Latest KFF Health News Stories
Johnson & Johnson To Use Ethicists To Screen Patients’ Early Access Requests
The drugmaker is creating an independent panel to respond to the growing number of terminally ill patients who have sought to obtain drugs still in the testing phase that show promise for treating their diseases.
Fla. Gov. Meets With HHS Chief But Fails To Secure Hospital Funding
The state is asking the federal government to continue providing $1 billion for hospitals that provide care to many low-income patients, but the Obama administration says expanding Medicaid is a better solution.
Nearly 17 Million Americans Gained Coverage Through Health Law, Study Shows
In the last year and a half since the Affordable Care Act was implemented, gains have been made across all types of insurance, from employer-provided health plans to Medicaid, according to a new report. The analysis tallied 22.8 million newly insured and 5.9 million who lost coverage.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Losing A Hospital In The Heart Of A Small City
Economic challenges are squeezing the city of Lakewood, just outside of Cleveland, forcing the closure of one hospital, even as another is built in a more affluent suburb.
Florida Governor Leaves D.C. Meeting Empty-Handed
Despite ‘a good conversation’ with HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell, Gov. Rick Scott gets no commitment on uncompensated care funding.
Viewpoints: Huckabee Wrong On Entitlements; Va.’s Shift On Abortion; Solving ER Crowding
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
News outlets examine health care issues in Indiana, California, Nevada, Colorado and New York,
Nev. Auditors Blame Faulty Computer System For Medicaid Overpayments
Meanwhile, South Carolina will repay the federal government $1.6 million related to room-and-board costs for patients with intellectual disabilities under a special Medicaid program.
Abortion Coverage Would Be Banned Under Bill Approved By Texas Senate
Under the Texas law, private health insurance plans and those offered through the federal marketplace could only cover the procedure in medical emergencies. In Iowa, the governor wants to change an odd provision that requires his sign off for payments of the state’s Medicaid-covered abortions.
Mike Huckabee Casts Himself As Protector Of Medicare, Social Security
In declaring his candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination, the preacher, TV host and former governor pledged to protect popular but increasingly costly programs for older Americans, putting him at odds with several of his rivals.
Senators Want Independent VA Review To Determine If Claims Troubles Are Systemic
A bipartisan group of senators says efforts by the Department of Veterans Affairs to fix delays in handling veterans claims are insufficient and calls for the Government Accountability Office to investigate all 56 regional offices. Meanwhile, California lawmakers push for a new clinic to serve 87,000 veterans.
In Wake Of Settlement, DaVita Plans Stepped-Up Oversight
The kidney-care company announced plans to spend more than $25 million a year on compliance efforts.
Study Examines Some Drugs’ Higher Costs, Questionable Benefit After Exclusivity
Also, Bloomberg reports that diabetes drugs often rise in tandem. So-called “shadow pricing” by competitors is one reason drug prices continue to surge.
Community Health Systems Back In The Black
The hospital operator, which is the largest one by actual hospital count, benefited from its acquisition of Health Management Associates Inc. and from changes in uninsured rates and admissions resulting from the health law. Meanwhile, HCA, the largest hospital chain by revenue, will increase its capital spending to make room for new patients thanks to its market share and the impact of the health reforms.
CDC Releases First National Study Of Latino Health
It found that while the death rate among the nation’s fastest-growing ethnic group is 24 percent lower than for non-Hispanic whites, the Latino community is hit hard by certain diseases and conditions and has less access to health care.
Fourteen Cancer Centers To Use IBM’s Watson To Guide Treatment
Using the supercomputer to analyze the DNA of tumors could speed genetic profile results from weeks to minutes, officials said. Matching therapy to DNA has improved outcomes for some patients.
Community Health Centers Get $100M To Boost Care For Low-Income Patients
The funding, through the Affordable Care Act, will be used to build 164 clinics nationwide, including several in Florida, North Carolina and Washington state.
Fla. Gov. In DC To Push For Hospital Funds To Cover Uninsured
Gov. Rick Scott planned to meet today with members of the Obama administration to seek the extension of federal Medicaid funds to cover hospital care of the uninsured but said he would not change his opposition to expanding Medicaid. Meanwhile, Politico reports that the administration made it clear to Florida officials more than a year ago that it would extend that funding for one year but not beyond that.
Health Law Critics Say States Are Not Rechecking Eligibility Of New Medicaid Recipients
Fox News examines concerns that states are not adequately monitoring people who qualified for the health care program for low-income residents when it expanded under the health law. Other outlets also look at addiction coverage under the law, concerns about birth control coverage and fears about a future cost-control measure.