Latest KFF Health News Stories
Planned Parenthood Leader, GOP Lawmakers Square Off At Committee Hearing
During the hearing held by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, GOP panel members grilled Cecile Richards, the organization’s president, on a series of recently released, covert videos and the organization’s use of federal funds.
Health care stories are reported from Minnesota, Florida, Washington, New Hampshire, Delaware, Texas, Missouri and California.
First Edition: September 30, 2015
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Shutdown Only Delayed; Politics And Drug Prices; Failing Co-Ops
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Health care stories are reported from California, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, Minnesota and Kansas.
Missouri AG Finds No Evidence Of Wrongdoing By Local Planned Parenthood Clinic
Meanwhile, the Utah branch of the reproductive health organization filed suit against the governor Monday after he ordered state agencies to cut off its federal funding. And in Ohio, the state Department of Medicaid has been collecting data on the services Planned Parenthood provides to Ohio Medicaid patients.
Spotting Breast Cancer May Not Be Helped By Computer Tech Used In Most Mammograms, Study Finds
Computer-aided detection appears not to improve diagnostic accuracy for breast cancer screening, according to a large study, though the use of the technology does increase cost.
Permanent ‘Doc Fix’ Did Not Lock In Rates For Other Medicare Expenses Congress Must Still Fund
In other Medicare news, the HHS inspector general investigates mystery ambulance rides, doctors get ready for ICD-10 and lawmakers worry about the doctor supply.
In Closed Door Session, Alaska Lawmakers Proceed With Lawsuit To Block Governor’s Medicaid Expansion
The lawsuit, designed to stop the implementation of Gov. Bill Walker’s Medicaid expansion, will continue in state Superior Court after a House-Senate committee met in private Monday to discuss the case. Also in the news, a coalition of Nebraska lawmakers is considering options to expand the low-income health insurance program. News outlets in South Dakota and Louisiana also report on Medicaid expansion developments.
Republicans Will Use Reconciliation Bill To Try To Repeal Health Law Taxes, Insurance Mandate
The procedural tool fast tracks the measure, avoiding a potential Senate filibuster. President Barack Obama would all-but-certainly veto the legislation. In other Obamacare news, Minnesota reveals 2016 premiums, a Louisiana co-op gets no relief from a federal program aimed at helping it survive and more health systems are jumping in to the insurance business.
Planned Parenthood Official, House GOP Lawmakers To Duel At Hearing
Tuesday’s hearing will be the first congressional appearance for representatives of the reproductive health organization since controversy emerged over its provision of fetal tissue for research.
Senate Clears First Hurdle To Averting A Government Shutdown
The Senate easily overcame a filibuster regarding a short-term spending bill that does not include a provision to defund Planned Parenthood. The chamber could vote as soon as today on that measure, and then send it to the House. The legislation must be passed by Oct. 1 in order to avoid a government shutdown.
Congressional Democrats Push For Answers On Valeant’s Price Hikes
The Canadian drug maker increased the price of two heart drugs by 525 percent and 212 percent the day it acquired their rights, prompting U.S. lawmakers to seek answers on the hikes.
First Edition: September 29, 2015
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Owner’s Price Hike For Drug Spotlights Concerns; Ky. Gov. Hails Medicaid Plan
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Health care stories are reported from California, Texas, Oklahoma, Connecticut, New York, Vermont and New Hampshire.
Community Health Groups Unsure Of Their Role In N.Y. Medicaid
In the meantime, firms in Iowa that want to help run the Medicaid program there face questions of fraud or unethical medical practices.
Illinois Hospital’s Plan To Merge Pediatric, Adult ERs Scrutinized
Elsewhere, a Cleveland Clinic lab — at Marymount Hospital — gets an overhaul after problems, women’s health is targeted in new Minnesota medical facilities and trauma workers’ spend time reflecting after a death at one Virginia hospital.
Abortion Rights Group Asks Okla. Supreme Court To Stop Forthcoming Abortion Law
The group says the law, which goes into effect Nov. 1, is unfair to doctors and medical facilities. In St. Louis, abortion opponents seek transcripts from 911 calls and ambulance reports from the city fire department’s dealings with a Planned Parenthood clinic, and the Supreme Court may take up a Texas abortion case on abortion restrictions there.
Safe Drinking Water Was A Public Health Achievement. Now, Decaying Systems Need Replacement
The Associated Press launches a special report on how failing infrastructure, mismanaged funding and local government troubles have endangered the U.S. water system.
