Latest KFF Health News Stories
As House Pushes To Defund Planned Parenthood, State-Level Money Already Cut In Many Places
News outlets in Texas and Iowa examine how funds in those states are spent on the women’s reproductive health organization. And, in Utah, a well-known advocate joins the fight for Planned Parenthood.
What’s App With Your Health? 165,000 Varieties Try To Help You Navigate
There are tens of thousands of health apps out there, but only about three dozen account for about half of all downloads, a new reports says. Elsewhere, a new start up aims to help seniors who want to “age in place,” and the government looks to recruit 1 million Americans for its “precision medicine” initiative.
Critical Troubles Plague VA And Require Systemic ‘Reworking,’ Independent Review Finds
The 4,000-page congressionally mandated assessment of the Veterans Affairs health care system identifies widespread leadership, budgetary and bureaucratic problems and says the agency is “challenged on every level.”
Fight Brews Over Medicare’s Coverage Of Prosthetics
Elsewhere, groups seek to delay new “meaningful-use” rules over how they interact with the Medicare “doc fix.” And patients should be prepared to wait longer for their medical bills as a new medical coding system takes root.
Safety Complaints Lead FDA To Review Only Approved Nonsurgical Permanent Birth Control Option
Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Inquirer examines the impact of mifepristone, otherwise known as the abortion pill, over the last 15 years since its approval in the U.S.
New Drugs Offer ‘Amazing’ Promise As Costs For Older Drugs Are Marked By Staggering Increases
Also in the news, The New York Times profiles the new commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration.
Justice Dept. Delays Ruling, Asks For More Info On Aetna-Humana Merger
Meanwhile, Modern Healthcare reports on Aetna’s plans for its acquisition of Humana. In other news, Universal Health Services has agreed to buy Foundations Recovery Network.
Republican Presidential Hopefuls Vie For Conservative Votes
Following the latest GOP presidential debate, the candidates’ campaign trail tone shifted to the right while Carly Fiorina jump to second in CNN’s latest poll. The former California candidate for U.S. Senate also played down criticism of a series of sting videos on Planned Parenthood. Another Republican presidential hopeful, N.J. Gov. Chris Christie, says Congress should defund Planned Parenthood, despite President Barack Obama’s veto threats.
Hillary Clinton To Hit GOP Presidential Candidates Over Obamacare Repeal Plans
The Democratic presidential hopeful will use a series of events to talk the health law up to Americans. Also, the former first lady will this week propose a new way to control the cost of prescription drugs.
Feds Considering Public Comments On Montana’s Medicaid Expansion Plan
In other expansion news, Alaska officials report that more than 1,000 Alaskans signed up for Medicaid during the first two weeks of the state’s expansion of its health insurance program for low-income people. Meanwhile, in Virginia, the expansion is still a political issue that will be in play during the upcoming state elections. And, in Kansas, Gov. Sam Brownback is still resistant to the expansion concept.
Bipartisan Effort Takes Aim At Obamacare Provision That Would Impact Small, Midsize Companies
In other health law news, Stateline reports on the future of health insurance co-ops. Meanwhile, the National Committee for Quality Assurance institutes a new quality ratings system for health plans, and a Latino group in Texas receives a federal grant to help enroll people under the Affordable Care Act.
House Passes Bill To Strip Planned Parenthood Of Federal Funds For One Year
The 241-187 vote fell along party lines. Another bill also passed, on a 248-177 vote, that would require medical personnel to aid an infant born alive after an attempted abortion, a provision that Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., will introduce in the Senate. Neither measure is expected to become law in the face of a potential Senate filibuster and presidential veto.
Conservatives’ Aversion To Planned Parenthood Funding At Center Of Current Budget Fight
A government shutdown could occur if a temporary budget is not passed by the end of the month. However, passage of a short-term spending bill faces opposition from conservatives who are troubled by federal funding for the reproductive health organization. But GOP congressional leaders fear that a shutdown could risk the party’s White House bid.
First Edition: September 21, 2015
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Longer Lives And Entitlement Questions; Missing Health Care At GOP Debate
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Research Roundup: Insurance Disparities; Medicare Beneficiaries’ Assets; Bariatric Surgery
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Health care stories are reported from Virginia, Ohio, Texas, Wisconsin, North Carolina and Michigan.
N.C. Lawmakers Agree On Plan To Privatize State’s Medicaid Program
In other Medicaid news, the Los Angeles Times reports on balance billing within Medi-Cal, and some Democrats in the Iowa legislature ask for federal assistance in blocking a plan by Gov. Terry Branstad to privatize the health insurance program for low-income people. In Pennsylvania, the state human services department will put out $17 billion in Medicaid business for bid to private companies.
Ark. Judge Hears Case Brought By Planned Parenthood To Reinstate Medicaid Contract
Meanwhile, in Florida, the reproductive health organization has asked the state Supreme Court to take on another legal challenge — this one rooted in a property dispute.
Rite Aid Reports Profit Drop, Cuts Next Full-Year Earnings Outlook
The third-largest drugstore chain says lower pharmacy reimbursements and its $2-billion purchase of pharmacy benefit manager EnvisionRx account for the fall. In other marketplace news, The Washington Post examines claims made by health apps.
