Latest KFF Health News Stories
Viewpoints: Fiorina’s Obamacare Replacement Plan; The Clinton-Sanders Clash
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Longer Looks: Nullifying Pain, Zika, Anti-Abortion Activists
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
News outlets report on health care developments in California, Virginia, Minnesota, North Carolina, Connecticut and Florida.
Iowa Critics Argue Private Medicaid Plan Doesn’t Provide Consumers Chance To Voice Complaints
The lawmakers say a complaint system will not be in place when private oversight is expected to start. In addition, outlets report on Medicaid news in Kansas, Florida, Alaska, Massachusetts and New Jersey.
Insiders Say Wounded Warrior Project Has Drifted From Original Mission
Excessive fundraising and marketing have former employees questioning if the charity has lost its way.
Doctors And The Malpractice Lawsuit Cycle
A study of 15 years of malpractice cases that resulted in payments to patients found that one percent of physicians accounts for 32 percent of all paid claims and if a doctor pays out once, the chances are good he or she will pay again.
Ted Cruz Attacks Donald Trump’s Positions On Health Care And Abortion
Meanwhile in New Hampshire, a conservative group tries to label Republican candidate John Kasich as an “Obama Republican” due to his Medicaid actions as Ohio governor. And on the Democratic side of the race, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi says that Sen. Bernie Sanders’ universal health care plan is unrealistic.
How The Tables Were Turned In Planned Parenthood Case
The organization immediately launched a legal strategy around cooperating fully with prosecutors. Meanwhile, Republicans are not giving up the fight against reproductive heath organization anytime soon.
WHO Alarmed By Explosive Spread Of Zika Virus Through Americas
As a case of the mosquito-born infection is confirmed in California, experts say that the U.S. must prepare for a potential outbreak. While the virus poses little threat to most people, it is believed to be linked to rare birth defects when a pregnant woman contracts it.
All Kids Should Receive HPV Vaccination Course By Age 13, Cancer Centers Recommend
Meanwhile, news outlets report on depression screening for new moms, the benefits of pediatricians teaching parenting skills and President Barack Obama’s call for $12 billion to feed low-income children when school is out of session.
Scientists’ Breakthrough Unlocks Long-Standing Mystery Over Schizophrenia’s Cause
Hailed as a landmark piece of work, the new study identifies a set of gene variants that increases the risk of schizophrenia. Researches say the variants affect synaptic pruning, a process important to how neurons talk to one another, which goes awry in schizophrenia.
After Strong Quarter, Biogen To Focus On Drugs In Pipeline
In other news, Novartis blamed its weaker-than-expected sales on the pace at which the U.S. government approves new drugs and insurers choose to cover them. Meanwhile, a major Johnson & Johnson shareholder is pushing the management to separate into three divisions.
Mass. AG Investigating Gilead Over Hep C and HIV Drug Costs
Attorney General Maura Healey, in a letter to Gilead’s chairman and chief executive, called on the company to adjust its pricing structure to make the two drugs more widely available.
Manchin Places Hold On Obama’s FDA Nominee
The West Virginia senator, who is concerned about Robert Califf’s ties to the pharmaceutical industry, is the latest in a string of senators to block the nominee. However, the administration says it has “full confidence” he will get approved.
Opioid Abuse Efforts May Bring Lawmakers Together In Rare Show Of Bipartisanship
But both parties’ interest in finding bills to combat abuse, improve treatment and bolster some law enforcement programs doesn’t mean it faces smooth sailing in Congress. Meanwhile, experts and officials stress how urgent the crisis is at a Senate Judiciary committee hearing.
CMS: Theranos’ Practices Pose ‘Immediate Jeopardy’ To Patient Health
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has threatened the blood testing startup with sanctions if it does not address the issues.
GOP Lawmakers, Citing Benefits Of Medicaid In N.H., Offer Plan To Extend Expansion Program
“This is an important debate to many of my constituents,” said Republican Rep. Joe Lachance of Manchester, according to The Associated Press. Meanwhile, Democrats in Georgia press for Medicaid expansion.
Anthem Blames Poor Profit Showing On Health Law
The second-largest U.S. insurer says it had about 800,000 enrollees under the Affordable Care Act, which was 30 percent less than projected. It warns that premiums for those individuals will go up next year.
Advocates In Oklahoma Face Stiff Challenges Signing People Up For Health Plans
Officials and residents in the conservative state have been keenly resistant to the health law, The New York Times reports. Also, CNBC examines how a few people who have a high net worth but little income can qualify for government health subsidies.
Poll: Only 15% Of Uninsured Know Enrollment Deadline Is Approaching
And about two-thirds of those uninsured Americans surveyed had not been contacted about signing up for coverage before enrollment ends Jan. 31. However, in the same poll, a vast majority of those with insurance reported they were satisfied with their health care services.
