Latest KFF Health News Stories
Burned Out And Underpaid: Addiction Counselors Fleeing The Industry
The labor shortage is nothing new, but as demand across the country rises due to the opioid crisis and more patients getting health insurance, the industry is struggling. In other news, the Kansas Senate approves a bill creating a new type of addiction counselor, and Hawaii’s lawmakers want to make it easier to access drugs to fight overdoses.
Iowa’s Medicaid Privatization Plan Gets Feds’ OK — But Delayed Until April 1
Gov. Terry Branstad originally planned to shift to private management of the state-federal low-income health insurance program starting Jan. 1.
As Hospital Landscape Changes, Worries Over Patients’ Access To Care Reemerge
A Connecticut lawmaker says the time is ripe to look at regulations surrounding hospitals so that patients don’t suffer. Meanwhile, in Florida, Adventist Health System will pay $2 million to settle allegations it used leftover chemotherapy drugs, a judge rules on a certificate of need dispute between a nursing home and the state Agency for Health Care Administration, and legislators are looking to permanently alter a law that gave a special status to a group home with a history of abuse.
In Calif., Gov. Brown, Legislative Leaders Finalize Health Plan Tax Deal
The proposal’s backers say they have enough GOP support to gain approval in the Senate and Assembly. The vote is scheduled for Thursday. Meanwhile, state legislatures are active across the nation, with news outlets reporting developments in Utah, Idaho, Michigan, West Virginia, Kansas and Florida.
Clinton’s Public Option Talk Draws Dismay From Some Health Industry Groups
Modern Healthcare explores the issues involved. Meanwhile, Donald Trump claims another GOP victory.
Johnson & Johnson Ordered To Pay $72M In Case Linking Baby Powder To Ovarian Cancer
It’s the first time a jury has ordered the company to pay damages over claims that it knew decades ago that its talc-based products could cause cancer and failed to warn its customers.
‘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.