Latest KFF Health News Stories
House Expected To Pass Revised, 20-Week Abortion Ban
The legislation stands little chance of becoming law even if it clears Congress, since President Barack Obama is unlikely to sign it.
Who Should Pay To Save The Sight Of An Uninsured South Carolina Man?
A self-employed handyman chose not to buy health insurance. Now, with his savings exhausted and health problems that may lead to blindness, The Charlotte Observer blogs about how his case poses economic, as well as moral challenges.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Radical Approach To Huge Hospital Bills: Set Your Own Price
A small consulting firm is disrupting hospitals’ business as usual by encouraging employers to pay much less than what hospitals bill — based on its analysis of what is reasonable.
With Specialists In Short Supply, L.A. County Turns To e-Consulting
Facing a shortfall of doctors — and a dearth of money — L.A. County, Calif., is using a web-based system called eConsult that allows primary care doctors and specialists to exchange patient medical records before sending them for referral appointments.
Viewpoints: Protecting Nail Salon Workers; GOP’s Possible Subsidy Fix; Medicaid And Work
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
News outlets examine health care issues in Maryland, New York, South Carolina, Texas, North Carolina, California, Georgia, Wisconsin, Missouri, Alaska and Washington,
Alabama Mental Health Advocates Urge State Lawmakers Not To Trim Funding
News outlets also report on developments related to the mental health care system in Illinois, Massachusetts and Minnesota.
Former Head Of Right-To-Die Group Says Members Don’t Assist In Suicides
The past president of “Final Exit” is on trial for allegedly assisting a Minnesota woman’s suicide. In Michigan, a hospice care group comforts seriously ill people while still helping provide curative therapies.
Primary Care Docs, Anesthesiologists Face Tough Questions Over Their Roles
Will machines replace anesthesiologists? Should primary care physicians do more or less? These are among the serious issues being confronted by these specialties.
WHO Needs Radical Changes To Cope With Health Emergencies, Preliminary Report Finds
The report was critical of the agency’s reaction to the Ebola crisis. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization also offered best-practices recommendations last week about how to name newly identified human infectious diseases.
17 House Democrats Press For Repeal Of Medical Device Tax
Also in the news from Capitol Hill, House Republicans advance a bill related to fetus survival and late-term abortions.
Florida’s Public Hospitals Brace For Cuts Amid Budget Stalemate
Hospital officials say they will be hurt if a special Medicaid program to help cover the costs of treating the poor ends in June. Meanwhile, groups lobby central Florida lawmakers to expand Medicaid under the health law, which would bring billions of additional federal dollars into the state.
Lawmakers Mull Options In Case Health Law Subsidies Are Struck Down
Congress and state officials face possible chaos if the Supreme Court rules next month that health insurance subsidies are illegal, but the alternatives are complex and require political will. WNPR offers stories from Louisiana of people who are helped by the benefit. Meanwhile, the financial health of the state marketplaces is under scrutiny.
HHS Tells Insurers To Close Gaps In Contraceptive Coverage
The administration says plans must cover at least one form of all types of women’s contraceptives — including the patch and intrauterine devices — without cost to the beneficiary. Recent reports had shown a number of insurers were not adhering to that health law provision.
Medicaid Expansion Is Still A Tumultuous Fight In Several States
Medicaid expansion was a big deal in a handful of states’ legislatures this year. Wyoming said no, Tennessee said no. Montana said yes in last-minute maneuvering, and three more states are coming down to the wire, including Utah, Alaska and Florida.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Home Visits By Nurses For First-Time Mothers Help Reduce Government Costs
The Nurse-Family Partnership is one of more than a dozen programs that are eligible for funding under the federal health law. Congress renewed the spending this year.
What’s Next If The Supreme Court Strikes Down Obamacare Aid?
An interview with policy expert Linda Blumberg of the Urban Institute about the possible consequences of the latest health law case before the Supreme Court, King v. Burwell.
In Louisiana, Obamacare Subsidies Mean Financial Independence For Some
Meet three people from the Bayou State who would likely lose their insurance and their newfound sense of financial stability if the Supreme Court rules subsidies illegal in the King v. Burwell case.