Latest KFF Health News Stories
Seniors Who Don’t Consider Switching Drug Plans May Face Steep Price Rise
For beneficiaries, staying in their current plans could prove costly so advocates urge them to check out the alternatives.
Viewpoints: Fixing Medicare Premium Hikes; 2016 Politics And Drug Abuse
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
News outlets report on health issues in Virginia, California, Vermont, Indiana, Missouri, Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New York and Ohio.
Gov. Bobbly Jindal, who is also a GOP presidential hopeful, began the push to defund the reproductive health organization last summer after controversial videos were released regarding the group’s involvement in fetal tissue research. In other news, Michigan anti-abortion advocates are advancing measures in the state legislature that would target second-term abortions.
Feud Flares Up In Georgia Between Hospitals And Cancer Treatment Chain
In other hospital-related news, The Connecticut Mirror details the state’s hospital spending and tax issues, which are currently central to a budget debate in the legislature. Meanwhile, other news outlets report on Twitter’s role in tracking hospital satisfaction; a Maryland lawsuit by a union and local residents seeking to prevent a hospital closure; and a North Carolina Indian tribe is opening a new hospital.
N.C. Health Dept. Acknowledges Potential Medicaid Data Breach
In other state Medicaid news, Iowa officials struggle to document savings they claim will result from hiring private companies to managed the health insurance program for low-income people; and, in Texas, the state appeals a judge’s order regarding proposed cuts in payments for therapists.
VA Administrator Charged With Reducing Claims Backlog Resigns
Allison Hickey, Veterans Affairs under secretary for benefits, oversaw a decline in pending claims during her tenure in part by transitioning from paper to digital files. Recently, an internal agency watchdog found promotion and reimbursement irregularities in her department.
Dementia Care — Where And How — Often Dictated By Money
In other news, KHN reports that antibiotic overuse in nursing homes may be putting residents in danger. And ProPublica reports Medicare spent nearly $4.6 billion in the first half of 2015 on hepatitis C drugs.
Kite Pharma’s GPS-Like Treatment For Lymphatic Cancer Shows Promise In Trials
In other industry news, start-up insurer Oscar aims to build a consumer-friendly app that makes health care access easier. And hospitals around the U.S. consider jumping into the health insurance business.
FDA Scrutiny Raises Questions About Theranos’ ‘Breakthrough’ Blood Tests
In the wake of a Food and Drug Administration warning letter to the testing startup, news outlets report on Theranos’ hyped technology that the company says can screen for diseases with only a few drops of blood from a finger prick.
Clinton Calls For Cap On Medicare Cost Spikes
The Democratic presidential hopeful wants Congress to act to stave off Medicare premium and deductible increases for some beneficiaries after Social Security benefits stagnated. The increases for many would amount to an additional $54 per month in costs.
Congress Has Short Timeline To Stop Medicare Premium Increases
The Hill reports hopes are dimming for a that congressional deal to avert double-digit increases that will be felt by some Medicare beneficiaries next year. Meanwhile, Politico notes that budget talks appear to be hitting the skids.
Ky.’s Medicaid Expansion At Stake In Gov.’s Race, But La. Candidates Are Embracing The Option
Candidates to replace Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear are divided on whether to keep the popular Medicaid expansion that he implemented. In Louisana, where Gov. Bobby Jindal has been one of the country’s most steadfast critics of the federal health law and expansion, all four candidates for governor say they would support implementing it.
Managing Expectations Key To The Goal Administration Set For Health Enrollment
The New York Times examines how the Obama administration set its goal for 2016. Elsewhere, The Associated Press notes that the penalty for not having health coverage rises to $695 next year, a level that could motivate more people to sign up for insurance. Also, The Washington Post looks at a challenge by a group of nuns to the health law’s contraception coverage requirement.
Two More Health Law Co-Ops Face Collapse
The health insurance cooperatives in Oregon and Colorado, which will cease operation at the end of the year, join a list of nonprofit insurers — entities created by the health law — which are being shuttered by state regulators in six other states because they face financial distress.
First Edition: October 19, 2015
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
No Ready-Made Rx For Rising Drug Costs
Lawmakers, insurers and others have floated proposals to combat the spike in prescription drug prices, but will any of them gain traction?
Nursing Homes’ Residents Face Health Risks From Antibiotics’ Misuse
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urges homes to improve their policies in fight against antibiotic-resistant superbugs.
Viewpoints: Obamacare Enrollment ‘Flatlined’; Investors Enjoying Health Law Benefits
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.