Latest KFF Health News Stories
Contractor Tapped With Healthcare.gov Rescue Says Its Work Is Done
The Wall Street Journal reports that government contractor Optum says it has achieved its goal of making the federal health exchange a stable and reliable platform. Other news outlets examine findings from the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans on the health law’s Cadillac tax, as well as Families USA on issues of affordability.
Small-Business Employees’ Group Slams Washington State For Rejecting Health Plans
While the Washington Education Association health trust has won approval from the state, other groups providing health coverage for thousands of small-business employees are finding their plans in limbo or rejected.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Feds Say That In Screening Colonoscopies, Anesthesia Comes With No Charge
In an announcement this week, federal officials made clear that insurers should not charge patients for the anesthesia used in a screening colonoscopy, but some other routine charges are still in dispute.
Viewpoints: More Work To Fix Health Care; ‘Medicaid Extortion’; Mental Illness And Prison
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Longer Looks: The Dangers To Manicurists; Tom Brokaw’s Battle With Cancer; Nurse Confessions
Each week, KHN finds interesting reads from around the Web.
News outlets examine health care issues in Massachusetts, Texas, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Utah, Indiana, New York, South Carolina and California.
In other related news, Kansas abortion opponents are pressing for a rewrite of state health and safety regulations on abortion providers and Tenn. Gov. Bill Haslam signed into law stricter standards for abortion clinics.
Ohio Budget Provision Puts Medicaid Coverage At Risk For Some Poor Children, Adults
News outlets also report on Medicaid-related developments in Alaska, North Carolina and Texas.
Fighting ‘Superbugs’ Could Require Multibillion-Dollar Investment
An economist from the United Kingdom says the global community will need as much as $37 billion over 10 years to fight the threat. In the U.S., hospitals look for ways to better clean scopes — often a source of hospital-acquired infections.
Reward Vs. Penalty: Study Examines Most Effective Incentive To Quit Smoking
Researchers found that the risk of losing money if a person failed to stay off cigarettes doubled the chances of smoking cessation success.
VA Improperly Spent $6 Billion On Medical Care And Supplies, Internal Memo Says
The Veterans Affairs senior procurement official sent a memo to VA Sec. Robert McDonald saying the department violated federal contracting rules and engaged in “gross mismanagement.”
Investment Firms Direct Retirees On Health Expenses
Big brokerage firms like Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley are offering advice to wealthier retirees on health care expenses. Elsewhere, a billionaire sounds the baby-boomer health care-costs alarm, and PBS NewsHour looks at COBRA versus Medicare coverage.
A $38,000 Outpatient Surgical Bill Justified By Regional Hospital Price Variations
A former health-insurance worker was surprised and concerned that her Havasu, Ariz., hospital charged so much for an hour-long eye-lid procedure. But her health insurer agreed to pay nearly $30,000, saying the charges were “allowable.” Elsewhere, the Montana Supreme Court revived a case accusing hospitals of unfairly charging different rates for insured and uninsured patients.
21st Century Cures Legislation A Fast-Moving Target For Biomedical Interests, Intiatives
House Energy & Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton, R-Mich., says a funding boost for the Food and Drug Administration is going to be added when the measure is considered by the full committee next week.
House OKs Measure To Ban Abortions After 20 Weeks
The bill, which was a revised version of earlier legislation that GOP leaders pulled after objections from their own caucus, passed 242 to 184. It is expected to face a tough path in the Senate and has already triggered a veto threat from the White House.
Colorado Lawmakers Question Proposed Fee Hikes For State Exchange
Meanwhile, Hawaii plans to use the federal government’s software to run its troubled state exchange. And the counties making up metro Atlanta had the highest Obamacare enrollment in Georgia.
Expansion Debates Reheat As Medicaid Enrollment Exceeds Expectations
The lines are particularly stark between expansion and non-expansion states. Meanwhile, news outlets in Louisiana, Alaska and Tennessee also report on the latest developments.
GOP Senator Wants States To Be Able To Opt Out Of Obamacare If Subsidies Are Struck
Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, a freshman senator and a physician, recommends allowing states to opt out of the health law if the Supreme Court strikes down subsidies in federal exchange states. Meanwhile, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi said the GOP will “rue the day” if the court strikes the subsidies.
S.C. Man Will Get Sight-Saving Surgery As Liberal Donors Chip In
Most said they hope he gets the surgery and changes his political views.