Latest KFF Health News Stories
Okla. Gov. Urges State To End Medicaid Contracts With Planned Parenthood
Republican Gov. Mary Fallin has asked the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to terminate contracts with the reproductive health organization’s affiliates in Oklahoma City and Tulsa.
Few Iowa Hospitals, Doctors Appear To Sign Contracts With Privatized Medicaid Program
In other Medicaid news, New Mexico lawmakers are contemplating cuts in various health and social programs to boost funding for Medicaid.
Consolidation Gives Florida Hospitals Leverage In Negotiations With Insurers: Analysis
In other regional hospital news, medical groups in New Jersey appeal the state’s approval of an insurer alliance. And in Louisiana, a judge throws out a lawsuit filed by LSU seeking to remove the manager of two of its university hospitals.
Medicare Weighs Penalizing Doctors Who Routinely Order Prostate Screenings
The Wall Street Journal reports on a little-noticed proposal that is part of the federal effort to define quality in health care. Also, Reuters looks at a study showing a decline in U.S. funding for public health.
Sanders Outlines Vision For ‘Democratic Socialism’ That Includes Medicare For All
Citing the example of Franklin D. Roosevelt, Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders delivered a campaign-defining speech that defended his policies that have been attacked as “socialist.” He used his plan to provide universal health care as an example of his overall philosophy.
Those Specialty Drugs Likely Cost More Than Your Household Income
A new report says a year’s worth of specialty drugs now outpaces the U.S. median household income. Elsewhere, using brand-name drugs over generic equivalents doesn’t often boost patient satisfaction. And the price of hepatitis C drugs may be holding back the eradication of the disease and playing a role as Medicaid denies nearly half of requests for the treatments.
CMS ‘Willing And Eager’ To Discuss Waivers To Encourage Medicaid Expansion In Georgia
Meanwhile, in Kentucky, health navigators want to discuss the state’s low-income health program with the incoming governor to convince him of the importance of maintaining an expanded safety net for the working poor.
Marketplace Challenges Spur Questions About Quality, Effectiveness Of Health Plans Offered
CBS News explores how some of the problems consumers are finding with marketplace plans square with the aspirations of the law. Also in news about enrollment are stories about coverage for some over-the-counter products, the penalties for not having insurance and Connecticut’s success in signing up younger adults.
UnitedHealthcare, Lowering Financial Forecast, Warns Of Possible Exit From ACA Marketplace
Some view the insurer’s Thursday announcement as an effort to compel the Obama administration to ease regulations and tweak certain aspects of the health law.
Viewpoints: Texas’ Abortion Policy; Medicaid For Kids; A National Sugar Tax
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Longer Looks: Silicon Valley Suicides; Living With HIV; Texas Abortion Law
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Chicago-Area County Chooses New Manager For Medicaid Program
The contract, awarded to Valence Health, is worth $72 million over three years. In Iowa, a proposal to privatize the state’s Medicaid program has lawmakers there scrambling in Washington to lobby federal officials over their concerns.
Medical care will be expanded at the state-run Baltimore City Detention Center to provide accommodations for people with disabilities and to establish guidelines for assessing, treating and independently monitoring detainees’ physical and mental health as part of a settlement in a class-action lawsuit filed on behalf of pretrial detainees.
Calif. Attorney General Delays Hospital Deal Decision
News outlets also report on other hospital industry developments in Maryland, Iowa, Florida and Minnesota.
AMA Calls For Ban On Prescription Drug Advertising To Consumers
The doctors’ group says the marketing could be driving up demand for expensive treatment that may be unnecessary.
NIH To Halt Medical Experiments On Chimpanzees
The 50 chimps that remain in National Institutes of Health research facilities will be sent to sanctuaries, ending a controversial, long-time practice of testing vaccines and drugs on the animals.
FDA Approves Easy-To-Use Heroin Antidote To Combat Overdoses
Narcan is a reformulated drug delivered through a nasal spray that can reverse heroin and opioid overdoses. As the national drug abuse epidemic grows, local officials across the country have begun handing out the drug to police, drug users and families of addicts.
Top Veterans Affairs Official Lays Out Overhaul Plan For VA Health Care System To Lawmakers
Deputy Secretary Sloan Gibson told the House Committee on Veterans Affairs that the agency was working to improve the network of private doctors available to veterans. In other VA news, a former Phoenix VA hospital director will keep her bonus despite being fired for misconduct. And Rep. John Mica introduces a bill that would transfer federal control of a VA nursing home to Florida.
Ohio Gov. Kasich’s Office Helped Create Abortion Restrictions
The legislation required clinics where abortions are performed to have emergency-transfer protocol with nearby hospitals, among other measures. Elsewhere, a conservative group questions Carly Fiorina’s credentials, the Democratic presidential frontrunners spar on health care taxes and divisions appear within the Clinton Health Access Initiative.
Alabama Gov.’s Task Force Recommends Medicaid Expansion
The group called for an “Alabama-driven solution” to closing the coverage gap.
