Latest KFF Health News Stories
State Highlights: Vaccine Referendum Effort Fails In Calif.; New Questions On Iowa Medicaid Changes
News outlets report on health care issues in California, Iowa, Massachusetts and New Jersey.
Public Health Approach May Be Needed To Help Combat Mass Shootings
The New York Times examines efforts by some experts to move focus to early detection and preventive measures to keep help prevent gun violence. In other reports on public health issues, KHN talks to an expert about avoiding diagnostic errors, and NBC looks at the spiraling cost of specialty drugs.
VA Secretary McDonald Disputes Audit’s Findings Of Deep, Systemic Issues At Agency
Robert McDonald says that progress has already been made on many of the issues cited in the $68-million independent audit and that the Department of Veterans Affairs needs a bigger budget to go further. Meanwhile, a groundbreaking program in Milwaukee, Wis., has veterans act out battle-heavy scenes in Shakespeare plays to help them process their emotions.
Watchdog Rejects Allegation Of Improper FDA Approval For Cancer Screening Devices
The Office of Special Counsel says the complaints were not substantiated. In other Food & Drug Administration news, Dr. Robert Califf, the Duke cardiologist nominated to lead the agency, asked to have his name removed from a series of papers examining clinical trials that he co-wrote. The unusual move raised questions and potential ethical concerns.
Cancer Doctors Say They Increasingly Weigh Drug Costs When Choosing Treatment Options
Those decisions could help provide some break to the breathtaking increases in drug prices consumers have seen in recent years. Also in marketplace news, Walmart prepares for a massive, nationwide health fair, and PharMerica agrees to settle allegations that it received kickbacks for promoting a drug.
Arkansas Could Incur ‘Substantial’ Costs By Ending Medicaid Expansion: Report
Consultants hired by a task force offer other suggestions for reforming the health program for low-income residents. Meanwhile, the debate over expanding Medicaid continues in Utah, South Dakota, Kansas and Missouri.
Obama Signs Measure Intended To Stem Premium Jumps On Small Group Insurer Plans
The new law, which makes the expansion of the small group insurance market optional for states, is a rare example of bipartisan agreement on Obamacare changes. In other news, the approach of enrollment season means consumers should start researching their choices.
Pelosi Says Boehner Is Stalling Efforts To Avert Medicare Premium Increase
The increase for next year could be as much as 50 percent for some beneficiaries. In other Medicare news, Sen. Sherrod Brown reintroduces a bill that would bar Medicare Advantage plans from dropping doctors from their networks during the plan year, and a pilot project designed to save money produces mixed results.
Lawmakers Grill Officials Over Plans For New Dietary Guidelines
The administration announces that it will not take food products’ impact on the environment into account when setting the guidelines this year, but members of Congress continue to press about the policy.
First Edition: October 8, 2015
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Make Mental Health Issues A Public Health Mission; GOP And Planned Parenthood
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
State Highlights: Nev. Settles Case About Patient Dumping; Pa. Mandates Improved Mammograms
News outlets report on health issues in California, the District of Columbia, Florida, Kansas, Nevada, Ohio and Pennsylvania.
Seniors Switch To Traditional Medicare Plans When More Serious Conditions Hit, Study Shows
In other Medicare news, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court hears the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s appeal regarding in-network rates. Also, open enrollment begins Oct. 15, the GAO wants tougher Medicare Advantage oversight and beneficiaries face hurdles to getting hearing aids.
Using Hip-Hop To Grab Teens’ Attention: FDA Launches New Anti-Smoking Campaign
The agency says it’s critical to find creative ways to target young people, especially in minority groups who traditionally have been at higher risk of becoming addicted to cigarettes.
C-Section Rates Vary Widely Among States And Individual Hospitals, Study Shows
In Florida, a health safety group is warning that South Florida hospitals perform too many C-sections, with some area hospitals reporting that the procedure is used for more than half of all deliveries. In other reproductive health news, another study finds that more women are being offered IUDs right after delivery.
Are Dietary Guidelines Discouraging Whole Milk Wrong? Researchers Evaluate Health Benefits
Meanwhile, schools struggle to get students to eat healthier food, and lobbying is underway to influence the next round of U.S. dietary recommendations.
Planned Parenthood Wants Class-Action Status In Fight Against Arkansas’ Defunding Efforts
The reproductive health organization asked a federal judge to expand a ruling that temporarily blocks Arkansas from stopping payments to three women to cover a larger group of potential plaintiffs. In related legal news, a judge rules that anti-abortion activists can turn over their Planned Parenthood video tapes to Congress, and Arkansas urges the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade.
Opponents Of Calif.’s Assisted Suicide Law Seek Referendum To Overturn It
The groups are launching a campaign to get a referendum, but it could be an uphill battle. Also, news outlets examine how the California law will impact other states considering similar legislation and seek to answer consumer questions about how this would work.
Health Care Stocks Weigh Down U.S. Markets
Among the shares dropping are those in the biotech sector, which may be headed for its worst loss since 2011. Investors are worried over drug prices as disappointing earnings news also affects the stocks’ value.
Study Finds Dramatic Differences In Prices For Health Care Services
The differentials extend across the country and within metropolitan areas, researchers reported.
