Latest KFF Health News Stories
President Obama Outlines Plan To Curb Nation’s Opioid Epidemic
President Barack Obama went to West Virginia Wednesday — an area of the U.S. hard hit by the drug crisis — to outline how he plans to increase access to drug treatment and expand the training of health professionals to deal with addiction.
Hillary Clinton ‘Skeptical’ Of Aetna-Humana Merger Plan
The Democratic presidential candidate expressed concern Wednesday that this multibillion-dollar deal could take the balance of power too far away from consumers. The companies’ stocks slipped after her comments.
Paul Ryan Wins Backing Of Key Group’s Members For Speaker Role
The Wisconsin Republican’s record on issues is also examined as he faces a key vote on the road to becoming speaker of the House. In the meantime, Politico looks at who is likely to succeed Ryan as chair of the House Ways and Means Committee.
In Tracking Outbreaks Of Food Poisoning, Can Yelp Help?
During a recent, widespread food poisoning outbreak in San Jose, some of the most detailed accounts surfaced on the popular consumer review site.
First Edition: October 22, 2015
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Ryan’s Options–And Challenges; Fighting Opioid Drugs; Paying Egg Donors
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
News outlets report on health issues in Virginia, California, West Virginia, Michigan, Washington, Delaware, Missouri, Kansas and Maryland.
Legislative Panel Urging Changes To Help Insurers In MassHealth
Insurers that manage care for the Massachusetts Medicaid program lost millions of dollars last year, spurring the lawmakers’ concern. In other statehouse news, Mass. lawmakers also are skeptical of the governor’s plan to curb opioid abuse. Meanwhile, New York lawmakers mull a plan to move people with disabilities to community residences. And, in Florida, the Senate president is advancing a measure to increase funding for infants and toddlers with developmental disabilities and delays.
Rather Than Improving, VA Wait Times Are ‘Increasing Significantly’: Internal Memo
VA Deputy Secretary Sloan Gibson says the agency can’t catch up as more veterans seek care. In related news, investigators find that patients died while waiting for urology care at the Veterans Affairs hospital in Phoenix.
Medicare Advantage Plan Ratings May Be Adjusted After Fairness Complaints
Elsewhere, a proposal to stave off a $54-per-month increase in Medicare premiums for some seniors could lead to a budget battle on Capitol Hill.
Jeb Bush’s Wealth Linked To Tenet Healthcare, Other Companies That Did Business With Florida
The New York Times reviews the finances of the former Florida governor, who has been critical of officials who trade on their connections. Elsewhere on the trail, Marco Rubio’s calls for a repeal of the health law resonate with conservatives. And Hillary Clinton blasts the Iowa governor’s plan to move to Medicaid managed care.
Start-Up Collective Health Tackles Notoriously Complicated Health Insurance Sector
In other health industry news, Gritstone Oncology receives $102 million to fund the development of personalized cancer treatments, while Amino builds an online consumer service driven by its vast collection of medical treatment data.
Staggering Drug Price Hikes As High As 1,200% Driven By Hedge Funds, Activist Group Says
An analysis by Hedge Clippers, an activist group, found 19 drugs have experienced stunning price hikes of between 300 percent and 1,200 percent over the past two years, and most of the companies responsible were backed by private capital. In related news, NBC News reports on “pay-to-delay” deals that drug makers employ to stave off generics.
Cancer Society Updates Mammogram Guidelines
The American Cancer Society said Tuesday that women should start getting the screening test at a later age — 45 instead of 40 — and fewer of them.
After $3 Million Loss, Dartmouth-Hitchcock To Leave Pioneer ACO Program
The medical center says the Pioneer accountable care organization model is “unsustainable.” KHN also queries experts on whether they think ACOs are working.
GOP Candidates In La. Say They Want Federal Waivers Before Seeking Medicaid Expansion
The three Republicans running for governor, who all have said they would be open to expanding Medicaid to provide health coverage to the state’s low-income residents, said they would want to modify the option provided in the health law to meet their concerns. Also in the news, Alabama’s governor suggests he is weighing an expansion, although he is not expecting to act soon.
The Obama administration is stepping up its defense of this part of the 2010 health law in the face of attacks not only by Republicans in Congress, but by some Democrats, too. Meanwhile, news outlets also report on how the undoing of some health insurance co-ops could bring higher costs to the marketplace.
On Capitol Hill, Lawmakers Weigh Possible Plans To Raise The Debt Ceiling
Some GOP House members are pushing for a bill that would have “strings attached” — some of which include finding savings in Medicare and Medicaid. Many Republicans also are blaming the Democrats and the health law for the failure of the Obamacare co-ops. Meanwhile, 10 House Democrats are urging that Medicare cover the cost of end-of-life discussions.
Ryan Says He Will Agree To Take Speaker’s Job, But Only If GOP Caucus Unifies Behind Him
The House Republicans’ leadership struggle has complicated the fall legislative calendar, which includes must-pass items such as the measure to raise the federal debt limit.
First Edition: October 21, 2015
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.