Latest KFF Health News Stories
Ky.’s Health Insurance Co-Op Set To Close, While Others Face Stiff Fiscal Challenges
The programs, set up by the health law in 23 states with initial federal backing, attracted large customer support in a number of areas but have suffered from financing problems. Five have either closed or plan to close at the end of the year.
First Edition: October 12, 2015
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: War Of Words On Kansas Medicaid; Sebelius’ Legacy; Mental Health Care Reform
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Research Roundup: Observation Care At VA; Meeting Charity Standards; Medicare Drug Plans
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
News outlets report on health issues in Missouri, New York, Florida, California, Georgia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Minnesota and Maine.
FDA Recognizes Salt As Generally ‘Safe’; Advocacy Group Wants That Status Removed
In other public health news, researchers find that intense early intervention can lead to recovery for people diagnosed with schizophrenia.
Proposed Measure To Repeal California Vaccine Law Fails To Get Enough Signatures To Make Ballot
Also in California, Gov. Jerry Brown signs three bills aimed at limiting prescriptions of antipsychotics for foster children. Meanwhile, the Food and Drug Administration faces criticism for its continued approval of OxyContin for kids. And the growing heroin epidemic puts more minors into the state foster systems.
Biotech Stock Poised For Big Gain Or Big Fall
One Wall Street analyst says there’s no middle ground forward for investment in biotech firms, whose products are becoming the focus of scrutiny after big price hikes. Elsewhere, a new multiple sclerosis drug from Roche shows promise, and there’s news on a takeover bid by Blackstone and an impending sale by Clayton, Dubilier & Rice of a drug-compounding firm.
Big Pharmaceutical Companies Withhold Support Of Trans-Pacific Trade Deal
Negotiators struck a compromise on the major issue of patent protections for biologics and vaccines that left no party completely happy.
Ariz. Weighs Medicaid Work Requirement, But HHS Has Rejected That For Other States
Arizona has already expanded its Medicaid program, but lawmakers there want to set tougher standards for those who are eligible. News outlets also report on the wait in Montana for the federal government to consider the state’s expansion plans and a controversial statement by an aide to the Kansas governor.
From Planned Parenthood To Obamacare: Speaker Race Will Impact Key Health Care Issues, Funding
House Republicans will meet Friday morning to discuss next steps in electing a leader following Rep. Kevin McCarthy’s surprise withdrawal from the race Thursday. Rep. Paul Ryan has resisted recruitment appeals so far.
House Panel Finds No Financial Wrongdoing By Planned Parenthood, Rep. Chaffetz Says
Chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) says his committee’s hearings have not found that the reproductive health organization is improperly handling its finances. He says investigations may continue. At a hearing yesterday, a former employee said that Planned Parenthood did bill Medicaid for abortion services. The woman made similar claims in a lawsuit that in 2014 an Iowa appeals court said did not have enough evidence to go forward.
Med Schools Trying To Adapt To New Health Care Environment
With a revolution in U.S. health care — in both how care is delivered and paid for — schools that train doctors are scrambling to revamp. Also, a Michigan paper examines the burden on nurses at an understaffed state hospital, and a study analyzes patient attitudes about being discharged from the hospital.
Bill Would Require Drug, Device Makers To Disclose Pay To Nurses, Physician Assistants
The legislation, introduced in the Senate, would close a loophole in the law that requires public disclosure of such payments to doctors and some other health providers.
Insurers Seeking More Obamacare Aid Could Wait Years
Insurers who hoped to get billions in aid after opening-year losses from their participation in the health law’s insurance marketplaces are only getting 12.6 percent of what they requested after the fund to pay them fell short. In the meantime, Obamacare dropouts get picked up by employer coverage in California, and Wyoming loses one of its two health law insurers.
CMS Releases Star Ratings For 2016 Medicare Advantage Plans
Almost three out of four beneficiaries are enrolled in medical and drug coverage plans that received at least a four-star quality rating, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The rankings did show a drop for some companies, especially in regard to prescription drug benefits.
Oncologists Skipping Expensive Cancer Drugs That Offer Little Or No Benefit
Meanwhile, news outlets report on other cancer care developments like the impact of life-expectancy questions on patients and what elephant genes could teach researchers about fighting the disease.
First Edition: October 9, 2015
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Medicaid Debate In GOP Presidential Race; Fight Over Dietary Guidelines
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Longer Looks: Ben Carson And Supplements; Fixing Chronic Fatigue; Mental Health
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
