Latest KFF Health News Stories
Calming Dementia Patients Without Powerful Drugs
In California nursing homes, just over 15 percent of dementia patients are on antipsychotic drugs. That’s far more than advocates say is necessary. But that number is down from almost 22 percent just three years ago.
Medicare Pays For Spouses To Get Grief Counseling Through Hospice
But a new study of Medicare beneficiaries finds that hospice services had little impact on depression suffered by individuals after the death of their spouses.
For Millions In Georgia, A Toothache Not Treated By Obamacare
The Affordable Care Act has done little to reduce the number of Americans who lack dental coverage.
South Florida Lawmakers Discuss Medicaid Expansion At Forum
With a special legislative session set for next week, state lawmakers and hospital representatives discussed the future of health care in Florida, including Medicaid expansion.
Viewpoints: GOP Wrestles With Court Response; Mental Health And Poverty; Need For Nurses
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Longer Looks: Abortion Waiting Periods Drive Up Costs; The Backstory Of King V. Burwell
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
News outlets report on health issues from New York, Ohio, California, Florida, Wisconsin, Michigan, Colorado and Illinois.
Appeals Court Sides With Doctors Who Challenged An Arksansas Abortion Ban
Also in the news from the states related to abortion and contraception news, the Alabama House approves new abortion-clinic regulations, a North Carolina Senate panel OKs a 72-hour waiting period for abortions and Wis. Gov. Scott Walker defends mandatory ultrasounds. Meanwhile, in Oregon, a Senate committee advanced legislation requiring private insurers to cover up to 12 months of birth control at a time.
Patients, Family Members Turn Into Entrepreneurs, Activists
The Washington Post writes about the challenges of a man with early-onset dementia who has become an advocate for greater government support for research into Alzheimer’s disease, and also about a woman who invented a clothing line for people who struggle with fine motor skills like her husband.
HIV Patients Should Be Treated Upon Diagnosis, Study Finds
People with the virus that causes AIDS should be put on antiretroviral drugs as soon as they learn they are infected, federal health officials said Wednesday. They put a halt to a clinical trial of early treatment more than a year early because they said the advantages were so evident.
Kasich Defends Ohio’s Medicaid Expansion, Decries Obamacare
In a CNN interview, the Ohio governor and GOP presidential hopeful said that bringing more federal money to Ohio to cover health care for the poor was a separate matter from supporting the federal health law — which Kasich would repeal. And as Rick Santorum joins the crowded field of GOP presidential contenders, The Associated Press looks at the former Pennsylvania senator’s positions.
Medicare Nurse Training Pilot Program Shows Promise
According to Politico Pro, advocates view this program as a means to help ease the nation’s physician shortage. Meanwhile, The Associated Press reports that an AARP study concluded generic drug prices are on the rise.
Blue Cross And Blue Shield Face Major Lawsuits Over Operations
The antitrust lawsuits allege that the 37 independently owned companies are functioning as an illegal cartel. Also in the news, the Japanese company that manufactures the endoscopes linked to a superbug outbreak is getting ready to settle an investigation into its product marketing.
White House Assails Fla. House Republicans’ Opposition To Expanding Medicaid
The subject of expansion remains a hot topic as legislators prepare to try to find a budget compromise when they meet in special session next week. The issue is being watched closely by other states that also have not expanded the low-income health insurance program.
Supporters Of Subsidy Challenge Could Win Case But Lose Politically
If Republican backers of the challenge are successful, they will come under pressure to help the millions of Americans who would lose their federal subsidies and their coverage, reports The Associated Press. But Democrats could also face political consequences, if the administration prevails with the court.
Mid-Sized Businesses Seek Relief From Health Law Provision They Say Will Increase Costs
The Wall Street Journal reports that employer groups and insurers are pushing to keep these employers exempt from the health law’s requirements — scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, 2016 — regarding what health plans must cover and how they are priced. The Journal also offers new takes on the so-called Cadillac tax.
Boehner’s Suit Challenging Obama’s Health Law Orders Set To Be Argued In Court
Preliminary arguments are scheduled Thursday in a federal district court in Washington, D.C. The House of Representatives’ lawsuit says that President Barack Obama overstepped his authority with executive orders implementing the Affordable Care Act. The Obama administration is asking the judge to throw out the case.
5 Reasons Feds Are Overhauling Regs On Medicaid Outsourcing
Management of the joint state-federal program for low-income people has changed dramatically, and federal officials are seeking to make sure it meets the needs of enrollees.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizaitons.
Asthma Sending More Kids To California ERs
California children are increasingly seeking care for asthma in emergency rooms – despite medical advances and millions of dollars spent to control symptoms statewide.