Latest KFF Health News Stories
Kansas Medicaid Expansion Advocates Call Waiting List Argument An Evasion Tactic
In other state Medicaid news, a top Louisiana health official says she is “optimistic” that the Obama administration may OK the state’s plan for expanding the health program to another 400,000 low-income or disabled residents. Meanwhile, a new survey finds that 49 states now take Medicaid applications by phone and online.
HHS: Average Costs Of Health Exchange Premiums Rose, But Most Enrollees Pay Far Less
The Department of Health and Human Services reports that premiums for Obamacare plans increased to $408 per month, about 9 percent more than last year. The vast majority of people with this coverage, though, pay far less because they receive subsidies. Meanwhile, a federal proposal would create standardized marketplace plans and consumers could see their out-of-pocket costs drop.
VA Secretary: Agency Providing Better Care Than Ever
During a congressional hearing on Thursday, Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald rebuffed charges that he had not fired enough employees for the scandal over veterans’ health care and outlined his plan for the VA “to become the No. 1 customer-service agency in the government.” In other Capitol Hill news, a Senate report finds that hospitals did not properly report outbreaks associated to dirty scopes.
If He Shows, Shkreli Plans To Invoke Fifth Amendment
The Oversight and Government Reform Committee subpoenaed former Turing CEO Martin Shkreli, who became the face of the high drug costs controversy, to testify on the spiked prices.
GOP Senators: Obama Administration Missed Warning Signs On Co-Ops
At a Senate Finance Committee hearing on Thursday, lawmakers grilled acting CMS Administrator Andy Slavitt over the failed nonprofit health insurers. Slavitt promised the committee that the government is taking steps to help the co-ops, which were created to compete with larger private insurers. Twelve of the 23 set up under the law have gone out of business.
First Edition: January 22, 2016
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Sanders’ Health Plan Draws Concerns; Gov.’s ‘Bizarre Attack’ On Ky. Reform
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Longer Looks: Zika Virus, Privatized Medicaid, When Home Birth Goes Wrong
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
State Highlights: New Hurdle For Idaho Medicaid Proposal; Mass. Panel Weighs Price Issues
News outlets report on health care developments in Idaho, Ohio, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Florida, California, Washington, Montana and Alabama.
Massachusetts, Feds Launch Task Force To Address Opioid Crisis
The announcement came after the state’s health department released overdose numbers, which showed a 65 percent increase in deaths from 2012 to 2014. Meanwhile, in Tennessee, physicians paint a dire picture of prescription drug abuse to legislators who are concerned about “over-correction.”
Ahead Of ‘March For Life,’ Disputes Call Attention To Racial Demographics Of Abortion
In a series of recent incidents, lawmakers in both the national and state legislatures are clashing with activists over race and abortion. Elsewhere, the Wisconsin Senate cuts Planned Parenthood funding, some abortion clinics in Florida say they would have to close under a bill moving through the legislature, and a new measure in the Iowa Senate aims to improve access to contraception.
Questions Snag Muscular Dystrophy Drug’s FDA Progress
In addition, the Food and Drug Administration has delayed a decision about whether to add folic acid to corn masa.
Drug Makers Spotlight ‘Superbug’ Threat In Call For Government To Act
More than 80 companies will release a declaration at the World Economic Forum on Thursday calling for new economic models and help from countries’ governments to cut down on the unnecessary antibiotic use and encourage the development of new medicines.
Minnesota, Ohio Make Last-Minute Enrollment Pushes
In Minnesota, MNSure will offer special weekend hours for in-person enrollment assistance and federal officials visited Ohio to urge state residents to sign up for Obamacare before Jan. 31. Also, Mississippi officials provide an enrollment tally with 11 days left in the open enrollment period.
Wyo. Legislative Panel Rebuffs Governor’s Plan To Expand Medicaid
The Joint Appropriations Committee opted not to include funding for the Medicaid expansion in its recommendations to the legislature. However, lawmakers could still bring the issue up during the session. Meanwhile, Louisiana’s Department of Health and Hospitals adjusts its Medicaid enrollment projections.
Shkreli Subpoenaed For Congressional Price-Gouging Hearing
A House committee has called former Turing Pharmaceuticals CEO Martin Shkreli and Valeant’s interim CEO, Howard Schiller, to testify over sharp increases in drug costs at a hearing on Tuesday. And Treasury Secretary Jack Lew received a subpoena from Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Texas, and Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich., over documents involving payments to insurance companies.
Sanders’ Plan: Medicare On Steroids
The benefits included in Sen. Bernie Sanders’ health care plan are actually considerably more generous than what is offered through Medicare. Meanwhile, Bill Clinton is in New Hampshire calling the proposal a liberal fairy tale that would lead to “gridlock.”
First Edition: January 21, 2016
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Costs Of Medicaid Expansion; Debating Life And Death Issues
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Views From The Campaign Trail: Analyzing The Innerworkings Of Sanders’ ‘Medicare-For-All’ Plan
Health policy opinions and editorials focus on Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Bernie Sanders’ single-payer health proposal.
