markets.