Latest KFF Health News Stories
N.C.’s Compromise Spending Plan Includes Medicaid Reforms
The state budget blueprint would spend $225 million over two years to reshape the state-federal health insurance program for low-income people from a system that pays for every doctor’s visit and procedure into a per-person payment approach.
Ferguson Study Highlights Health Disparities As Part Of The Problem
The commission’s report said the racial divisions evident in St. Louis are rooted in social problems such as shortcomings in health care, housing and quality education.
Aspirin Can Protect Against Heart Attack, Stroke And Colon Cancer For Some Patients, Panel Says
A daily low-dose aspirin for people in their 50s, and some in their 60s, who have a 10 percent or greater chance of having a heart attack or stroke in the next 10 years benefit the most, according to draft guidelines from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
Breaking Down Ins and Outs Of The Conversion To ICD-10
Doctors, hospitals and health systems are worried the new medical coding system, with more than 100,000 new codes for medical procedures and conditions, will be too much trouble and not worth the improvements officials promise to the quality of care. The switch happens Oct. 1.
Bids To Manage Montana’s Medicaid Expansion Higher Than State Expected
Montana officials are looking to have a private company oversee the expansion. Also in state Medicaid news, advocates for expansion in Kansas hope that the recent closure of a hospital might help their cause, and safety net hospitals in Florida are warning that cutbacks caused by the lack of expansion will affect the cost of care.
Shoddy Oversight Led To Healthcare.gov Delays, Technical Issues And Cost Overruns, Audit Finds
The report identifies early failures by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services employees to monitor eight companies handling more than $600 million in contracts to build the site. Elsewhere, news outlets report on disappearing PPO options in Florida, rising insurance rates in Georgia and the impact of insurer mega-mergers on the cost and quality of care for consumers.
Universal Health Care High On Sanders’ Priority List
Campaign proposals from presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., include a government-run health care program that covers all Americans. News outlets also note his stances on women’s concerns, such as abortion rights and paid family and medical leave. This comes as Hillary Clinton, who is also campaigning to be the Democratic nominee, appears to be losing some of her support among women voters. On the GOP side of the ticket, Ohio Gov. John Kasich says he would repeal the parts of the health law he doesn’t like but keep some of the other provisions.
First Edition: September 15, 2015
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Scrutinizing GOP Health Plans, Drug Price Regulation And Insurance Mergers
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Health care stories are reported from California, Illinois, New York, Texas, Missouri, Iowa, Alabama and Wisconsin.
Challenges Of Rural Care Highlighted By Small Hospitals Closing In Kansas, North Carolina
Elsewhere, news outlets report on hospital developments including federal violations at Cleveland Clinic’s Marymount Hospital, the need for trauma centers on Chicago’s South Side and a new generation of ambulatory clinics that provide wide-ranging outpatient care.
Jindal Administration Announces New Plan To End Planned Parenthood’s Medicaid Contracts
This new approach by the Louisiana governor to cut off funding “for cause” represents a tactical shift in a legal fight against abortion providers. Meanwhile, The Associated Press reports on other state-level developments related to Planned Parenthood in Arkansas and South Carolina.
Calif. Physician-Assisted Suicide Bill Now Headed To Gov. Brown’s Desk
California lawmakers approved the measure Friday, but it is not yet clear if Gov. Jerry Brown will sign it into law.
Carson Gains Ground In Both Polls And Money Races; Clinton’s Support Slips
Meanwhile, Ohio Gov. John Kasich urges legislators in D.C. to avoid a government shutdown in a fight over federal funding for Planned Parenthood.
New Medical Coding System Prompts Cash-Flow, Logistical Worries For Doctors, Hospitals
The new classification system, known as ICD-10, is set to go in use Oct. 1 and contains more than 100,000 new codes, which will force medical practices and insurers to upgrade and implement new practices. Meanwhile, the traditional stethoscope is also getting a modern overhaul.
Report Calls For Discounts On Heart Failure Treatments
The report from the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review also examines the cost-effectiveness of two new treatments for congestive heart failure. Elsewhere, Amgen looks for FDA approval of a once-a-month version of its cholesterol-lowering drug, Repatha.
GOP Leaders’ Hope To Avoid A Gov’t Shutdown Is Caught Up In Planned Parenthood Funding
Conservative lawmakers are challenging GOP leaders’ intent to pass a temporary budget bill without conditions, such as blocking federal funds for Planned Parenthood. Much is at stake — both in terms of politics and policies.
More Immigrants Losing Coverage Because Of Change In Health Law Procedures
More than 400,000 had their insurance canceled, nearly four times as many as last year, The Associated Press reports. Also, a look at the “Cadillac tax” that takes effect in 2018 on generous employer-provided plans, and an examination of the health law’s accountable care organizations, which were designed to save Medicare money but haven’t done that yet.
First Edition: September 14, 2015
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: A Legal ‘Win’ For House Republicans; Dispute ‘Has No Business’ In Court
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
