Latest KFF Health News Stories
Medicare’s Plan For Changes In Drug Payments Roils Diverse Interests
But it also sets up a controversy about how to lower health care costs.
Business Groups Worry Transparency On Workplace Injuries Could Be Exploited
A new federal regulation requiring that workplace injuries and illnesses must be made available for a public database has drawn cheers from unions and concern from business groups.
Wellmark Plans Steep Premium Increases For Individual Market Customers In Iowa
The insurer’s plans don’t affect people who get insurance through their workplace, but it sells about three-quarters of the individual policies on Iowa’s health insurance exchange. Also, an investigation in Connecticut finds large numbers of insurance denials for mental health care services.
White House Launches Microbes Initiative To Ultimately Improve Human Health, Longevity
The National Microbiome Initiative will bring together scientists to study “the microbial engine of the earth,” which plays a part in everything from obesity to asthma and intestinal infections.
Trump’s Plan For VA Health Care Hints At Privatization, Shift Toward Insurance Provider Status
Donald Trump’s campaign has released guidelines for improving the Department of Veterans Affairs’ health care system, and while it is short on details it does signal a move toward making the system more like Medicare instead of an integrated hospital network.
After Movement On Opioids In House, Congress Turns Attention Toward Compromise Bill
The House this week voted on several bills to combat the raging epidemic, though the measures were criticized for lacking funding. The Senate passed its own legislation in March, and now lawmakers will work to send a plan to the president before leaving for summer recess.
Senators Break Deadlock Over Zika Funding, Set Vote For Next Week
The $1.1 billion negotiators have settled on is less than the $1.9 billion President Barack Obama proposed, but the administration voiced support for the action.
GOP’s Obamacare Replacement Would Include Changes To Medicare, Taxes On Insurance
The House Republican task force drawing up plans for an alternative health plan offers some details at a closed-door meeting on Capitol Hill.
House Republicans Win Lawsuit Over Obamacare Subsidies
A federal judge rules in favor of lawmakers who sued the Obama administration over funding for the Affordable Care Act’s cost-sharing subsidy program. Anticipating an appeal, the judge stayed the order. The ruling, if it stands, could be a significant financial setback for the millions of low-income Americans who benefit from the cost-sharing subsidies.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
House Republicans Win Lawsuit Over Obamacare Cost-Sharing Payments
A federal judge rules in favor of lawmakers who sued the Obama administration over funding for the Affordable Care Act’s cost-sharing subsidy program. Anticipating an appeal, the judge stayed the order.
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Longer Looks: The Lazarus Effect; Zenefits; Hospitals As Prisons; and John Oliver
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Outlets report on health news in Ohio, Missouri, Florida, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Kansas, New Hampshire and Iowa.
N.M. Home Health Visits Could Be Eligible For Federal Medicaid Funds, Expert Says
The state has expanded the program in recent years to improve children’s health, but New Mexico’s current budget crunch leaves its future in question. In Medicaid news in other states, Connecticut’s budget would bring back radiology cuts and Louisiana lawmakers block the new Medicaid-financed centers aimed at helping “medically fragile” kids.
FTC To Continue Efforts To Block Merger Between Two Pennsylvania Health Systems
Also, in Philadelphia, the city government and the Children’s Hospital are joining forces to improve care for kids; and three North Carolina nonprofit hospitals ranked among the nation’s 10 most profitable hospital systems.
Eliminating Tuberculosis Remains Elusive Goal As Number Of Cases Inches Up
News outlets also report on other public health developments related to a jarring no-smoking ad campaign, Alzheimer’s indicators, sleep-apnea device usage in hospitals and efforts to preserve school recess.
Zika Threat Will Spur Urgent Contraception, Abortion Debates
Meanwhile, the federal response to the virus makes headlines as the Senate considers funding options and Florida Gov. Rick Scott pushes government officials to implement a plan to fight the spread of Zika.
Ky. Judge Unseals Secret Documents About Purdue’s OxyContin Marketing
STAT filed a motion to bring to light the documents that include the deposition of Dr. Richard Sackler, a former president of OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma. Purdue plans to appeal the ruling.
In Cradle Of Opioid Epidemic, A Clinic Strives To Ease Burden Of Pain Management For Its Doctors
In West Virginia, primary care physicians are being bombarded with pain medication requests — often from patients they grew up with whom they were reluctant to turn down. So, in an attempt to let its doctors and nurses focus on conditions they are more comfortable treating, the clinic tries a new approach: hiring an anesthesiologist to handle all pain management cases.
