Latest KFF Health News Stories
Study: Medicaid Expansion Could Cut Down On Uncompensated Care Rates In Hospitals
Researchers found that the number of uninsured patients seeking care at hospitals dropped after Michigan expanded its Medicaid program. This means hospitals are actually getting paid for the services they provide.
Administration To Use IRS In Efforts To Enroll Healthy But Uninsured Millennials
Through tax records, HHS will find people ages 18 to 34 who had to pay the individual mandate fee, and reach out to them directly to try to woo a generally healthier population that could balance out the exchanges.
Long-Awaited GOP ‘Replace’ Health Plan Offers Broad Outline, Few Financial Details
Many of the ideas presented by Speaker Paul Ryan and other Republicans are familiar — such as health savings accounts, high-risk pools and selling insurance across state lines. They would also raise the Medicare eligibility age to 67. However, the plan left a lot of questions about costs unanswered.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Study: ‘It’s Not So Simple That Alcohol Is Good For You Or Alcohol Is Bad For You’
Researchers find a link between alcohol consumption and an elevated risk for a heart rhythm disorder, but the analysis also indicates that a lot depends on the individual. In other public health news, a new study on fat could help doctors prescribe the best diet for their patients and KHN looks at the uncertainty surrounding the health effects of donating eggs.
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
In Comments On Ark. Medicaid Revisions, Groups Object To Plan To End Retroactive Coverage
The change would leave poor residents with more medical debt and make it harder for doctors to collect for services, according to the responses, which will be forwarded to federal officials who will have to approve any changes to the state’s Medicaid program. Also in the news, Indiana and federal officials are tussling over reviewing that state’s Medicaid system, and Louisiana ends one group’s work with Medicaid.
Fort Worth’s Regency Hospital To Close; Allina Nurses Strike In The Twin Cities
Also, SSM Health plans to build a new academic medical center to replace St. Louis University Hospital. In other hospital-related news, Marketplace explores why it is so hard for hospitals to share patient data and The New York Times reports on a Boston hospital’s conflicting ideas about growth.
Advocacy Group Releases Report Ranking States On Children’s Well-Being
Media outlets cover this year’s Kids Count Data Book’s data on California, Virginia, Texas, Louisiana, New Hampshire and Iowa.
In Search For PTSD Treatment, Gene Identified That May Influence Fear Factor
Researchers are looking for genes to target that influence people’s reactions to stress and anxiety. In other news related to veterans’ health, employees at a Houston VA facility have been understating appointment waiting times.
Baby Born With Brain Outside Skull Had Little Chance Of Survival — But No One Told Him That
Mom Sierra Yoder thought she would meet her son and then have to bury him. Now, months later, Bentley Yoder continues to defy the odds.
N.C., Texas Increase Access To Overdose Antidote Naloxone
People in both states will now be able to buy the life-saving drug in pharmacies without a doctor’s prescription. Also in the news, an Ohio man’s last conversation with his father before he overdosed on fentanyl was about how he wanted to get clean.
Federal Officials Approve Testing Zika Vaccine In Humans
The early tests, in 40 adults, will look at safety concerns first. In other developments, health officials from around the world examined the Zika threat at a U.N. meeting, U.S. officials seek to ensure the safety of blood donations and a look at the virus’ effect on children.
Amid Changing Health Care Landscape, Scope Of Practice Battle Lines Begin To Fade
Politico convened a working group of leading doctors, nurses and other health care providers to look at changes dealing with who can practice what kind of medicine, in what settings.
Fewer Americans Are Having Trouble Paying Health Care Bills, Gallup Finds
Meanwhile, KHN reports on a study detailing trends in cost and the use of care among people with diabetes.
Aetna-Humana Deal Gets Green Light From California’s Managed-Care Regulator
Department of Managed Health Care Director Shelley Rouillard approved Aetna’s $37 billion proposed merger with Humana, despite her past criticism of Aetna’s repeated rate hikes. California’s other insurance regulator, Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones, hasn’t yet announced his decision. The decisions by California’s officials could be influential in how federal officials view the merger.
With Patent Ruling, Supreme Court Deals Defeat To Brand-Name Drugmakers
At issue in the case was a new process for challenging patents created by Congress in 2011, which allowed patent challenges to be heard by an appeals board within the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Drugmakers say the rule “breeds uncertainty and stifles innovation” in American medicine.
Buying A Doctor’s Loyalty To A Drug Can Be As Cheap As $20 Meal
A new study finds that a free meal is all it takes for drugmakers to influence doctors’ prescribing habits.
Senate Votes Down Gun Measures, Including Mental Health Proposal
A measure by Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, would have encouraged states to submit mental-health records to the nation’s background-check system. In other news, senators blast the Food and Drug Administration for its policy on gay men donating blood and the Orlando shooting has revived a debate about how first responders should treat victims at the scene of a traumatic event.
Advocates Continue To Tout Single-Payer To DNC: We Can’t Pretend ACA Solved The Problem
At a hearing held by the Democratic Platform Drafting Committee, activists say a focus needs to be placed on universal health care ahead of the November election. In other news, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., focuses on the health law in his tough reelection campaign.
