Latest KFF Health News Stories
After Being Wounded In War, Veterans Face Daunting IVF Costs Not Covered By VA
The Defense Department covers the treatment while soliders are on active military status, but the Department of Veterans Affairs does not. In other news, the VA’s Office of Inspector General has released 11 reports outlining problems at hospitals and clinics in Florida.
Wasted Cancer Medicines Cost Medicare, Insurers $3 Billion Each Year: Study
Cancer researchers say that typical drug vials hold too much medication for most patients and that the rest is thrown away. In other pharmaceutical news, The Wall Street Journal reports on how supplements can interfere with prescription drugs while Bloomberg profiles a Gilead executive tackling the high cost of its hepatitis C treatment.
Another SEC Investigation Of Valeant Underway
The pharmaceutical company’s former ties to drug distributor Philidor Rx Services are being probed by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Meanwhile, CEO Mike Pearson returns after a two-month medical leave to an uncertain future for the firm.
Camera Capsules Let Doctors Catch Glimpse Of Hard To Reach Small Intestine
The area is hard to navigate using just a scope. In other health IT news, hospitals are using robots to drop off food, pick up trash and other tasks that help save money.
Digital Health Record Initiative Aims To Unclog Bottleneck, But Doubts Remain
Federal health official announced that technology companies, hospital systems and doctors’ groups have agreed to take steps that will make electronic health records easier to use including improving patient access to their own files, stop blocking health information sharing and put standards for digital communication between systems in place. But some worry the deal allows companies too much wiggle room.
Following S.C. Win, Clinton Pivots To General Election Ahead Of Super Tuesday
The frontrunner for the Democratic nomination has turned her attention to the Republican field, homing in on their plan to end the health law. “They never tell you what they’ll put it in its place because you won’t like it,” Hillary Clinton says.
‘Greyhound’ Vs. ‘Trailblazer’: Meet The Lawyers On The Texas Abortion Case
The young lawyers will face off on Wednesday in front of the Supreme Court. News outlets offer further coverage of Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt, a case centering on a Texas law that requires abortion clinics to meet all standards for an “ambulatory surgical center” and for physicians performing the procedure to have admitting privileges to a hospital within 30 miles.
S.D. Governor Moves His Medicaid Expansion Plan Off Agenda For This Legislative Session
Republican Gov. Dennis Daugaard says there isn’t enough time left for lawmakers to adequately consider his plan, but he hints the issue could come up in a special session or in 2017. In Utah, a House committee approves a bill that would extend Medicaid coverage to the chronically homeless, mentally ill and those recently released from prison.
Administration Retreats On Rules For Insurers’ Networks, Standardized Options For 2017
Modern Healthcare reports on the final rule out Monday that backs down from earlier efforts by the administration to force insurers to have minimum quantitative standards for networks of hospitals and doctors and to offer standardized options for health plans. News outlets also look at health law issues in Texas, Wisconsin and Minnesota.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
EHRs In The ER: As Doctors Adapt, Concerns Emerge About Medical Errors
As hospitals adopt electronic health record systems, some emergency rooms are experiencing new patterns of medical errors.
R2D2’s Next Assignment: Hospital Orderly
A gleaming new hospital in San Francisco has a fleet of robots dropping off meals, picking up trash and saving some money in a very 21st century way.
A selection of opinions from around the country.
News outlets report on health issues in Florida, California, Washington, Colorado, Wisconsin, Ohio, New Hampshire, Nebraska, West Virginia and Connecticut.
Conn. Governor Puts Hold On Hospital Mergers, Acquisitions Until Next Year
News outlets report on other hospital-related news in Florida, Minnesota and Washington.
Ohio Planned Parenthood Supporters Feel Like They’ve Been ‘Put On Mute’
Gov. John Kasich recently signed a bill prohibiting taxpayer dollars to go to agencies that promote or perform abortions, and those speaking out against the legislation say no one will listen to them. Meanwhile, in Kansas, women struggle to find preventive care after state shutters Planned Parenthood clinics.
N.C. Officials Expected Tuesday To Unveil Plan To Revamp Medicaid
The proposal, which has been under discussion for five months, is an effort to save money and make operations more efficient. At the same time, the Georgia House has moved to raise pay for doctors who accept Medicaid patients.
Retirement Communities Try To Serve Growing Demand To ‘Age In Place’
The New York Times profiles the trend toward “everything-in-one” facilities that offer both independent and assisted-living options. And USA Today reports on how the swelling ranks of adults with Alzheimer’s and dementia pose new challenges for everyone from caregivers and police to store clerks and restaurant servers.
Health Organizations To Dedicate More Resources To Cybersecurity: Poll
A Modern Healthcare survey of industry executives finds that 93 percent say the threat of security breaches will have some impact on their health IT spending this year. Meanwhile, in an example of such a cyberattack, “ransomware” hackers target Los Angeles County Department of Health Services’ computers.
Administration Concerns Mount After Court Rules On Federal Agency Vacancies
The United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit said in August that the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998 “prohibits a person from being both the acting officer and the permanent nominee.” The ruling appears to affect at least two top health care officials.