Latest KFF Health News Stories
State Highlights: Western Colo. Health Premiums Rise 26%; Fla. HIV Cases Swell
News outlets report on health care developments in Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Washington, Kansas, New York, Hawaii, Arizona, Maryland and Minnesota.
Fla. Panel Passes Bill To End Almost All Abortions, But Its Chances Are Slim In Full Legislature
In other news, Hawaii lawmakers introduce a bill to allow pharmacists to prescribe birth control; a Senate committee in Ohio is slated to take up a Planned Parenthood defunding bill; Massachusetts ends its practice of sending addicted women to prison instead of offering them treatment; and a new study finds large disparities in women who have access to minimally invasive hysterectomies.
Iowa Will Be Ready For Medicaid Privatization Switch, State Official Says
Iowa Medicaid Director Mikki Stier says she is “very confident” that the state will be ready to transfer its Medicaid program to private management starting March 1. Meanwhile in Kansas, an audit finds that new computer system for Medicaid enrollment will save far less than the $300 million that was estimated.
Local Health Care Workers Help Flint Residents Respond To Water Contamination Crisis
Doctors, local hospitals and insurers are coordinating the local health effort in Flint, Mich. In related news, ProPublica explores the causes of the tainted drinking water emergency. And a former prosecutor is selected to lead up the investigation of the events that led to the crisis.
Glaxo Weighing Feasibility Of Zika Vaccine
Meanwhile, women in Brazil, where the virus has affected as many 1.3 million people, are being advised to avoid pregnancy.
Number Of Geriatricians Shrinks As Number Of Older Americans Who Need Care Grows
In other public health news, insurance providers are hiring social workers trained to help addiction issues. KQED writes about the benefits of home screening kits for colon cancer. And NPR reports on the continued challenges for people with Type 1 diabetes, despite the gains made fighting Type 2.
States Finding It Hard To Coordinate Care For People Who Have Medicare And Medicaid
A report to CMS looks at difficulties encountered by states running demonstration programs. Also in the news, Medicare officials are weighing opioid abuse efforts and advocates are pressing for coverage of genetic sequencing of tumors.
In California, Hearing On HealthNet-Centene Merger Triggers Tough Questions
Meanwhile, Centene also discloses that six hard drives with information belonging to about 950,000 members are “unaccounted for.” Also in the news, Modern Healthcare reports on Marilyn Tavenner’s view of how AHIP moves forward. And news outlets detail high-deductible health plans and limited coverage plans.
At Iowa Forum, Clinton Stresses Health Care Credentials; Sanders Defends ‘Medicare-For-All’ Tax Hike
With a week to go before the Iowa caucuses, the Democratic presidential candidates faced off one more time at a town hall-style forum. Hillary Clinton reiterated her recent message that she wanted universal health care first. Bernie Sanders acknowledged that his health care plan would raise taxes, but said the increase would be offset by overall cost savings.
Markey Blocking Vote On FDA Nominee Until Agency Addresses Opioid Concerns
Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., the second lawmaker to place a hold on the nomination, says, “The FDA needs to commit to shift the way it approaches and evaluates addiction before I can support Dr. Califf’s nomination.” Elsewhere on Capitol Hill, Republicans are likely to use a new Congressional Budget Office analysis of booming health care costs to propose deep funding cuts. Also, lawmakers reschedule their hearing on drug prices.
Grand Jury Indicts 2 Activists Behind Planned Parenthood Videos
During its investigation into accusations of misconduct against Planned Parenthood, a Texas grand jury cleared the organization of wrongdoing and instead indicted the two people who secretly recorded videos purporting to show officials trying to profit from the sale of fetal tissue.
Report To Alaska Legislature Disputes Some Opponents’ Efforts To Stop Expanding Medicaid
Republican lawmakers are challenging Gov. Bill Walker’s decision to use executive action to implement the expansion but a report they ordered may not help their case. Also, outlets report on Medicaid expansion news in North Carolina and South Dakota and the future of the program after the 2016 presidential election.
CBO Reduces Health Law Enrollment Estimates
The Congressional Budget Office on Monday updated its projections about how many people would sign up for health insurance, dropping the number from 21 million to 13 million.
First Edition: January 26, 2016
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Consumers Cut Costs By Combining Limited Coverage Health Plans, Despite Penalty Risks
People sometimes put together a variety of policies, such as short-term and critical illness plans, instead of buying more expensive comprehensive health coverage. But they likely will face federal health law penalties.
A Closer Look At The Senate’s Investigation Of Tainted Medical Scopes
A Senate investigation recently found that 16 hospitals around the U.S. failed to file mandatory paperwork with the federal government after patients at their hospitals became infected or died from the use of tainted medical scopes. KHN’s Chad Terhune, who reported on the story for the Los Angeles Times, spoke with Madeline Brand on KCRW’s Press Play about the investigation and steps the scope maker is taking to stop the infections.
Viewpoints: Health Law Unhappiness?; Single-Payer And The ‘Continental Divide’
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
State Highlights: Rural Hospital Crisis Continues; Utahns Want More Open Talk About Health Care Plan
News outlets report on health care developments in Georgia, South Carolina, Utah, Maryland, New York, West Virginia, Virginia, Massachusetts and Kansas.
Three Of Four Children Covered By Medicaid Don’t Get Required Dental Care
Federal watchdog also finds that a quarter of these children don’t see a dentist at all. Two key parts of the problem are that few dentists take the low Medicaid reimbursements and many consumers don’t realize the importance of dental care. Other articles look at Medicaid news in Iowa, Nevada and Alaska.
Consumers Want Privacy Wall Around Personal Health Info, Tech Execs Find
In the future, people may be willing to pay to ensure their health care information remains private, technology experts say. In other health IT news, Epic Systems is finding success in the expanding electronic health records market.