Latest KFF Health News Stories
State Highlights: Fla. Weighs Hospital Transparency Bill; Ky. Lawmakers Approve New Abortion Law
News outlets report on health care issues in Florida, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Virginia, California, Kansas, Washington and Illinois.
Kansas Medicaid Eligibility System Leads To Long Waits For Determination
News outlets also report on Iowa Medicaid developments such as competition among participating health care companies and more issues with the governor’s privatization plan.
DNA Testing May Prove Key To Employee Wellness Programs
Newtopia, a wellness service company that offers genetic testing to employees, has shown promising results. About 50 percent of participants remain “engaged” a year after starting the program, compared to a national average of 24 percent for wellness efforts. In other public health news, CDC tweaks its HPV vaccination recommendations; American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists updates its philosophy on breastfeeding; and colleges are teaching students how to avoid unplanned pregnancies.
WHO Declares Zika A Global Health Emergency
Even though the tie between the virus and microcephaly, which causes babies to be born with abnormally small heads, is still unclear, the World Health Organization says the seriousness of the cases is a strong enough reason for the designation.
Hospital operators and administrators are also preparing for the possibility of more reductions in Medicare and Medicaid fees in the upcoming budget cycle.
Drug Executives: Price Hikes A ‘Reality’ In Competitive Marketplace
A new survey finds that the costs of drugs has risen across the board on a wide-range of medications, more than doubling for 60 drugs in the past year. Meanwhile, a generic version of a promising cancer drug, which costs about 30 percent less, is hitting the market.
What Will Cancer ‘Moonshot’ Cost? Obama Seeks $1 Billion That Researchers Say Is Not Enough
President Barack Obama will request an increase from Congress that would bump up total funding for a cancer initiative to $1 billion over the next two years. But biological researchers warn that money will go fast.
Also in the news, Gilead Sciences Inc. CEO John Martin will step down and be replaced by Chief Operating Officer John Milligan.
Aetna Profits Beat Expectations Despite Losses From ACA Plans
Even after posting a 38-percent surge in fourth-quarter earnings, Aetna joins the voices of other large insurers who are concerned about the sustainability of the health law plans.
Ryan, Obama To Meet As House Prepares For Vote On Overriding Veto On Health Law Repeal
It will be the first one-on-one meeting between the president and the Wisconsin Republican since he became speaker of the House. Also in health law news, a look at efforts in New York and Minnesota to offer more affordable policies to low-income residents, Minnesota reports its enrollment numbers and an Ohio insurer drops a health system from its network.
Iowa Caucuses: Cruz Beats Trump; Clinton Claims Narrow Victory
The night signals a long road ahead for both parties.
‘Critical Illness’ Insurance Grows As Out-Of-Pocket Health Costs Jump
A relatively obscure category of health insurance — “critical illness” insurance — is catching on because, increasingly, conventional health plans have consumers paying a lot of out-of-pocket costs. Mark Zdechlik of Minnesota Public Radio explains the pros and cons of critical care insurance in this story that aired on NPR’s Morning Edition.
First Edition: February 2, 2016
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N.Y., Minn. Opt For Low-Cost Plans To Help Some Residents Afford Coverage
Both states are offering “basic health programs” that provide policies to consumers with low monthly premiums and copayments, and low or no deductibles.
Hospitals Employ Email ‘Empathy’ To Help Doctors And Patients Keep In Touch
A better way to communicate with patients and track their progress?
Insurer’s Approval Of Genetic Testing For Some Cancers Raises Questions
The decision by Independence Blue Cross of Pennsylvania to pay for whole genome sequencing for some cancer patients adds to the debate about how to handle these expensive tests.
Study: Doctors’ Texts Can Prod Patients To Take Drugs, But Questions Linger
In an analysis published Monday in JAMA Internal Medicine, researchers found that text message reminders help patients do better when it comes to taking their medicines. But questions about the specific ways to make the most of this strategy remain.
Viewpoints: Health Premiums Bust Wallets; Affordability Of Care, Access To Insurance Go Together
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
News outlets report on health care developments in California, Ohio, Massachusetts, Illinois, Hawaii, Florida, Minnesota, Texas and Delaware.
Republican Efforts Against Planned Parenthood In Texas Produce Few Results
The grand jury investigation is just one of several steps Texas Republicans have taken against the reproductive health organization. Media outlets also report on abortion news in Florida and Kentucky.