Latest KFF Health News Stories
Unexpected Health Costs Add To Challenge Of Recovering From Medical Care
The Associated Press reports that nearly a third of insured Americans who have financial problems tied to medical bills faced charges that their insurance would not cover. In other news, The Wall Street Journal reports on a counter-intuitive finding that, in retirement, the healthier a person is, they more they will spend on health care.
Insurers, Hit Hard By ACA Loses, Eye 2016 Profits As Pivotal To Staying In The Exchanges
Humana is the latest to say it has experienced loses from plans under the health law. “If 2016 is like 2015, we’ll have a real problem, because carriers could just start pulling out,” said one analyst.
Kansas House Rejects Debate On Medicaid Expansion
In a procedural move, the Kansas House denied efforts by expansion supporters to add the program during a debate on the budget. News outlets also report on Medicaid expansion debates in New Hampshire and Nebraska.
New Ky. Governor’s Efforts On Health Care Galvanizing ACA Supporters And Opponents
Gov. Matt Bevin has become a hero to conservative Republicans opposed to the federal health law, while Obamacare supporters are concerned that his actions could hurt the 2 million people who have gained coverage in the state. In other news, a look at how the health law is affecting farm contractors, and Maryland reports its enrollment numbers.
Lawmakers Question CDC Head Over Abortion Funding In $1.8 Billion Zika Request
At a House subcommittee hearing, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Tom Frieden told concerned members that the request does not allocate spending for abortions, a perception public health advocates worry will derail funding. In other Zika news, a Catholic group makes a plea to the pope to allow women to use contraception, WHO offers advice to women, and European researchers discover a clue that may help unlock the mysteries surrounding the virus’ effects.
Study Raises Concerns About Doctor-Assisted Suicide For People With Mental Disorders
Research in the Netherlands, where assisted suicides for people with severe psychiatric problems is allowed, found that depression and loneliness were cited by patients as reasons they wanted to die. And NPR reports on another public health study the looks into the impact of gender imbalance in animal testing.
First Edition: February 11, 2016
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Farm Contractors Balk At Obamacare Requirements
The federal health law is putting farmers in a tough spot. Many contractors supplying workers have to offer health coverage. Insurance is costly, and contractors worry about immigration fallout.
Viewpoints: Reactions To The 2017 Obama Budget Proposal; The Sanders’ Take On Government Programs
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
News outlets report on health issues in Ohio, Florida, Arizona, Connecticut, Kansas, Minnesota, Michigan and Illinois.
Flint Investigator: Involuntary Manslaughter Charges Could Be On The Table
The Legionnaires’ disease outbreak that occurred after Flint, Michigan changed its water source resulted in nine deaths in 2014 and 2015. Meanwhile, Gov. Rick Snyder is expected to request $195 million to help bring residents safe drinking water.
Federal Officials Approve Alabama’s Plan To Revamp Medicaid Program
The state is seeking to set up regional managed care systems to handle the health care program for low-income residents. New outlets also report on Medicaid news in Minnesota, Washington and North Carolina.
Johns Hopkins Is First Hospital Approved For HIV-Positive To HIV-Positive Organ Transplants
It’s estimated that such procedures could benefit 600 recipients and shorten the transplant lists for both HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients. In other public health news, some pharmacists are becoming de facto drugs cops in the face of the opioid epidemic.
Texas Abortion Clinics Launch State-Wide Campaign To Stay Open
Meanwhile, more than 3,000 crisis pregnancy centers around the country are operated by religious opponents of abortion and are waging a legal fight to continue their mission to persuade women to choose parenting or adoption.
Study Finds VA Hospitals Providing ‘High-Quality Care’
Researchers looked at death and readmission rates and found the ones at Veteran’s Affairs hospitals were similar to those of other facilities. In other news, the House passes legislation aimed at improving mental health and suicide prevention services for female veterans and a bill to increase oversight over VA construction projects following a funding debacle at a Colorado hospital.
New Digital Ventures Let Consumers Comparison Shop To Find Lowest Drug Prices
GoodRx and Blink Health want to utilize technology to let patients find the cheapest generic options available. In other health IT news, The Washington Post examines how the problems at Zenefits reflect the larger disconnect when Silicon Valley startups try to revolutionize the health care industry, and a former Google executive is tapped to lead a cancer diagnostics firm.
Medicare Is Considering New Method To Pay For Drugs Administered By Doctors
Federal officials may set up a pilot program that would test how limiting reimbursement affects doctors’ choice of drugs. Also in Medicare news, a federal court revives a hospital industry’s lawsuit over the long wait for appeals on payment disputes, and the government details how changes in Medicare prescription drug policy has saved money for seniors.
FDA Panel Recommendation On Arthritis Drug Knockoff Could Clear Way For More Biosimilars
The non-binding approval of the lower-cost version of Johnson & Johnson’s drug Remicade could signal the Food and Drug Administration will use looser criteria for marketing approval than some people expected, analysts say. In other FDA news, the agency cracks down on a Florida stem cell clinic.
Cigna, Novartis Reach Pay-For-Performance Deal For Heart Drug
The agreement between the U.S. insurer and Swiss drug maker is one of the few such performance-based arrangements that have been made public. Also in the news, Sanofi’s call on a new inhalable insulin approach misses the mark and Regeneron’s results continue to create expectations.
Centene Profits Continue To Grow; Blue Shield Of California Is Top Pick On State Exchange
Also, CBS News details how health savings accounts work.