Morning Breakouts

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Insurance Fraud Ring Captures Vulnerable Patients Seeking Addiction Treatment

Morning Briefing

Stat and the Boston Globe investigate brokers that send patients with premium insurance benefits to treatment centers for expensive care. In other news on the opioid crisis, Buffalo, N.Y., pilots the nation’s first drug intervention court. And an Ohio sheriff says his officers will never carry the overdose antidote. News on the national epidemic is also reported from Oregon, Virginia, Minnesota, Maryland and Ohio.

Releasing Patients From The Hospital Is A Judgment Call That Can Go Wrong

Morning Briefing

“Most of the time, it’s very complicated. You’re trying to make an assessment: Is the person going to a home? Is there family? Are they reliable? What was the specific reason they were brought in? Is that likely to occur again?” said Bea Grause, president of the New York statewide hospital and health system association HANYS. Meanwhile what happens when a patient wants to leave but the hospital says no?

Will Republicans Switch From An Obamacare Repeal To An Obamacare Bailout?

Morning Briefing

With the Better Care Reconciliation Act’s prospects appearing dim, are there next steps? In other news on repeal efforts: what Americans want for health care is murky; a look at how the proposed bill would affect you; subsidies to help pay for coverage; the number of uninsured in the U.S. is climbing; and more.

Senator From Deep Red West Virginia Promises To Be Vote That Torpedoes Plan If Need Be

Morning Briefing

Sen. Shelley Moore Capito’s state of West Virginia relies heavily on Medicaid funding and has been hard hit by the opioid epidemic, both issues which would face threats from the Republican health care bill. Other senators over the past few days have spoken about the proposed bill as well. Media outlets offer a look at where they stand.

S.C. Hospital To Pay Largest-Ever Settlement For Improper Treatment Of Emergency Psychiatric Patients

Morning Briefing

AnMed Health, a not-for-profit hospital system, agrees to pay $1.3 million to settle a federal lawsuit charging that the facility did not provide required treatment for patients with unstable psychiatric conditions in its emergency departments. Elsewhere, hospital news from Maryland, Texas and New York makes headlines.