Latest KFF Health News Stories
Federal Funds At Risk For Minnesota’s Second-Largest State-Run Psychiatric Hospital
Meanwhile, in Kansas, mental health advocates see an opportunity to redesign the system after a state hospital loses its Medicare payments.
Soaring Mercury Levels Found In Some Dental Offices
Advocacy group points to new evidence emerging that mercury fillings are leading to a toxic environment, but the Food and Drug Administration defends the procedure.
Controversial Change To Mammogram Screening Guidelines Prompts Questions From Sen. Ayotte
In related news, the increased frequency of CT scans raises safety concerns. And Reuters examines the long-lasting financial impact of medical care that working-age cancer survivors face.
Medicaid Benefits To Help Smokers Quit Fall Short, Study Finds
Even though Medicaid enrollees are more likely to smoke than the general public, a study of state data finds wide differences in cessation funding and eligibility. Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that e-cigarette ads are contributing to the surge in popularity of the tobacco product among American youth.
CMS’s $157M Project To Bolster Social Services’ Role In Health Care
The government is looking to address issues that can impact overall medical care such as housing, food, personal safety, transportation and inability to pay utility bills. The project will fund up to 44 separate experiments over five years.
Health Care Apps See Boost In Investors
Even though consumers have not fully embraced medical services via a smartphone, venture capitalists see the potential. In other news from Silicon Valley, the tech world is leading the charge on paid parental leave, but will it trickle down to the rest of America’s workers?
Lilly Offers Underwhelming 2016 Forecast; Merck’s CEO Says The Company Is ‘Raring To Go’ On Deals
Also, Valeant names a new CEO while 21st Century Oncology withdrew its long-delayed public offering.
MannKind Loses Key Partner For Inhaled Insulin Product
Sanofi-Aventis, a French pharmaceutical giant that had agreed to market and distribute Mannkind’s Afrezza, pulled out due to slow sales. The move is another stumble in an already troubled history to bring the diabetes treatment to market.
Name-Brand Drugs Aren’t The Only Pricey Ones, Review Of Generics Finds
An examination of the top 200 generic medications found that almost a quarter of the prices rose higher than inflation. And in Washington, big promises to curb prices fall short of reality.
Aetna Pulls Out Of Insurance Industry’s Lobbying Group
Aetna is the second major insurer to leave America’s Health Insurance Plans, or AHIP. The company’s decision is viewed as a big blow to the organization.
No Regrets: Kasich’s Medicaid Expansion Haunts Candidacy, But Governor Stands By Decision
The move could prove radioactive in a Republican race entrenched in ideological purity, but Ohio Gov. John Kasich, in The Washington Post, says, “I didn’t care about the political implications. I mean, you can’t do that in this business.” In other 2016 election news, Republicans are pushing to allow insurers to sell across state lines. The catch: It’s already in the health law. And the GOP candidates call for compassion in addiction policy at New Hampshire forum.
Some GOP Governors Feeling Pressure To Expand Medicaid
The Fiscal Times examines how even some politicians, such as Kentucky’s new governor, who campaigned on their opposition to the federal health law are being pressured on Medicaid expansion. Also in the news, a forum in Kansas on the benefits of expansion and a look at the issue in New Hampshire’s legislative session.
IG Investigation Finds Flaws In Oversight Of Health Law Tax-Credit Payments
The report, however, notes that the administration is moving to an automated system that might help with the problem. In other health law news, a study finds the Affordable Care Act has not caused employers to move workers to part-time status and has not discouraged people from working. Also 50,000 new enrollees sign up for insurance in Washington state.
Medicaid Expansion Improves Health Access, Study Finds
Even with different approaches, both Arkansas and Kentucky saw progress in low-income adults’ access to medical care after expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, a new study in Health Affairs says. In contrast, Texas — where Republican leaders have refused to expand the program — saw far more modest gains in coverage and access.
Obama To GOP On Mental Health: ‘Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is’
Unlike his other proposals to curb gun violence, President Barack Obama’s plan to invest $500 million in mental health care must come from Congress. The president told Republicans, who he says have been vocal in attributing mass shootings to mental health, that they should feel obligated to support it.
House To Vote On Health Law Repeal On Wednesday
Although the legislation is doomed to a veto from President Barack Obama, Republicans are eager to accomplish what they haven’t been able to in the five years the Affordable Care Act has been law: getting a repeal measure on the president’s desk.
First Edition: January 6, 2016
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Quit Fighting Health Law And Fix It; The Money Trigger That Sets Hospital Stays
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Missouri Lawmakers Recommend Contempt Proceedings For St. Louis Planned Parenthood Head
The president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri and James Miller, owner of Brentwood-based Pathology Services, Inc., failed to appear in front of the committee after they were subpoenaed. Missouri lawmakers are also proposing a bill that would criminalize women using drugs while pregnant.
Calif. Group Fails To Get Ballot Referendum On Law Giving Terminally Ill Access To Lethal Drugs
The opponents of the new law say the legislation has insufficient safeguards for vulnerable populations. A California doctor is also worried about patients choosing the option over other treatments.
