Latest KFF Health News Stories
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Rising Premiums; Paying More After Mergers; VA Nurses
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Outlets report on health news from Connecticut, Maine, Arizona, Minnesota, California, Texas, Ohio and Florida.
Federal Judge Orders Medicaid To Pay For Hepatitis C Drugs In Wash. Ahead Of Trial
The drugs can run nearly $100,000 for the full treatment, and Washington — as well as other states — have held off covering them until patients are quite sick. Washington officials say covering all cases of hepatitis C could triple the state’s Medicaid pharmacy bill.
Organ Transplants Between HIV-Positive Patients Now Legal In California
Gov. Jerry Brown signed the measure lifting a ban on the procedure after state legislators fast-tracked legislation. The rush was prompted in part by the case of a man with HIV who needed to receive part of his HIV-positive husband’s liver before the surgery becomes too dangerous.
California Looks For Aid-In-Dying Lessons From Experiences Of Oregon, Washington
As the June 9 start of California’s controversial law approaches, state officials can look to annual reports by public health departments in Oregon and Washington, where similar measures are already in effect.
When Responding To Negative Yelp Reviews, Some Doctors Reveal Patients’ Private Medical Information
ProPublica has been granted access to Yelp’s trove of public reviews and finds that some providers may be violating the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act when they refute negative reviews.
Death Threats And Subpoenas: How Congress’ Fetal Research Probe Turned A Tiny Company Upside Down
StemExpress is a small biomedical company based in California, and its work with fetal tissue has catapulted it into the national spotlight. Meanwhile, the special congressional panel is drawing criticism from Democrats, who say Republican lawmakers are abusing their authority and putting lives at risk.
Critics Slam Gilead For Halting Development Of Less-Toxic HIV Treatment
They say the company made the decision so that it could continue to reap patent-protected profits from its earlier version. Gilead denies the claims.
Justice Lawyers’ Quest Convinces 500 Hospitals To Settle Claims On Cardiac Implants
The eight-year effort centered on allegations of false claims submitted to Medicare for inappropriately implanting the cardioverter defibrillators. Also in the news: a look at for-profit hospitals, an Indian Health Service hospital in South Dakota comes up with a plan for fixes and Louisiana safety net hospitals may take a budget cut, a new study on critical access hospitals and controversy about a Nashville hospital.
Expert: Relax, There’s No Need To Panic Over Antibiotic-Resistant Superbug
Yohei Doi, an infectious disease doctor at the University of Pittsburgh, says that although it’s good to be careful, it’s not time to worry yet. In other public health news, cancer deaths saw an uptick during the recession, hidden heart disease is a deadly threat for women, positive thinking over aging has an effect on life expectancy and an organization aims to better protect kids’ chests when they play sports.
Senator Calls On Feds To Launch Probe Of Purdue Pharma Over OxyContin Allegations
The Los Angeles Times reported that the manufacturer knew the painkiller didn’t last for 12 hours for some people, which could lead to addiction. In response, Sen. Edward J. Markey is asking the Department of Justice and the FDA to investigate. In other news, Prince’s death puts buprenorphine in the spotlight, the accuracy of tests predicting opioid addiction is questioned, New York lawmakers consider drug prescription limits, and naloxone will be available in Florida CVS stores without a prescription.
WHO: There’s No Public Health Justification For Adjusting Olympics Timing, Location
About 150 health experts called on the organization to consider postponing or moving the Rio Summer Olympics because of the virus to no avail. Meanwhile, Congress has left for recess without approving funding to fight Zika, and local health departments are scrambling.
Trump Promises Vets Private Doctor Option In Face Of VA Delays
The presumptive Republican presidential nominee spoke at the Rolling Thunder rally in Washington, D.C., over the Memorial Day weekend. Meanwhile, The Hill looks ahead to the potential impact anticipated Obamacare premium increases could have on Hillary Clinton’s campaign.
ACOs Will Face ‘Uphill Battle’ In Qualifying For Exemptions After IRS Ruling
The agency recently denied a tax exemption sought by an accountable care organization that coordinates care for people with commercial insurance, saying the network negotiated agreements with insurers on behalf of doctors — and that is not a charitable activity. The decision could impact ACOs that do not coordinate care for Medicare beneficiaries. Meanwhile, The New York Times offers a look at a clandestine meeting that took place with IRS officials over the Affordable Care Act.
VA Considers Expanding Scope Of Practice Of Nurses In Effort To Address Wait Times
The plan came under immediate fire from some of the country’s largest doctors’ groups. Meanwhile, a Senate investigation raises questions about the inspector general’s ability to police veterans’ health care access.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Health Insurers Find Ways To Limit Patient Choice; The VA Empowers Nurses
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Research Roundup: Preventive Care; End-Of-Life Discussions; Wellness Programs
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Outlets report on health news from Florida, Iowa, New York, California, New Hampshire, Arizona, Missouri, Tennessee, Illinois and Ohio.
