Latest KFF Health News Stories
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Forcing Competition Among Insurers; CMS And The ‘Most’ Attractive ACO Model
A selection of opinions from around the country.
Perspectives About The Congressional Response To Zika; Thoughts On The Virus’s Risks
Editorial writers take in-depth looks at the current state of knowledge about the Zika virus as well as the congressional reaction to it.
Research Roundup: Medicare’s Star Ratings; ACO Performance, Texas Medicaid
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
News outlets report on health issues in Florida, Ohio, Georgia, Michigan, Missouri, Minnesota, California, North Carolina and Colorado.
West Virginia Medical Centers Agree To Settle Antitrust Lawsuit
In related news, federal antitrust regulators are taking a hard look at the cost impact a proposed Chicago-area merger between two hospitals could have on consumers.
Ohio, Mass. Officials To Offer Changes In Medicaid Programs
Ohio will soon release details of a plan to require some Medicaid enrollees to make payments toward the cost of their insurance, and Massachusetts is finishing up a draft of an overhaul that will change how doctors and hospitals are paid.
Doctors, Breaking With AMA, Form Group To Support Legalization Of Marijuana
Doctors for Cannabis Regulation says the prohibition and criminalization of marijuana use does more harm to the public than good. In other news, researchers wonder if parasites can actually help treat diseases.
The Opioid Crisis: For People Who Don’t Understand, She’s ‘Just Another Statistic’
The mother of a woman who died of a heroin overdose spoke out about her daughter’s struggle in hopes of reaching just one other family who was going through what she had. She ended up touching thousands.
Lawyers: Jury Exceeded Its Authority In Indictment Of Man Behind Planned Parenthood Videos
David Daleiden’s attorneys have filed court documents to try to get the indictment dismissed. They also argue that the district attorney on the case colluded with Planned Parenthood.
Couple Sues Sperm Bank Saying It Misrepresented Donor Touted As Healthy PhD Student
The couple thought they were getting sperm from a musically gifted, well-educated donor, but later found out he was actually a man who suffered from schizophrenia and narcissistic personality disorder, had no university degrees and had been charged with residential burglary.
Nearly Half Of Patient-Doctor Interactions Missing From Electronic Records: Study
A new report tries to quantify the problem of inaccurate health records and finds that incompatible electronic record software can miss checkups, emergency room stays and hospital admissions. In other information technology news, a doctor creates an online tool to help patients with end-of-life wishes, while an artist uses murals to channel her anger with the digital health system.
Surgeons’ Group Says Doctors Should Inform Patients When They Double Book
In its first guidelines for managing simultaneous operations, the American College of Surgeons says “the patient needs to be informed” that the doctor will be in more than one operating room. News outlets also look at variety of other developments that affect patients.
New Hep C Tests Could Be Pivotal In Lowering Cost Of Expensive Treatment
The test allows doctors to find the patient’s specific type of hepatitis C, which can allow them to pick the most effective and, perhaps, less costly treatment. Meanwhile, New York’s Attorney General Eric Schneiderman is suing an insurance provider, saying it denied coverage for hep C patients until they showed advance signs of the disease.
Oncologist May Lose License After Allegedly Giving Cancer Patients Cheap, Imported Drugs
Ann Kinnealey, an Illinois oncologist, is accused of purchasing nearly $1 million worth of misbranded drugs over four years. In other news, a study finds that chemotherapy costs are higher when a patient’s oncologist works for a health care system.
Arkansas Senate Fails To Pass Bill To Fund Medicaid Expansion
The issue is not yet decided, however, because House members are putting pressure on the Senate and the governor has threatened a veto of the state Medicaid bill if it doesn’t include funding for the expansion program.
Taxes For Employer Health Plans Getting Renewed Attention On The Hill
House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady, R-Texas, raises concerns about the health law’s Cadillac tax at a hearing Thursday. Also, insurers’ are complaining about problems they encounter in the health insurance marketplaces.
In Effort To Prevent Devastating Birth Defects, FDA Will Allow Folic Acid To Be Added To Corn Flour
Critics say the decision was long overdue.
CDC Confirms Zika Can Be Transmitted Through Anal Sex
Officials do not know how long the virus can live in semen. In other Zika news, experts are divided over what to tell women looking to get pregnant in affected areas, the White House gets an unlikely champion in its funding efforts and infections are confirmed in Florida and Ohio.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
