Latest KFF Health News Stories
APA Says Insurance Mergers Would Undermine Access To Mental Health Care
Other prominent doctors groups, including the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Family Physicians, have expressed concern about the proposed mergers’ impact on patients.
Details Of Utah’s Much-Anticipated Medicaid Expansion Plan To Be Rolled Out Tuesday
The plan, which faces skepticism from many Republican state legislators and is the product of hours of negotiations, will be the topic of briefings given next week during closed-door meetings.
Healthcare.gov Account Information Stored On Vulnerable Database, Audit Finds
The flaws uncovered by auditors are now fixed but included critical issues of security policy, such as not encrypting user sessions. Millions of insurance customers’ data is stored on the $110-million system known as MIDAS. In other health law news, a new study shows that Americans’ top concern when shopping for health coverage is the monthly premium they will pay.
Senate GOP Fails To Pass Temporary Spending Bill That Defunded Planned Parenthood
With just days left before a possible federal government shutdown, Democrats blocked passage of a bill that would have funded the government through Dec. 11 but included a provision to strip federal funding from the women’s health organization. Meanwhile, Republican leaders in both the House and Senate are moving ahead in efforts to pass a clean, bipartisan budget measure.
Possible Government Shutdown Won’t Delay Oct. 1 Launch Of Revised Medical Coding System
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have contingency plans in place for managing the transition to ICD-10. In other medical practice news, physician groups oppose draft language aimed at curbing “surprise” billing. And telemedicine usage is on the rise.
First Edition: September 25, 2015
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Longer Looks: Veterans Helping Comrades Fight Suicide; Telling A Child About HIV
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Health care stories are reported from North Carolina, Pennsylvania, California, Missouri, Maryland, Florida, Alabama, Ohio, Texas, Massachusetts and New Jersey.
Deep Cuts To Texas’ Children’s Therapy Services On Temporary Hold After Judge’s Decision
A planned $350 million in budget cuts to the state’s Medicaid therapy services were scheduled to go into effect on Oct. 1 and impact an estimated 60,000 kids with conditions like autism, cerebral palsy and spina bifida. In North Carolina, the Medicaid overhaul bill takes effect as Gov. Pat McCrory signs it into law.
Ohio, Wisconsin Lawmakers Move To Strip Planned Parenthood Of State And Federal Money
Elsewhere, Texas health officials consider plans to consolidate two of the state’s women’s health programs. One goal of the move is to reduce the growing rate of teen pregnancies in certain parts of the state.
Senate Panel To Hold Hearing On Improper Payments Made By Medicare And Medicaid
In related news, a judge rules that CVS did not intentionally defraud the government when it filed erroneous Medicare claims, as a whistleblower lawsuit alleged.
Consumer Advice: Handling Surprise Medical Bills And Picking A Health Plan For Kids
Two outlets examine common coverage issues for consumers.
Analysts Give Aetna, Anthem CEOs ‘Solid Grades’ For Senate Subcommittee Testimony
The executives’ mission was to win support for proposed mergers. But concerns still exist about the impact these deals might have on consumers.
Biotech Industry Under Scrutiny By Investors
Losses for this sector picked up this week after Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton said there might be “price gouging” happening in this part of the market.
Controversial Drug Price Increase Highlights Growing Trend In Costs
The decision by a pharmaceutical company to raise the price of the 62-year-old drug 5,000 percent raised the ire of consumers and politicians alike. But health care advocates and industry experts have been wary of the growing prices for some time. Also, several outlets look at the man who decided to raise the price of Daraprim and set off the latest controversy.
Lindsey Graham Ready To Take On Other GOP Presidential Hopefuls On Gov’t Shutdown Push
Graham, a senator from South Carolina, maintains that a shutdown would be politically damaging for Republicans. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Times examines the evolution of policy positions taken by another candidate, Carly Fiorina.
Clinton Takes Aim At High Out-Of-Pocket Medical Costs
A day after taking on high drug costs, Hillary Clinton, who is campaigning to become the Democratic presidential nominee, detailed a series of health policy proposals to help Americans afford the rising price tag of seeing the doctor.
Kansas Hospitals In Jeopardy Without Medicaid Expansion, Health System Leader Says
Citing declining revenues and pending hospital closures, the CEO of Kansas’ largest health system, Via Christi Health, is joining other medical groups to urge state lawmakers and Gov. Sam Brownback to reconsider their refusal to expand Medicaid.
Fewer Americans Support Federal Spending On Health Care Since Obamacare, Study Shows
In other news related to the health law, recent UAW contract negotiations shine a light on how the looming “Cadillac tax” is impacting workers and businesses. And a watchdog says that New York’s health exchange needs to improve its income verification system.
Pope’s Message To U.S. Touches On Health Care For Poor, Contraception And Abortion
On the second day of his U.S. tour, Pope Francis’ speech to Congress is eagerly anticipated. Abortion and access to health care are among the topics he’s likely to speak on as he has already been pushing Catholic hospitals to provide free health care for the poor. Yesterday the pope made an unscheduled stop at the convent of the Little Sisters of the Poor, a group of nuns fighting the Obamacare contraception mandate, to show his support.
