Latest KFF Health News Stories
Decision On Kansas Ban Of Second-Trimester Abortion Method Expected Friday
The 2015 law prohibits doctors from a common practice of using forceps or similar instruments on a live fetus to remove it from the womb in pieces. Two abortion providers filed a lawsuit against the ban, which was the first in the nation. In other news, a new app looks to cut the doctor’s office out of birth control access.
Drug Makers’ Funding To Patient Groups Has Stifled Crucial Voice In Cost Debate, Critics Say
But one reason for the lack of interest in the topic could be that the organizations are focused on developing drugs to cure diseases. Meanwhile, Johnson & Johnson is halting trials of drugs in the same class as the one that left a patient brain dead and five others hospitalized in France.
Aetna-Humana Deal Could Cause Medicare Advantage Costs To Increase: Report
The Center for American Progress found the proposed purchase of Humana by Aetna could lead to increased premium costs for seniors with these private Medicare plans. Meanwhile, California’s four largest health plans may owe the state an estimated $10 billion in back taxes — depending on the outcome of a pending legal case.
Clinton On Sanders’ Single-Payer Plan: ‘In Theory’ Isn’t Enough
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton continues her barrage against opponent Sen. Bernie Sanders’ health plan, calling it unrealistic. “In theory there’s a lot to like,” she said in Iowa. “But ‘in theory’ isn’t enough. A president has to deliver in reality.” Meanwhile, KHN explains what exactly the contentious single-payer system is, and The Associated Press looks at what’s in Sanders’ proposal.
Kansas Medicaid Expansion Advocates Call Waiting List Argument An Evasion Tactic
In other state Medicaid news, a top Louisiana health official says she is “optimistic” that the Obama administration may OK the state’s plan for expanding the health program to another 400,000 low-income or disabled residents. Meanwhile, a new survey finds that 49 states now take Medicaid applications by phone and online.
HHS: Average Costs Of Health Exchange Premiums Rose, But Most Enrollees Pay Far Less
The Department of Health and Human Services reports that premiums for Obamacare plans increased to $408 per month, about 9 percent more than last year. The vast majority of people with this coverage, though, pay far less because they receive subsidies. Meanwhile, a federal proposal would create standardized marketplace plans and consumers could see their out-of-pocket costs drop.
VA Secretary: Agency Providing Better Care Than Ever
During a congressional hearing on Thursday, Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald rebuffed charges that he had not fired enough employees for the scandal over veterans’ health care and outlined his plan for the VA “to become the No. 1 customer-service agency in the government.” In other Capitol Hill news, a Senate report finds that hospitals did not properly report outbreaks associated to dirty scopes.
If He Shows, Shkreli Plans To Invoke Fifth Amendment
The Oversight and Government Reform Committee subpoenaed former Turing CEO Martin Shkreli, who became the face of the high drug costs controversy, to testify on the spiked prices.
GOP Senators: Obama Administration Missed Warning Signs On Co-Ops
At a Senate Finance Committee hearing on Thursday, lawmakers grilled acting CMS Administrator Andy Slavitt over the failed nonprofit health insurers. Slavitt promised the committee that the government is taking steps to help the co-ops, which were created to compete with larger private insurers. Twelve of the 23 set up under the law have gone out of business.
First Edition: January 22, 2016
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
New Federal Standards For Marketplace Plans May Reduce Out-Of-Pocket Spending
Officials have proposed establishing six options for the exchange plans that would set standard deductibles and maximum out-of-pocket spending limits, among other things.
Democratic Candidates Debate ‘Single-Payer,’ But What Does That Mean?
The phrase often used for government-run health care means different things to different people. Here are five points to help explain the Democrats’ policy clash.
Consumer And Research Groups Release Cancer Guides For Patients
Families USA and the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review are collaborating on a series of patient guides on treatment and screenings.
States Simplify Medicaid Sign-Ups
Forty-nine states now take Medicaid applications by phone and 49 also accept online applications, reports the Kaiser Family Foundation.
Viewpoints: Sanders’ Health Plan Draws Concerns; Gov.’s ‘Bizarre Attack’ On Ky. Reform
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Longer Looks: Zika Virus, Privatized Medicaid, When Home Birth Goes Wrong
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
State Highlights: New Hurdle For Idaho Medicaid Proposal; Mass. Panel Weighs Price Issues
News outlets report on health care developments in Idaho, Ohio, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Florida, California, Washington, Montana and Alabama.
Massachusetts, Feds Launch Task Force To Address Opioid Crisis
The announcement came after the state’s health department released overdose numbers, which showed a 65 percent increase in deaths from 2012 to 2014. Meanwhile, in Tennessee, physicians paint a dire picture of prescription drug abuse to legislators who are concerned about “over-correction.”
Ahead Of ‘March For Life,’ Disputes Call Attention To Racial Demographics Of Abortion
In a series of recent incidents, lawmakers in both the national and state legislatures are clashing with activists over race and abortion. Elsewhere, the Wisconsin Senate cuts Planned Parenthood funding, some abortion clinics in Florida say they would have to close under a bill moving through the legislature, and a new measure in the Iowa Senate aims to improve access to contraception.
Questions Snag Muscular Dystrophy Drug’s FDA Progress
In addition, the Food and Drug Administration has delayed a decision about whether to add folic acid to corn masa.