Latest KFF Health News Stories
Companies Appeal Judge’s Finding That Iowa Dismiss One Of Four Medicaid Contracts
Also in Iowa, three large hospital systems sign contracts to participate in the state’s new Medicaid managed care programs. Meanwhile, in other related news, a former Kansas Medicaid director offers ideas about how the programs in other states could be streamlined, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has finalized a rule regarding funding to help states upgrade technology for their Medicaid enrollment systems.
Calif. Attorney General Approves Transfer Of 6 Nonprofit Hospitals
The transfer involves the Daughters of Charity Health System and the BlueMountain Capital Management, a New York-based hedge fund.
IBM’s Supercomputer Watson Helps Doctors Analyze Health Care Data
In other medical practice news, some plastic surgeons are doing more psychiatric screenings as concerns over patient mental health grows.
Virginia Hospitals’ Reversal On Bed Tax Could Give Governor Path To Medicaid Expansion
The Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association previously resisted paying a tax on how many beds they have — also known as a provider assessment. But the money generated from it, combined with a federal match, could help fund Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s plan to expand Medicaid. Elsewhere, other Medicaid developments are reported from Utah, Indiana and Kentucky.
In Speech Defining His Views, Ryan Challenges GOP But Reasserts Plans To Repeal Health Law
The new House speaker unveils his plans for a “pro-growth” agenda that includes a vow to offer a substitute next year to the 2010 health law.
Republican Senators Resist Democrats’ Push To Add Gun-Control Amendments To Health Law Repeal
Amendments were offered by Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., one day after the deadly shooting in San Bernardino, Calif.
As Part Of Broader Repeal Effort Senate Votes To Strike The ‘Cadillac Tax’
In debate on the bill to repeal the health law, senators voted 90-10 to approve an amendment that would also repeal a future tax on high-cost health insurance plans.
Senate OKs Bill To Undo Key Health Law Provisions, Gut Planned Parenthood Funding
Though congressional Republicans have voted on similar legislation a multitude of times, this measure is likely to be the first one to make it to President Barack Obama’s desk, where it would certainly be met with a veto pen.
At a special meeting, 99 percent of Anthem shareholders approved a move to issue shares to carry out the $54 billion acquisition of Cigna.
New Guidelines Boost Diabetes Screening For Overweight Adults
The prevention task force also recommends that patients with high blood sugar levels be referred to nutrition and exercise counseling. Under the health law, the services would be covered by insurance without cost sharing.
Viewpoints: GOP’s ‘Doomed Quest’ On Health Law; Insurers And Drug Prices; HIV Therapy
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Longer Looks: Bacteria On The Brain; Abortion Rhetoric; Texting Therapists
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
News outlets report on health care developments in California, New Mexico, Georgia, Colorado, Minnesota, Connecticut, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Massachusetts and Washington, D.C.
Protests, Hate Mail And Stalkings Are Part Of Daily Life For Abortion Providers
ProPublica talks with an author who interviewed 87 clinic owners, doctors and employees about their experiences. In related news, following the shooting at a Colorado Planned Parenthood, regional reproductive rights groups are asking the state legislature to classify attacks on abortion facilities as domestic terrorism.
Kentucky Republican Senators Don’t Plan To Block $250M Allocated For Medicaid Funding
Though Republican lawmakers fought expansion of the low-income health program, it now covers over 400,000 Kentucky residents. State Senate leaders say they will wait for the new Medicaid plan of incoming Republican governor, Matt Bevin, who has said he wants to roll it back. Elsewhere, Arkansas Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson stops an unfinished Medicaid enrollment system. And the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is allowing states asking for Medicaid waivers to use money to provide housing for some who are ill and homeless.
Super PACs Spend Campaign Cash — Even If Candidates Don’t Want It
Even for presidential candidates like Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders who have denounced the political groups, the super PACs are planning big spends on their behalf. In more campaign news, after questioning other candidates but not releasing his own medical records, Trump says he will do so.
High Court Hears Oral Arguments On Vermont Health Care Data Law
Some of the state insurers argued that federal law bars states from requiring insurers to supply data on the costs and outcomes of their services. But some policymakers counter that these databases are important in the effort to improve quality of care and control costs.
Insured By A PPO? Beware Of Costly Trap As Insurers Remove Out-Of-Network Limits
A trend among this year’s marketplace plans leaves some consumers responsible for potentially unlimited bills when they thought they had some financial protections. And in other Obamacare news, The Texas Tribune reports on a rise in health insurance scams.
Obamacare, Expensive New Drugs Drive Up 2014 U.S. Health Spending
Health spending last year grew by 5.3 percent to more than $3 trillion, which is the biggest jump since 2007.
Speaker Ryan To Push Work Requirements For Safety Net Programs
Elsewhere, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid intends to force a vote on an amendment to keep guns away from people convicted of violating a law meant to ensure access to abortion clinics.