Latest KFF Health News Stories
News outlets also report on a range of issues related to the health law’s implementation, including an upcoming IRS reporting deadline for large and mid-size businesses, as well as how the cancellation of plans causes consumers to scramble and how the rise in premium costs is creating financial pressures for some.
Patients Want To Price-Shop For Care, But Online Tools Unreliable
A tough diagnosis and a high-deductible insurance plan motivated one couple to shop carefully for care. But they hit a snag — inaccurate prices on online calculators. Who can comparison shop if the price tags are wrong?
A Tale Of Two Obamacare Co-Op Insurers: One Standing, One Falling
Co-ops, the startup, nonprofit insurance companies ushered in by the health law, have failed in 12 states. But 11 co-ops are still hanging on.
As HMOs Dominate, Alternatives Become More Expensive
A KHN analysis finds a sharp difference in premium prices between plans that offer out-of-network care and those that do not.
Viewpoints: Prostate Cancer Screening; Another Abortion Review; Successful Ebola Vaccine
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
News outlets report on health care developments in California, Minnesota, Washington and Florida.
Key Scientist At Coke Retires After Memos Show Ties To Anti-Obesity Group
The revelations showed the soda giant helped fund research that critics say minimized the effect of sugary drinks on obesity.
ACLU, Abortion Providers File Lawsuit To Press MaineCare To Fund Abortions
The legal challenge argues that depriving low-income women of abortion coverage is against the state’s constitution. Meanwhile, in Missouri, a Planned Parenthood clinic in Columbia has stopped performing abortions, leaving only one clinic in the state that continues to do the procedure.
CDC Updates Guidelines On Who Should Take HIV Prevention Drug Truvada
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is pushing to increase awareness of the medication, also known as PrEP, since less than 1 percent of at-risk Americans are taking it. And USA Today reports that one-third of primary care doctors don’t know about the drug, according to a not-yet-published national survey.
Feds Propose Major Changes To Rules Protecting People Participating In Medical Tests
While many of the revisions are seen as long overdue, others are triggering debate among scientists who say the language is overly complex or vague. In other public health news, The Marshall Projects reports on the benefits of giving new hepatitis C treatments to inmates, and NPR separates flu-shot fact from fiction.
Drugmaker Will Cut List Price To Hospitals For Anti-Parasitic Drug But Not For Consumers
Turing Pharmaceuticals says hospitals can earn a discount of up to 50 percent depending on how much of the drug they use. But the price will still be well above what the drug sold for before Turing bought the rights to the drug in August.
Carson’s Early Universal Care Plan Failed To Take Flight; O’Malley Unveils Health Proposal
Before entering GOP politics, Dr. Ben Carson tried to develop a nonprofit that would provide financial assistance to patients without insurance, but it didn’t work. In other campaign news, Democratic presidential contender Martin O’Malley offers his plan for health care, and Republican Sen. Marco Rubio refines his comments about abortion.
GOP Readies For Hill Fight On Health Law And Planned Parenthood
The Associated Press examines the tactics and issues that will be involved in the Republican push to overturn the 2010 health law and federal funding of Planned Parenthood. Also, Politico Pro looks at competing congressional strategies on mental health overhauls.
In Some Cities And States, Medicaid Expansion Funds Provide Help To Homeless People
Meanwhile, in Alabama, a recent state task force recommendation gives the idea of Medicaid expansion additional momentum.
Study Finds Link Between Early Cervical Cancer Detection And Young Women’s Increased Health Coverage
Researchers find a substantial increase in the number of women under the age of 26 who get a diagnosis of early-stage cervical cancer since the implementation of the health law, which allowed young adults to stay on their parents’ plans until that age.
Early Effort By Rubio To Limit Federal Payments To Insurers Is At Heart Of Current Turmoil
Some of the co-op failures and the threat from UnitedHealthcare about a possible pull-out in 2017 are prompted by low levels of federal payments to help shield insurers from losses in the exchanges. Rubio helped lead an effort to stop those payments. Meanwhile, HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell says she is trying to get more information about costs to consumers.
Fight Over Medicaid Managed Care Tax Punches Hole in California Budget
Federal policy requires that California broaden taxes on insurers to fund Medicaid, but state insurers and many Republican legislators are opposed.
Testing For Hepatitis C In Prisons Could Save Many Lives On The Outside
Treating Hep C is expensive, but new drugs can quickly cure the disease, ultimately saving money.
Viewpoints: Pfizer’s Merger Won’t Help Health; Zuckerberg Sets Standard With Paternity Leave
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
State Highlights: N.Y. Seeks Payments From Disabled Who Were Abused; Cancer Surgeries In Calif.
News outlets report on health care developments in New York, California, Iowa, Georgia and New Jersey.