Latest KFF Health News Stories
Rush For Louisiana’s Medicaid Expansion Signals Broad Health Care Needs
The outpouring of sign-ups after the state expanded its Medicaid program in June have surprised even the staunchest supporters. Experts say the flood of new, low-income patients shows just how great the need is in Republican-run states that have fought the health law.
Humana Scales Back From Obamacare Exchanges
The health insurer announced it will pull out of nearly 1,200 counties around the country. Meanwhile, despite this news, the company announced better-than-expected earnings.
Pentagon Confirms 33 Zika Infections Among Active-Duty Service Members Since January
The number includes one pregnant woman. Meanwhile, New York’s attorney general cracks down on Zika scams, chastising anyone who is exploiting people’s fears “just to make a buck.”
Zika Vaccine Now Being Tested On Humans
Officials previously thought it would be at this stage in September, but researchers beat that prediction.
Funds For Zika Could Be Depleted By End Of August, Administration Warns
Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell sends a letter to lawmakers detailing how the money has been spent, while calling for additional resources. Meanwhile, Republicans and Democrats continue to point fingers over who is to blame for the funding impasse.
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Viewpoints: Zika Infections Spreading In Florida, More Criticism About Congress’ Response
Opinion writers share their thoughts on the Zika threat and Congress’s lack of action regarding emergency funding to support a public health response.
Thoughts On States’ Medicaid Expansion Fits And Starts; Aetna Breaks Up With Obamacare
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Perspectives On Drug Costs: Peeling Back The PBM Curtain
Editorials offer their takes on drug-cost issues.
Obscure But Vital Source Of Cash May Be Sword Valeant Dies On
News outlets report on the pharmaceutical drug industry.
State Highlights: Free-Standing ERs Boom In Texas; Maryland’s Mental Health ‘Mistake’
Outlets report on health news from Texas, Maryland, Colorado, Hawaii, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts and California.
Hospital Ratings Released By U.S. News & World Report
Media outlets from several states report on the ratings, and Stat looks at why they should be taken with a grain of salt.
Ohio To Pay Primary Care Doctors A Bonus To Keep Medicaid Patients Healthy
Under the new program, primary care doctors will receive an extra $4 on average for each Medicaid patient every month to help defray some of the costs of coordinating health care and extending their office hours. News outlets also report on Medicaid developments in Kentucky, Indiana, Connecticut and North Carolina.
Idaho Publishes List Of Places Women Can Receive Free Ultrasounds
Most of the facilities on the list are crisis pregnancy centers, which discourage women from getting abortions and often are run by religiously affiliated groups. In other news, Planned Parenthood is awarded legal fees after winning a court battle against Missouri.
Fla.’s Mental Health Agencies Brace For Long-Lasting Fallout From Pulse Shooting
“The biggest volume of calls is going to come at about three months,” psychologist Deborah Beidel says. “That’s when people figure out they’re not getting better.”
Defendants Judged ‘Guilty But Mentally Ill’ Still Face Harsh Legal Penalties
NPR’s Shots continues its report on the use of the “not guilty by reason of insanity” plea.
Seniors Shy Away From Using Internet To Diagnose Health Problems
A new report shows that less than 20 percent of the age group turn to the internet when they have a question about their ailments or health. In other news, the technology behind reading functional MRIs has had a long, bumpy road.
Medicare Disappoints Hospitals With Large Cut To Recoup Past Overpayments
In a rule released Tuesday, federal officials said they are going forward with the 1.5 percent cut to hospital reimbursement that they proposed earlier. It is expected to recoup $11 billion in past overpayments. Hospitals had lobbied to keep the cut at 0.8 percent. Also in the rule were the new penalties for hospitals that readmit too many Medicare patients.
CHIP: The Silver Lining To One Of Clinton’s Most High-Profile Failures
The Children’s Health Insurance Program, which rose out of Hillary Clinton’s attempts at moving universal health care in the 1990s, has proven to be even more beneficial to the country’s economic growth than originally thought.
Suitors Sniff Around Biogen In Sign Of Pharma’s Hunger For New Growth Sources
The pipeline for pharmaceutical companies has been depleted for years, and there’s a desire in the industry for potential takeover deals. In other news, Pfizer’s profits dropped by 23 percent in its latest quarter, an antidepressant drug draws fire and an executive for GlaxoSmithKline speaks with Stat about the company’s new venture with Alphabet.
