Latest KFF Health News Stories
Officials Report U.S. Zika Infections In 234 Pregnant Women And 6 Cases Of Birth Defects
The government did not give much information about the six pregnancies, except to say three children had been born with abnormalities and three had died before birth.
Score A Win For A Local Gov’t In Fight To Get Drugmakers To Pay Cost Of Take-Back Program
Snohomish County, Wash., officials voted this week to require drug companies to run a program to help consumers get rid of unwanted and unused medicines. In Los Angeles County, however, the Board of Supervisors pushed off consideration of a similar ordinance until November. At that time, the officials also will review an existing disposal program for which the pharmaceutical industry does not pay the tab.
Upcoming Medicare Trustees’ Report Could Set Debate On Solvency, Need For Independent Panel
Modern Healthcare examines the issues for which experts will be watching in the Social Security and Medicare trustees’ report. Also, Politico looks at the Medicare drug fight, and KHN reports on a Senate bill that will end funding for a Medicare navigator program.
Though Spared From Deep Medicaid Cuts, Okla. Rural Hospitals Still Confront Financial Struggles
In other hospital news, an Envision executive said his company’s recently announced merger with AmSurg is fueled by a trend among facilities to have a single point of contact for outsourced physician staffing. Meanwhile, in New Hampshire, Exeter Hospital is arguing that a staffing agency should pay a share of settlement costs stemming from a hepatitis C outbreak scare that traced back to a troubled former technician. Also, Indian Health Service principal deputy director Mary Smith told The Associated Press that she believes legislation advanced in the Senate would aid her department’s efforts to fix issues at its hospitals across the country.
When It Comes To Health Costs, Price Transparency Tools Not The Panacea Some May Have Hoped
The power of big data to help shoppers make sophisticated health care decisions is being questioned. Meanwhile, rising health care costs have supported underlying inflation, and out-of-network bills are contributing to New Jersey’s health care costs that are among the highest in the nation.
California Regulator Slams Anthem-Cigna Deal, Calls On U.S. To Block Merger
California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones says the deal would likely result in higher costs for consumers and businesses, fewer choices for coverage and lower quality of care. His recommendation cannot derail the deal, but it could influence the U.S. Department of Justice’s decision.
Experts: FDA Has To Evaluate Already-Relaxed Blood Restrictions Before Lifting Ban Entirely
The Food and Drug Administration will need to determine whether the move to a one-year waiting period for gay and bisexual men affected the blood supply, both in terms of quantity and safety. And that could take years. Meanwhile, the doctors at Orlando Regional Medical Center talk about the aftermath of the massacre.
Portman On Failed Ohio Co-Op: HHS Owes Consumers A Solution To A Problem It Created
Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) wrote a letter to the administration asking what it plans to do for the residents who had coverage through the co-op. Meanwhile, what should you do in the face of next year’s spiking premiums? CBS has some suggestions.
Clinton Takes In More Pharma Donations Than All GOP Presidential Candidates Combined
The $240,000 Hillary Clinton’s campaign has received from employees of America’s 15 biggest pharmaceutical companies is also double that of her primary opponent, Bernie Sanders. Clinton has been vocal on the trail about addressing rising drug costs. Meanwhile, she’s released ads in Ohio that highlight her CHIP efforts while first lady.
High Court Avoids Straightforward False Claims Ruling But Sets Limits For Future Cases
In its 8-0 decision on Universal Health Services v. Escobar, the court tried to strike a balance between combating health care fraud and protecting companies from what could be viewed as limitless False Claims Act cases, experts say.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Longer Looks: Kicking The Opioid Habit; The IUD Revolution; And Assisted Suicide
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Outlets report on health news from New York, Minnesota, Texas, Ohio, California and Maryland.
Psychiatrists At N.H. Hospital Threaten To Leave En Masse Over Labor Dispute
The Executive Council has voted 5-0 to allow Dartmouth-Hitchcock to take over managing the state psychiatric hospital in Concord, but the majority of psychiatrists there refuse to work with Dartmouth-Hitchcock.
In Colorado, Drinking Supply For 80,000 Has Contamination Levels EPA Deems Dangerous
Elsewhere, New Hampshire will pay for blood tests for those exposed to chemicals, and outraged residents in New York demand answers from officials about slow reaction to PFOA contamination in a community water supply.
Aetna Sues Nebraska After Being Dropped From Consideration To Run Medicaid Program
Aetna, which already manages plans for about 105,000 state Medicaid recipients, was one of six companies vying for a $1 billion state contract to serve 230,000 Medicaid recipients. Also, Medicaid news on contraception coverage and payment issues in Florida.
As Opioid Crisis Rages On, California Officials Ramp Up Efforts To Curb Deadly Epidemic
Most recently, a state Assembly committee voted 16-0 to approve a bill that would require doctors to check California’s prescription drug database before prescribing certain addictive drugs. Elsewhere, a man who struggled with an opioid addiction shares his story with the surgeon general, and Tennessee officials are struggling to deal with the crisis in their state.
Personalized Therapies For Diabetics To Be Tested By Boston-Area Collaboration
The Harvard Stem Cell Institute, biotech Semma Therapeutics and two area hospitals are teaming up to create stem cell-based treatments for people with type 1 diabetes. In other diabetes news, a study finds that people with type 2 can have heart health benefits by losing weight, even if they eventually gain it back.
Zika Infections Late In A Pregnancy Don’t Lead To Deformities, Study Finds
A report co-authored by federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention researchers examined infections in Columbia and found that pregnant women who were infected in the third trimester did not have babies born with brain abnormalities. The researchers also reported that women who did not show signs of Zika infection could still have babies with birth defects.
