Latest KFF Health News Stories
Viewpoints: Obamacare’s Next Step; Contraception Mandate Challenge At The Supreme Court
A selection of opinions from around the country.
News outlets report on health issues in Florida, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Ohio and Connecticut.
After Brussels Bombing, Ohio Hospitals Say They’re Prepared For Mass Casualty Event
But they say cuts in federal funding could jeopardize future preparedness. Elsewhere, The News Service of Florida reports on hospital developments in the Sunshine state.
Cost Of Aid-In-Dying Medication Doubled To More Than $3,000 Last Year
“It’s just pharmaceutical company greed,” said David Grube, a family doctor in Oregon, who says he remembers back in 2009 when a lethal dose of the drug, Seconal, was less than $200.
Two More California Hospitals Face Ransom Requests From Hackers
The demand to unlock the hospital computer systems is reportedly similar to what happened last month at Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center in Los Angeles.
A Glass (Or Two) Of Wine A Day May Not Keep The Doctor Away
A new analysis of the best research studies on alcohol’s effects pokes holes in the logic that a certain amount can lead to better health, including that moderate drinkers tend to be healthier anyway. In other public health news, mindfulness can work better than pain medication in fighting lower back pain, and a new study shows that less than 3 percent of Americans are living a healthy lifestyle.
Jails Train Inmates On Naloxone, Aiming To Empower Overdose-Vulnerable Population To ‘Save A Life’
Although proponents acknowledge the “antidote” isn’t a permanent fix, they say providing it to soon-to-be released inmates could save the lives of a group of people that is particularly hard hit by overdose deaths. In other news, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that fentanyl is responsible for nearly 1,000 deaths in Ohio over a 17-month time frame and a hearing focuses on a section in Social Security Act that some say is standing in the way of addiction treatment.
Business Gears Up To Provide Services To Retired NFL Players With Dementia
One company plans to build 33 facilities over five years in or near N.F.L. cities across the country. That move comes as businesses look to meet the needs of aging population. Modern Healthcare looks at the move to build units specifically for dementia patients.
Seniors May Face Some Frustrations When Turning To Medicaid To Help Cover Care
USA Today examines some of the difficulties in having Medicaid pay for elder care. Also in Medicaid news, Arkansas’ governor lays out his plans for revamping the state’s Medicaid system.
Insurers’ Bargaining Muscle Gains Strength
As major insurers are set for some big mergers, Anthem files suit against the pharmacy-benefit-management company Express Scripts, a move that could bring insurers even more clout. In other insurance industry news, America’s Health Insurance Plans — the health insurance trade association — plans to figure out more efficient ways to update provider directories.
Jury Finds Merck Patents Valid In Dispute Over Gilead’s Hep C Drug
The jury hasn’t yet decided how much in damages Gilead will have to pay, but Merck has asked for $2 billion and a royalty of 10 percent of the sales going forward.
FDA To Institute Safety Warning Labels For Opioids
They will include messages about the serious risk of misuse, abuse, addiction, overdose and death from the medications, and the Food and Drug Administration expects to warn doctors that the immediate-release opioids should be limited to cases of severe pain where there are inadequate treatment alternatives.
N.H. Senate Begins Debate On Continuing Medicaid Expansion
State lawmakers are considering whether to keep the expansion of the health program for low-income residents that was implemented under the federal health law. Other outlets look at Medicaid expansion news in Montana and Kentucky.
Medicare To Target Diabetes With Proposed Plan To Pay For ‘Lifestyle Change Programs’
Sylvia Mathews Burwell will announce the proposal in which trained counselors would help adults with prediabetes make healthier decisions on the sixth anniversary of the health law that made the program possible.
On Anniversary Of Health Law, Contraception Mandate Goes In Front Of Supreme Court Again
If the court splits 4-4, following the death of Justice Antonin Scalia, it could leave a patchwork of confusion in place created by conflicting opinions in the lower courts.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Drug Cost Control Plans Based On Misunderstanding; Valeant In The Headlines Again
A selection of opinions from around the country.
News outlets report on health issues in Oregon, Kansas, California, Wisconsin, Colorado and Puerto Rico.
Mass. Community Hospitals Struggle With Low Payments
In other Massachusetts hospital news, a heated debate is taking place in the statehouse regarding how hospitals can press insurers to cover virtual visits. Elsewhere, Marketplace reports that hospital mergers within state borders may drive up treatment prices and the CEO of Chicago’s Presence has diagnosed the hospital chain’s financial ills. In Dallas, Parkland Hospital is experimenting with how patients with complex conditions can care for themselves at home.
Ala. Governor Threatens Budget Veto Over Medicaid Appropriation
Gov. Robert Bentley says the budget, which lawmakers are expected to approve this weekend, falls far short of the amount necessary for the program. Meanwhile, Bentley told health workers at a Monroe Country hospital that a lottery might be the most realistic option to raise adequate funding for the health insurance program for low-income people. And, in Mississippi, the Senate approved a bill calling for regular audits of the state’s electronic records system and program beneficiaries.
