Latest KFF Health News Stories
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.
Lack Of Understanding Of Zika Makes Virus More ‘Insidious, Cunning And Evil’ Than Ebola
The mystery surrounding the virus has impeded efforts of world health officials. In other Zika news, Venezuela is hit hard by an outbreak, the virus sparks a pharmaceutical gold rush, WHO says a Zika test is only weeks away, and Catholic leaders aren’t changing their opinion on contraception and abortion.
Scientists Call For DNA From Patients With Metastatic Breast Cancer
The request is part of an expansive project to shine a spotlight on the type of cancer that activists say has not been studied enough. Meanwhile, cancer researchers are flocking to an Ohio database which holds detailed information on cancer patients from around the country, and a new questionnaire might help determine if cancer patients are feeling extreme financial stress from their treatments.
Special Report: Baltimore’s Other Divide
Reporters from Kaiser Health News and the University of Maryland’s Philip Merrill College of Journalism spent much of the fall in and around Sandtown-Winchester, a Baltimore neighborhood where violence flared last year after Freddie Gray was fatally injured in police custody. Residents say they have little more confidence in the medical system intended to heal them than in the criminal justice system intended to protect them.
Despite Payment Cuts, Medicare Advantage Plan Enrollments Rise More Than 50 Percent
The trend bucks experts who predicted that the private plans would be gutted by the health law measure that cut payments to the private insurance programs. In other Obamacare news, 2016 sign-ups fall short of estimates made in 2010 and delayed tax forms are confusing consumers.
After Scalia’s Death, Health Care Cases Hang In Balance
The Supreme Court is set to hear several health care cases, including ones on abortion, insurers, and the health care law. If the court is split 4-4, the decision of the lower court is upheld.
Personal Attacks Ramp Up At Rowdy GOP Debate
At the contentious Republican debate on Saturday night, Gov. John Kasich defended his Medicaid expansion, which is a common theme for his campaign. Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton says Bernie Sanders’ health care plan — the cost of which left-leaning economists are questioning — would lead to consumers having to give up their insurance.
First Edition: February 16, 2016
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
