Latest KFF Health News Stories
Wellness Firms Mining Data On Workers’ Habits To Help Stem Health Care Costs
The theory is that companies can determine their employees’ health care needs from the information, like that an employee who spends money at a bike shop is more likely to be in good health than someone who spends on videogames. In other news, misuse of ADHD drugs are driving up ER visits; transgender patients have unique challenges when seeking care at hospitals; and Congress has lifted a ban on funding for needle exchanges.
FDA Revises Donation Guidelines To Limit Blood Supply Exposure To Zika
With no Food and Drug Administration-licensed test to screen blood donations for Zika, waiting periods are recommended for at-risk people. In other outbreak news, WHO seeks $56 million to coordinate the international response and the CDC teams up with Brazil on a birth defect study. Meanwhile, experts address Zika conspiracy theories.
Task Force Concludes There’s Insufficient Evidence For Across-The-Board Autism Screening
Although the panel’s decision is sure to draw strong reactions from autism advocates, one of the members says it’s not a recommendation against screening, but a call for more research surrounding treatment.
Gov. Christie’s Budget Plan Calls For Steep Cuts To State Hospitals’ Charity Care
The move reflects a drop in cases involving uninsured or underinsured patients, due to New Jersey’s Medicaid expansion under the health law. But critics say the proposed funding is not enough to cover remaining patients. In other hospital news, Community Health Systems’ weak earnings report drives shares lower.
CMS, AHIP Announce Quality Measurements For Physicians
The federal officials and insurers involved say the measures will help simplify and standardize the health industry in terms of rating the quality of care patients are receiving.
Faced With Competition From Generics, Pharma Companies Shift Tack To Marketing Pricey Drugs
The companies are moving from airing ads touting their products that help the broader public to ones that target rarer conditions. In other news, a Houston-based foundation directs millions towards reining in drug prices.
Pfizer To Pay $784.6M Over Medicaid Overcharging Allegations
The agreement settles a lawsuit filed by the Justice Department alleging that the pharmaceutical company’s Wyeth unit did not offer Medicaid the same discounts it had given to hospitals for its heartburn drug Protonix.
Democrats: Subpoenas In Fetal Tissue Investigation Pose ‘Grave Risk’ To Researchers’ Safety
The House lawmakers say Republicans are trying to create a database of people involved with fetal tissue research that could endanger abortion doctors and patients. In other Capitol Hill news, House lawyers update their lawsuit against the Affordable Care Act following the president’s budget release.
Law Firm In Contraception Case Launches New Website Following Scalia’s Death
With an eight-member court, the ruling is expected to be 4-4 in the case, which challenges the Obama administration’s birth control mandate. In other news, the Supreme Court is set to hear a different health care case on Tuesday that would have an impact on the medical device industry.
Both candidates are voicing concerns: Bernie Sanders cites frustration over Republican’s “obstructionism,” while Hillary Clinton is stressing the importance of cases on the docket — including one on abortion rights. On the Republican side of the race, Ted Cruz is campaigning on his relationship with Justice Antonin Scalia — even if they had a rocky start.
First Edition: February 17, 2016
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Cadillac Tax Politics; Straight Talk About The Budget
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
News outlets report on health issues in Connecticut, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Colorado, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Florida, California and Illinois.
Snyder Requests Expanded Medicaid Support For Flint Residents
The increased coverage would mean that all pregnant women and young people who used Flint’s water would be eligible for help.
Cal. Lawmakers Likely To Pass Replacement Tax On Health Care Plans
In other state legislative news, the House passes certificate-of-need measures in Virginia, nursing home staff training is debated in Iowa and a Kentucky lawmaker advances a proposal regarding Viagra.
Iowa Medicaid Privatization Bill Unlikely To Pass House; Switch Expected To Proceed As Scheduled
Meanwhile, a bill to provide oversight to the program passes an Iowa Senate committee, and a judge rules on a company that was ejected from the plan.
Obama Takes Aim At Surprise Medical Expenses In Budget
Patients face unexpected charges usually because of large payment disagreements between insurance companies and physicians, and the president’s plan would remove patients from the equation completely. In other news, turmoil awaits as Congress moves forward with its own budget plans.
Florida Regulators OK Aetna’s Acquisition Of Humana
Other states and the federal Department of Justice are still reviewing the details of the sale. Also in the news, Express Scripts is giving close scrutiny to Valeant prescriptions and the latest on Theranos.
Abortion Debate Adjusts As Gene-Editing Moves From Sci-Fi Impossibility To Attainable Reality
Although editing genes could lead to cures for disease such as cystic fibrosis, groups on both sides of the abortion rights issue are wary about the technique — but for different reasons. In other news, a House committee has subpoenaed more than 30 organizations in its investigation into fetal tissue donation.
‘Largest Doctor’s Office In The World’: Nonprofit ‘Pop-Up’ Clinics Expand Medical Safety Net
Volunteer-based events allow patients to see a doctor or dentist — even if it’s only for a day. Meanwhile, news outlets report on more public health stories on employee weight loss incentives, genetic testing, growing income-based health care disparities, palliative care and heartburn treatment risks.
