Latest KFF Health News Stories
Pa. High Court To Hear Expedited Appeal In UPMC-Highmark Case
At issue is a Commonwealth Court judge’s order in May that says UPMC must maintain in-network rates until 2019 for people insured by Highmark Medicare Advantage plans. UPMC canceled its Medicare Advantage contract with rival Highmark in April.
Calif. Assembly Narrowly Approves Physician-Assisted Suicide Bill
Lawmakers on Wednesday passed a bill that would allow physicians to prescribe life-ending drugs to terminally ill patients. The measure, which is opposed by the Catholic Church and others, must now gain the state senate’s final approval.
Sanders To Introduce Bill Taking Aim At High Prescription Drug Costs
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., a candidate for president, has joined with another lawmaker to advance legislation that would empower Medicare to negotiate pharmaceutical prices. Meanwhile, in Senate campaign news, former U.S. Attorney Conner Eldridge is launching an effort to unseat Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark.
Why Does It Cost So Much To Treat A Snakebite?
The Washington Post examines the hospital and medication costs associated with giving anti-venom. In the meantime, Bloomberg looks at why some venture capitalists’ bet on a diet pill failed.
New Marketplace Options, Shortage Of Primary Care Physicians Is Changing Patient-Doctor Ties
The Associated Press examines the shake-up in the “once-simple doctor-patient relationship, which for generations has served as the gateway to the U.S. health care system.” Also, a study compares doctors’ hospital referral patterns and the American Board of Anesthesiology is opting to allow its members to forego board recertification.
Pilots Pressing UPS On Health Benefits As Part Of Contract Talks
The union is calling for a strike vote to help bolster its bargaining position. Also in employee benefit news, Kraft Heinz is moving some retirees to health exchanges.
Federal Judge Allows Congressional Republicans’ To Press Health Law Challenge
U.S. District Court Judge Rosemary M. Collyer ruled the House can pursue its claim that the administration violated the Constitution when it spent public money that was not appropriated by Congress to pay for the health insurance subsidies.
Kickoff Of Hearings On Planned Parenthood Marked By Partisan Clashes
In the opening salvo of the long-awaited hearings, neither Planned Parenthood nor the anti-abortion group behind the Planned Parenthood sting videos testified.
Some Conservatives Spoil For A Fight On Planned Parenthood Funds As Budget Deadline Looms
Stakes are high in this political showdown, and the White House has issued a warning to Congress over the looming deadline, saying a shutdown would be “wildly irresponsible.”
First Edition: September 10, 2015
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Cut Planned Parenthood Funds Without Shutting Government; Drug Cost Concerns
A selection of opinions about health care from around the country.
Health care stories are reported from Florida, California, New York, Georgia and Washington.
N.Y. Gov. Promises Health Care Aid To Puerto Rico
Some of the assistance promised by Gov. Cuomo was to push Washington to increase federal health funding and program assistance to Puerto Rico.
Mental Health Providers Step In To Coordinate Patient Care
In Connecticut, “behavioral health homes” are becoming more common as efforts to control costs and improve outcomes increase. Elsewhere, congressional efforts to overhaul mental health care are complicated by privacy issues.
Foundation Seeks To Help Cash-Strapped Safety-Net Hospitals Make Necessary Innovations
Elsewhere in hospital news, hospitals face a reduction in drug cost savings if a new proposal is adopted, and a new band of entrepreneurs eye health care convenience for consumers.
UAW Seeks To Expand Successful Retiree Health Program To Serve Current Workers
Officials of the autoworkers union want to use the model of the retiree program they started eight years ago to improve the health coverage for employees at the three big auto companies. Also in the news are two studies about health insurance.
AMA: Insurance Company Mergers Threaten Competition
The American Medical Association said the proposed merger deals involving the nation’s four largest insurers could do harm to consumers and doctors.
Efforts To Repeal Health Law’s ‘Cadillac’ Tax Spotlight Threat To Flexible Spending Accounts
Opponents of the tax, which would apply to generous employer health plans, say that one of the first moves companies would make to avoid the tax is jettison flexible spending accounts for workers. Meanwhile, a legislative fix to another provision that expands the small group market covered by the law could be derailed because of complicated politics.
As Budget Impasse Centers On Planned Parenthood, Cuts To Other Health Programs Possible Too
With some House Republicans threatening to vote against any spending bill that provides federal money to the women’s health organization, the threat of another shutdown grows. Budget negotiations could also impact other health groups’ funding as well.
Nearly 10M People Paid For New Health Law Insurance Plans
This tally, released as part of the federal government’s midyear report, shows a dip from a previous count.
