Latest KFF Health News Stories
Medicare Sets Pricing Plan For Biotech Copycat Drugs
In other regulatory news, Medicare continues its scrutiny of short hospital stays, new patient protections for transgender people are imminent, the FDA considers further regulation of HIV drugs and a battle continues over a federal drug discount program.
Valeant Tells Doctors That Their Prescriptions Won’t Be Disrupted
Valeant Pharmaceuticals sent a letter to doctors to try to reassure them after the company severed its controversial business ties with specialty pharmacy Philidor. In other marketplace news, Quest Diagnostics expands its data analytics business, AmSurg suspends acquisition talks with Team Health and Pamplona announced plans to buy MedAssets for $1.86 billion.
As Arizona Co-Op Folds, 59,000 Must Search For Alternate 2016 Coverage
Meanwhile, reporters from KHN and PBS NewsHour discuss the factors that have contributed to the collapse of a growing number of nonprofit insurance co-operatives set up by the 2010 health law.
Montana Wins Federal Approval Of Medicaid Expansion Plan
The state’s plan, which won approval in a Republican-controlled legislature after a bitter fight, needed waivers from the federal government because the state is requiring participants to pay a small premium and take part in a jobs-skill survey.
Officials Urge Consumers To Shop Around For Health Coverage
Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell says Americans looking for health insurance should take the time to look for better deals. It’s a sentiment shared among many health law advocates, including the interim head of Minnesota’s health exchange.
With Premiums Up For Some, Obamacare Affordability Concerns Could Hurt Enrollment
In related news, The Washington Post maps the state-by-state rate changes for health law plans. Elsewhere, The Fiscal Times offers a primer on how to sign up during open enrollment season and The Hill reports on the status of the Cadillac tax debate.
Election Results Likely To Impact Medicaid Expansion Debate
Kentucky’s expansion of the health insurance program for low income people has been a hot topic in the state’s governor’s race. Similarly, in Virginia, the possibility of Medicaid expansion is tied to who wins control of the state Senate. News outlets also report on state ballot initiatives in California and New York.
Viewpoints: Problems With GOP Tax Plans; Pass The Mental Health Bills
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Views On Health Enrollment: One Employer’s Experience; Cost-Shifting; Beware Bush’s Plan
Several columnists and editorials look at issues surrounding the opening of the health law’s marketplaces.
News outlets report on health issues in Iowa, Florida, Arkansas, Washington, Oregon, New Jersey, Massachusetts, New York and Ohio.
Health Care Issues Play A Key Role In Hotly Contested Kentucky Governor’s Race
Republican Matt Bevin and Democrat Jack Conway are locked in a tight race, according to polls, to replace Gov. Steve Beshear. The election is viewed as a referendum on the health law, as Kentucky launched its own exchange and Beshear expanded Medicaid by executive order.
Risk Of Dying From Breast Cancer Grows For Black Women
Breast cancer is now as common among black women in the U.S. as it is among white women and black women are 42 percent more likely to die from the disease, according to a report from the American Cancer Society.
Trump Rolls Out Plan To Reform Veteran’s Health Care
One of the changes proposed by Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump includes the ability for eligible vets to see any private doctor or facility that accepts Medicare and receive immediate treatment.
Merck CEO Embarks On Drug Cost Information Campaign
Merck’s Ken Frazier wants to change the perception that pharmaceutical companies charge too much for drugs. Elsewhere, the drug makers AbbVie and Sanofi buy vouchers to get their drugs to market faster, and Valeant sees its value come back to earth after pressures to explain its business practices.
New Speaker Paul Ryan On The Issues
CNN also reports that although Ryan doesn’t want Planned Parenthood to get money from taxpayers, he is doubtful lawmakers can totally deny the organization federal dollars.
Justice Department Reaches $250M Settlement With Hospitals Over Cardiac Device Violations
More than 450 hospitals in 43 states are alleged to have violated Medicare coverage requirements by implanting cardioverter defibrillators too soon after patients suffered a heart attack or had other procedures.
Medicare Sets Final Rule To Pay Doctors For Consultations On ‘End-of-Life’ Care
The new rule did not ignite the fierce fight that a similar measure did during the health law debate. Medicare officials also turned down requests from hospitals to change their plans for a controversial rule to determine which patients are considered out-patient status, and the Wall Street Journal examines how the federal government is curbing the auditors who check those hospital decisions.
Why Are The Health Law’s Co-Ops Failing?
Arizona’s co-op plan — which covers one in three people in that state with health law plans — won’t be allowed to sell plans, leaving more than 59,000 people scrambling to find new health insurance.
States Implement Strategies To Reach Uninsured People During Insurance Sign-Up Season
In addition to detailing state efforts to reach these consumers, news outlets also report on how local market offerings have changed this year.
Health Law’s Third Open Enrollment Season Begins
Open enrollment for health coverage available on the healthcare.gov and state exchanges kicked off Nov. 1. Though the technology glitches and drama of the first sign-up period appear to be less likely, officials note challenges remain — namely, the reduced number of plan choices and the costs increases for some premiums.
