Latest KFF Health News Stories
Viewpoints: Mixed Opinions On The GOP Repeal Vote; The Value Of A Chief Health Officer
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Research Roundup: Readmission Rates At Safety Net Hospitals; Asthma Cases; Cataract Surgery
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
News outlets report on health care developments in Ohio, Kansas, Louisiana, North Carolina, Illinois, Colorado, California and Georgia.
Partners In Proposed Tennessee Merger Pledge $450M In Community Benefit If Deal Goes Forward
Also in Tennessee, Community Health Systems announces that its spinoff of 38 small-market hospitals into a new company will take place by the end of June, rather than its initial March target date. News outlets also report hospital news from Massachusetts, Illinois, Kansas and Florida.
Calif. Gov.’s Budget Would Raise Medi-Cal Spending, Seeks Compromise On Insurer Tax
In the $122.6 billion budget proposal, Gov. Jerry Brown offers more funds for the program that provides health coverage to low-income residents, but he says an extension of the current tax on health insurers is necessary to help pay for the program.
Poultry Companies Turn Down Bird Flu Vaccine Despite High Cost Of Outbreak
Chicken producers fear vaccinations would lead to trade bans from foreign buyers. Elsewhere, news outlets report on public health developments regarding sodium intake, a campaign to combat gun violence and employee weight loss incentives.
FTC Sends Message On Patient Data Protection With $250,000 Settlement
The Federal Trade Commission has settled with Henry Schein Practice Solutions, a company that supplies products and services to dental, medical and animal health providers, over allegations that it “falsely advertised the level of encryption it provided to protect patient data.” In other technology news, business leaders and lawmakers in Massachusetts want to create a digital health care hub.
Physicians Question ‘Voluntary’ Nature Of CDC’s New Opioid Guidelines
Comments will be accepted until Jan. 13 on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, which were issued as a response to the nation’s growing problem with opioid overdoses. Meanwhile, a New Hampshire task force on heroin and opioid abuse has sent its recommendations to the state’s governor. A public hearing process is now slated to begin next month.
What’s Ahead For The Health Care Sector In 2016?
Bloomberg offers a series of charts to aid in understanding the market forces at work in the health industry in the year ahead. Meanwhile, a large shareholder sells off its stake in a giant hospital physician staffing company while a startup focused on cancer blood tests raises $100 million. Also, why insurers are enjoying this year’s mild winter.
Planned Parenthood To Back Clinton With First-Ever Primary Endorsement
“No other candidate in our nation’s history has demonstrated such a strong commitment to women or such a clear record on behalf of women’s health and rights,” Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards says. In other 2016 election news, Bernie Sanders finds America’s health care system lacking when compared to European models and outcomes.
Idaho Governor Announces State-Funded Alternative To Federal Medicaid Expansion
Gov. C. L. “Butch” Otter is proposing to fund the $30 million program by redirecting cigarette and tobacco taxes. Meanwhile, media outlets cover Medicaid expansion news in South Dakota, Arkansas, Wyoming and Arizona.
More Than 11.3M Have Enrolled On Health Exchanges, Obama Administration Announces
Although the administration has met its modest overall goal, exchanges are struggling to attract young adults. Analysts estimate that people aged 18 to 34 would have to make up about 40 percent of an exchange’s enrollment for it to be successful and hold down premiums. It’s currently at 26 percent, with the period ending Jan. 31.
LA Chapter Splitting From National Alzheimer’s Association
The local group is one of several regional affiliates breaking away because of fears about losing flexibility as the national group begins a consolidation effort to gain more efficiency in operations.
First Edition: January 8, 2016
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Health Plan Watchdog Still Seeks Progress After 25 Years
Increased comparative information on health plans is helping consumers shop, says Margaret O’Kane, president of the National Committee for Quality Assurance.
Incentive Worth $550 Fails To Motivate Obese Workers To Lose Weight
Obese employees at the University of Pennsylvania were promised an insurance premium discount valued at $550 if they lost 5 percent of their weight, but the incentive failed.
2016 Health Law Exchange Enrollment Tops 11.3M
The government’s most detailed release of figures shows insurance plan sign-ups beat the Obama administration’s goal for the year.
Viewpoints: Jeb Bush On His Family’s Addiction Crisis; Don’t Penalize Doctors For Prostate Tests
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Longer Looks: Brain Surgery; Reunited Brothers; Singing In The Hospital
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Sutter Health To Issue Bonds To Finance Construction Of 3 Replacement Hospitals
Meanwhile, three Connecticut hospitals are joining in a lawsuit challenging a 2013 Medicare payment decision, and an Indiana hospital is missing a USB drive that includes patient information.