Latest KFF Health News Stories
New Speaker Paul Ryan On The Issues
CNN also reports that although Ryan doesn’t want Planned Parenthood to get money from taxpayers, he is doubtful lawmakers can totally deny the organization federal dollars.
Justice Department Reaches $250M Settlement With Hospitals Over Cardiac Device Violations
More than 450 hospitals in 43 states are alleged to have violated Medicare coverage requirements by implanting cardioverter defibrillators too soon after patients suffered a heart attack or had other procedures.
Medicare Sets Final Rule To Pay Doctors For Consultations On ‘End-of-Life’ Care
The new rule did not ignite the fierce fight that a similar measure did during the health law debate. Medicare officials also turned down requests from hospitals to change their plans for a controversial rule to determine which patients are considered out-patient status, and the Wall Street Journal examines how the federal government is curbing the auditors who check those hospital decisions.
Why Are The Health Law’s Co-Ops Failing?
Arizona’s co-op plan — which covers one in three people in that state with health law plans — won’t be allowed to sell plans, leaving more than 59,000 people scrambling to find new health insurance.
States Implement Strategies To Reach Uninsured People During Insurance Sign-Up Season
In addition to detailing state efforts to reach these consumers, news outlets also report on how local market offerings have changed this year.
Health Law’s Third Open Enrollment Season Begins
Open enrollment for health coverage available on the healthcare.gov and state exchanges kicked off Nov. 1. Though the technology glitches and drama of the first sign-up period appear to be less likely, officials note challenges remain — namely, the reduced number of plan choices and the costs increases for some premiums.
California And Federal Officials Reach Deal On Medicaid Reforms
A “conceptual agreement” worth $6.2 billion comes as a relief to California public hospitals, just as an earlier Medicaid agreement was set to expire.
First Edition: November 2, 2015
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
A Med School Teaches Science And Data Mining
At NYU medical school, students learn to access huge troves of data to become doctors who understand the health care system, and individual ailments, better.
Alaskans Face Tough Choices Because Of High Insurance Costs
The highest Obamacare insurance rates in the country are in Alaska. Though most people get a subsidy to help defray the cost, those who don’t are increasingly wondering if they should cancel their health insurance.
It’s Open Enrollment Time: What To Know About Obamacare Costs
KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey appeared on PBS NewsHour to talk about open enrollment season to buy health insurance coverage on healthcare.gov and online state marketplaces.
California Targets African Americans And Latinos In New Round Of Obamacare
Only about half of blacks considered eligible for subsidies have enrolled.
Viewpoints: Budget Deal’s Key Reform On Hospital Payments; Carson’s ‘Muddled’ Health Plan
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Research Roundup: The Cadillac Tax; Patient-Centered Care; Medicare Advantage
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
News outlets report on health issues in California, Florida, Kentucky, New York, Minnesota, Oregon, Wisconsin and Kansas.
In other state Medicaid news, a judge blocks Louisiana’s effort to cut Medicaid funding from Planned Parenthood clinics, and a New York audit uncovers a pattern in which people who are deceased were able to enroll in Medicaid or continue to receive benefits. Meanwhile, Rhode Island gets a new Medicaid director, and the Des Moines Register reports on the bidding process used in Iowa for management of the health insurance program for low-income people.
Some First-Year Docs Still Working 30-Hour Shifts Despite Ban
The Washington Post reports that dozens of hospitals are still engaged in this practice, outlawed due to patient safety concerns. Elsewhere, The Washington Post Magazine looks at a primary care doctor shortage.
GM Contract Would Improve Newer Workers’ Health Coverage, Could Raise Employee Spending
The agreement with the UAW, which still awaits a union ratification vote, provides better coverage for the 11,000 people who were hired since October 2007. But the union members could face higher costs if the plan is affected by the “Cadillac” tax scheduled to take effect on generous health plans in 2018.
Aetna Reports Earnings Up, Raises Full-Year Profit Forecast For Fourth Time This Year
In other industry news, Sanofi recalls Auvi-Q epinephrine injectors, and NPR reports on the false hope that “breakthrough” cancer treatments can cause.
Valeant To End Controversial Relationship With Specialty Pharmacy Philidor
The nation’s three largest drug benefit managers, CVS, Express Scripts and UnitedHealth Group, had also announced that they would no longer work with Philidor, the mysterious pharmacy at the center of questions surrounding Valeant’s business practices.