Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
First Edition: April 3, 2015
Kaiser Health News: Consumers Contributing Less To Health Savings Accounts, Study Finds
Even though consumers are digging deeper to cover rising out-of-pocket medical costs, they’re contributing less to health savings accounts that could help take the sting out of their expenses, according to a new study. Between 2011 and 2014, the percentage of people who said they contributed nothing to their health savings accounts (HSAs) more than doubled, to 23 percent, according to a survey by the Employee Benefit Research Institute. Meanwhile, the percentage who said they contributed $1,500 or more dropped to 30 percent from 44 percent. (Andrews, 4/3)
The Associated Press: Medical Expenses: Finding Your Way With A Patient Navigator
In today's health care system, consumers are increasingly on their own when these complex -- and often costly -- medical problems arise. Primary care doctors once helped patients manage such situations, but many physicians now have 15 minutes or less for each appointment. It's in this high-pressure environment that a new industry of patient advocates -- sometimes called patient navigators -- has emerged, offering to help guide patients through knotty health situations. (Perrone, 4/2)
The Washington Post: Feds: Senate Has Two Days To Act, Or The Docs Get It
House members spent a lot of time last week congratulating themselves for passing a permanent "doc fix" -- that is, an end to the yearly ritual of readjusting the rates Medicare pays to health care providers in order to avoid drastic cuts that could cause them to stop treating elderly patients. One problem: The "doc fix" isn't actually fixed. While the House overwhelmingly passed the bipartisan deal that permanently changed the formula ahead of the April 1 deadline while also reauthorizing key health programs supported by Democrats, the Senate did not act on the House bill after completing budget votes in the wee hours Friday morning -- postponing action until senators return from recess on April 13. (DeBonis, 4/2)
The Wall Street Journal: More Health Insurers Take Action To Curb Morcellator Use
A growing number of U.S. health insurers are moving to restrict use of the laparoscopic power morcellator, further sidelining the once-popular medical device after federal regulators warned it shouldn’t be used on most women. (Kamp, 4/2)
The Hill: State Lawmakers Filed Hundreds Of Anti-Abortion Bills So Far In 2015, Study Finds
More than 300 anti-abortion bills have been filed in state legislatures in the first quarter of 2015, a new study has found. Anti-abortion bills have been filed in a total of 43 states so far this year, according to research released Thursday by the reproductive health nonprofit Guttmacher Institute. (Ferris, 4/2)
The Associated Press: Philadelphia Airport Workers Strike Over Wages And Benefits
They want their employers, airline contractors Prospect Airport Services and PrimeFlight Airline Services, to comply with a living wage law passed last year that requires pay of $10.88 or more per hour at city-owned facilities. They're also calling for affordable health benefits and sick days. (4/2)
The Associated Press: Ex-Doctor Pleads Guilty To Federal Charges In Hepatitis Case
A former prominent Las Vegas doctor already serving 18 years to life in state prison pleaded guilty Thursday to federal health care fraud and conspiracy charges in a hepatitis C outbreak that was called one of the largest ever in the U.S. The plea by Dipak Kantilal Desai, 65, avoided a federal trial for the former member of the Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners and one-time owner of busy endoscopy and colonoscopy clinics. (4/2)
