Latest KFF Health News Stories
After High Court Ruling, Abortion Advocates Target Potentially Vulnerable Laws In 8 States
There are laws on the books in Arizona, Florida, Michigan, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Virginia with measures similar to the ones struck down this week by the Supreme Court. The campaign will also go after Texas provisions that weren’t included in the ruling. Meanwhile judges in Indiana and Florida block abortion laws that were set to go into effect in those states. And in Missouri, officials say they won’t immediately cut off funds to Planned Parenthood.
Federal Medicaid Officials Give Tenn. Two-Month Waiver While Talks Continue On Funding
The sticking point is federal funding for hospitals that have high levels of uncompensated care. Federal officials want to discontinue that funding and say states can overcome that problem by expanding their Medicaid programs.
More Than 233,000 Louisiana Residents Gain Medicaid Coverage Today As Expansion Goes Into Effect
Louisiana is the first state in the Deep South to overcome Republican resistance and implement the health law’s Medicaid expansion for low-income residents. Meanwhile officials in Kentucky, which expanded Medicaid early on, say the new governor’s efforts to curb that program is likely to win federal approval.
Drop-Out Rate For Those Covered By Health Law Slightly Higher Than Predicted
The 13 percent of people who dropped coverage is more than predicted, since the Department of Health and Human Services had been actively trying to weed out problematic applications, but the attrition of nearly 1.6 million is in a “reasonable range.” Meanwhile, the health law’s risk-adjustment program is under fire.
NOTE TO READERS: KHN’s First Edition will not be published July 4. Look for it again in your inbox July 5. Here’s today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Longer Looks: A Dismantled Mental Health System; Abortion In Texas; Fighting Zika
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Outlets report on health news from New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Georgia, California, Texas, Ohio and Wyoming.
The Slide From Opioid Prescriptions To Heroin At Root Of Epidemic
Some turn to heroin after becoming addicted to prescription painkillers because it’s cheaper, in great supply and doesn’t require going to a doctor. Meanwhile, Illinois’ bill tackling the epidemic has been called “groundbreaking legislation” that can provide a blueprint to other states. And police in Columbus, Ohio, are now carrying naloxone.
Heart Disease No. 1 Cause Of Death For Americans
Cancer comes in at No. 2, and combined they cause nearly 50 percent of all deaths in the country. Also in the news, church attendance is linked to lower suicide rates, the struggle of helping aging parents while living abroad, a hospital tackles “super-utilizers,” children with concussions may not get proper treatment and eating canned foods can lead to increased toxin exposure.
Biden Vows To Cut Off Cancer Funding For Research Facilities That Don’t Share Trial Results
The vice president’s remarks came at the start of a daylong cancer summit at Howard University.
New Wave Of Abortion Restrictions To Hit The Books On Friday
Laws across the country are going into effect on July 1, including ones that dictate what can be done to fetuses’ remains, cut off funding for Planned Parenthood and ban a common second trimester abortion method. Meanwhile, a Republican candidate for the New Hampshire governor seat shifts course and votes in favor of funding Planned Parenthood.
17 Insurers, 200 Physician Groups To Join Medicare’s Cancer Project To Improve Care
The model will last five years and is designed to test ways to improve quality of care while lowering costs.
Opponents Of The Aetna-Humana Merger Urge DOJ To Take Action
In other news, Politico Pro reports that enrollment in private exchanges is lagging behind consultants’ expectations and in Georgia and California, an insurer faces lawsuits for sending ER reimbursements directly to patients. Meanwhile, The Associated Press details the high stakes and challenges involved in picking a health plan not associated with the workplace.
Lure Of Incentives Draws Pharma Into Previously Neglected Realm Of Antibiotic Drugs
Until the past few years, big pharmaceutical companies had largely given up on new antibiotics because development can cost billions of dollars yet deliver little profit. But the U.S. is now dumping millions into helping companies develop new drugs. In other news, drugmakers see a potential new vaccine market in expectant mothers, promising ovarian cancer drugs might not help all, the new and cheaper hepatitis C drug may not be a signal of dropping prices and more from the pharmaceutical industry.
High Court To Hear Discrimination Case Over State’s Responsibility To Deaf People
The case, out of Texas, centers around a requirement that new drivers take classes. A group of people who are deaf sued the state saying it should make sure the classes have interpreters. Advocates hope a court decision will help define when a state agency is responsible for discrimination against people with disabilities.
Panel Blasts Revised Proposal Protecting Medical Research Volunteers
The National Academies of Sciences says the Obama administration’s proposed overhaul to the so-called Common Rule is “marred by omissions.” The panel says a national commission should be created and it should start from scratch on a new plan.
Hand Sanitizer Efficacy And Safety Data Gaps Concern FDA
The Food and Drug Administration wants more information about repeated exposure and use by children and pregnant women, but the agency made clear it is not saying the product is harmful yet. It is just seeking information about ingredients.
Ky. Governor’s Plan To Revamp Medicaid Expansion Panned In Second Public Hearing
Gov. Matt Bevin has argued changes are needed so that people in Medicaid have “skin in the game,” but advocates again crowded into a public hearing, where one critic of the plan said, “it will scrape a pound of flesh from Kentuckians.” Meanwhile, Florida officials settle a suit brought by pediatricians and pediatric dentists over reimbursements.
Congressional Republicans Ask Administration To Reject Calif. Request On Immigrants’ Insurance
California is asking for a federal waiver so that the state’s online insurance marketplace can sell policies to people who are in the country without proper authority. Also in the news, Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., says after the presidential election, he would be happy to strike a deal with Democrats on the health law.
