Latest KFF Health News Stories
Copycat Biosimilar Drugs As Effective As Expensive Biologics, Study Finds
“This is the $1 billion question — are the biosimilar versions comparable? And we found, in just about every outcome examined, that the biosimilars fare very well,” one of the study’s authors says.
Medicare Extends Ban On New Home Health Agencies, Ambulance Companies In Some States
The temporary measure is part of an anti-fraud effort. Also, Medicare officials announce payment rates for nursing homes, and a Houston hospital wins coveted five stars from Medicare.
Hotel-Inspired Amenities Let Hospitals Get A Leg Up On Competitors
While increased services can improve health outcomes and cut down on the spread of infection, many hospitals are also turning toward features such as room service and massages as a way of attracting patients. Meanwhile, some hospitals start to lift strict limits on ICU visits.
Theranos CEO Focuses On Future, Reveals Plans For Blood-Testing ‘MiniLab’
Elizabeth Holmes spoke about the scandal-plagued company’s technology on Monday at the annual meeting of the American Association for Clinical Chemistry.
Two Co-Ops — N.M. Health Connections, Minuteman Health of Mass. — Sue Feds Over Health Law Formula
The two health insurance cooperatives have filed lawsuits over the health law’s risk-adjustment formula, which was billed as a way to balance the marketplace by having insurers compensate each other for providing coverage to sicker customers. This suit is the second one of its kind. Also, news outlets report on premium costs for Obamacare plans in Illinois and New Hampshire.
Obama Touts Progress Made On VA Health Care, But Says More Work Is Needed
President Barack Obama, in his final major address to a gathering of veterans before he leaves office in January, talks about the doctors hired to alleviate wait times, how benefits are available to more than 2 million veterans who didn’t have them before and other changes.
As Miami’s Zika Cases Spike, CDC Issues Unprecedented Travel Warning For Pregnant Women
Following the confirmation of 10 new Zika cases, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has advised pregnant women to stay away from a 1-square-mile area in northern Miami. The agency also recommends that all prenatal screenings should include questions about travel to Zika-infected areas.
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Latest On Zika: CDC Issues Miami Travel Advisory, Screening Guidance For Pregnant Women
As 10 new cases of Zika are confirmed, the CDC advises pregnant women to stay away from a 1-square-mile area in northern Miami. The agency also recommends that all prenatal screenings should include questions about travel to Zika-infected areas.
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Public Health Perspectives: Zika Gives Congress A Wake-Up Call
Opinion writers offer thoughts on Florida’s locally transmitted Zika cases, HIV prevention, pre-diabetes and the ALS bucket challenge.
Debating Medicaid Expansion In Ky., Texas; Examining Tenn.’s Health Care Marketplaces
Newspaper editorial pages in Kentucky, Tennessee and Texas include opinions on Medicaid expansion and how their states are being impacted by the health law.
Outlets report on health news from Colorado, Massachusetts, Texas, Iowa, New Hampshire, Ohio, Minnesota and California.
Georgia Official Rejects Insurers’ Challenge On Medicaid Contracts
Last year, state officials chose four vendors for the Medicaid program, but other companies appealed the selection. The dispute has set the start of the contract back a year. Also, outlets report on Medicaid news in Minnesota, Alabama, California, Arizona and Pennsylvania.
Beyond Wearables: How All Your Daily Activity May Become Usable Health Data
In addition to health-specific apps, there is a range of ways for companies to gather information related to health care from a person’s daily life. And the methods are rarely governed by HIPAA. Meanwhile the FDA just confirmed the agency won’t be regulating fitness trackers and certain mobile health apps.
Abortion Rights Groups ‘Deeply’ Disappointed After Kaine Clarifies Stance On Hyde
Although Hillary Clinton’s running mate Tim Kaine says he is fully committed to her policy agenda, he did renew his personal support for the Hyde Amendment, which bars taxpayer funding for abortions.
GSK, Alphabet Plan To Tap Into Body’s Electrical Signals To Treat Illnesses
The partnership is a seven-year, $700-million venture that aims to target disruptions to the biological processes that are controlled by signals transmitted from the nervous system to the body’s organs.
Experts Stumped Why Meningitis Outbreaks Disproportionately Affect Gay Men
California’s outbreak is just the latest that has struck gay and bisexual men at high rates. In other public health news, a study finds that physical therapy may be an effective alternative to knee surgery, Olympic teams sign sponsorship deals with makers of dietary supplements, a look at how prisons are contributing to global epidemics and more stories.
Chaos Reigns, Cases Spike As Puerto Rico’s War On Zika Crumbles
Thousands of people — including up to 50 pregnant women — are being infected every day. But, health officials are feuding with each other, the governor’s special adviser on Zika has quit in disgust and residents aren’t protecting themselves because they think the threat is exaggerated.
For All Its Promise, Immunotherapy Has Power To Deliver Crushing Disappointment
Doctors are looking at immunotherapy — which uses a patient’s immune system to fight off cancer — as something akin to sending a man to the moon. But relapses plague a majority of the patients who turn to it in desperation. The New York Times offers patients’ stories and more information about the treatment.
