Latest KFF Health News Stories
Ark. Senate Passes Bill That Would Allow Governor To Extend Medicaid Expansion
The legislation now goes to the House. Opponents warn that Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s controversial strategy for the bill could invoke lawsuits. Meanwhile, in Kansas, the hospitals and others are frustrated by the lack of progress for a bill to expand the program that provides health coverage to low-income residents.
Health Law Benefits Reaching Poor Americans’ Wallets, Study Finds
New research shows that many poor Americans’ financial woes have been eased by the expansion of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, but experts are unable to show if it has made low-income people any healthier.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
A selection of opinions from around the country.
News outlets report on health issues in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Ohio, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Florida.
Texas Asks Federal Officials To Renew Medicaid Funds For Hospitals
The funding, which helps hospitals cover uncompensated care for patients without insurance, is supposed to be reduced under the health law because Medicaid expansion would cover many of those patients. But Texas did not expand its Medicaid program. Also, a look at how the Labor Department’s new overtime rule is affecting health care providers, and North Carolina officials seek residents’ views on changes to Medicaid there.
Michigan AG To Announce Criminal Charges In Flint Water Crisis, Sources Say
Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette could file charges against as many as four people in connection with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and the city of Flint.
Cancer Advocacy Groups Come Out Swinging For ‘Moonshot’ Resources
There has long been competition in the cancer community for funds and attention, but now that the nation’s focus has been directed to the cause, the fight to not be left out has intensified.
‘Smokeless Doesn’t Mean Harmless’: FDA Launches $36M Campaign Against Chewing Tobacco
The Food and Drug Administration’s Mitch Zeller, director of the agency’s tobacco program, says smokeless tobacco is culturally ingrained in rural areas as a rite of passage, and that many of those young people don’t fully understand the health effects of the habit.
Opioid Epidemic Casts Shadow On Marijuana Legalization In New England
Marijuana advocates have turned their attention to the fairly liberal enclave of northeastern states, but the region has been particularly hard hit by the opioid crisis making residents and lawmakers skittish on the topic. Meanwhile, Maine regulators are considering marijuana as an alternative to prescription pain killers, and a Minnesota senator is trying to increase access to naloxone, an anti-overdose drug.
Life Expectancy Dips For White Women: Statistical Blip Or ‘Harbinger Of Things To Come’?
Recent reports show an increase in suicides, overdoses and unintentional poisonings — which is mainly alcohol and drug poisoning — but researchers say they need more data in years to come to determine if the drop is significant.
Johnson & Johnson’s Prescription Drug Revenue Boosts Quarterly Earnings
In other pharmaceutical news, a health plan shifts its hepatitis C stance amid outcry that the expensive drug is being covered only when the disease becomes life-threatening, Express Scripts files off a volley of its own in Anthem contract dispute, and the Food and Drug Administration’s new chief says the agency shouldn’t distance itself too far from the industry it regulates.
Massachusetts Physicians Work Around Insurance Companies
Meanwhile, two Wisconsin insurers begin a partnership.
Theranos’ Fate Could Hinge On Thin Line Between Rosy Projections And False Promotion
At worst, if investigators find evidence of hype that crosses the line with the blood-testing startup, its executives could face jail time. Meanwhile, Theranos board member David Boies says he has confidence in CEO Elizabeth Holmes following news of investigations into the company.
Medicare Proposal Would Drop Cuts To Hospitals Based On Two-Midnight Inpatient Rule
The wide-ranging proposed rule for hospital payments seeks to mute industry criticism of how federal officials handle reimbursements and classifications for inpatients, as well as overpayments and bundled services.
Republicans Say They’ve Found Evidence Of Possible Illegal Conduct Over Fetal Tissue Profits
The Democrats, however, say the report is based on documents that were obtained illegally, and have led to “inaccurate and misleading” conclusions.
‘Quality And Safety’ Issues Halt Work At NIH Labs For Internal Inquiry
Lab conditions and the risk of contamination were determined to not be suitable to produce clinical-study drugs at two facilities. No evidence of patient harm has been found.
CMS To States: Cutting Medicaid Funding To Planned Parenthood Could Violate Federal Law
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services sent a letter to all 50 states warning them that ending funding is tantamount to restricting access to a qualified provider, which goes against the law.
Arkansas Senate To Take Up Bill At Center Of Strategy To Save Medicaid Expansion
The bill has a provision to sunset the state’s Medicaid expansion program, but the governor has pledged to use his line-item veto on that measure, thus insuring the program will be funded and continue.
UnitedHealth To Exit All But A Few ACA Markets
The insurer’s exchange business was relatively small, but the move draws attention to the industry’s struggle to adjust to the sicker, more costly pool of customers that have dominated the market under the Affordable Care Act.
