Latest KFF Health News Stories
‘Largest Doctor’s Office In The World’: Nonprofit ‘Pop-Up’ Clinics Expand Medical Safety Net
Volunteer-based events allow patients to see a doctor or dentist — even if it’s only for a day. Meanwhile, news outlets report on more public health stories on employee weight loss incentives, genetic testing, growing income-based health care disparities, palliative care and heartburn treatment risks.
Lack Of Understanding Of Zika Makes Virus More ‘Insidious, Cunning And Evil’ Than Ebola
The mystery surrounding the virus has impeded efforts of world health officials. In other Zika news, Venezuela is hit hard by an outbreak, the virus sparks a pharmaceutical gold rush, WHO says a Zika test is only weeks away, and Catholic leaders aren’t changing their opinion on contraception and abortion.
Scientists Call For DNA From Patients With Metastatic Breast Cancer
The request is part of an expansive project to shine a spotlight on the type of cancer that activists say has not been studied enough. Meanwhile, cancer researchers are flocking to an Ohio database which holds detailed information on cancer patients from around the country, and a new questionnaire might help determine if cancer patients are feeling extreme financial stress from their treatments.
Special Report: Baltimore’s Other Divide
Reporters from Kaiser Health News and the University of Maryland’s Philip Merrill College of Journalism spent much of the fall in and around Sandtown-Winchester, a Baltimore neighborhood where violence flared last year after Freddie Gray was fatally injured in police custody. Residents say they have little more confidence in the medical system intended to heal them than in the criminal justice system intended to protect them.
Despite Payment Cuts, Medicare Advantage Plan Enrollments Rise More Than 50 Percent
The trend bucks experts who predicted that the private plans would be gutted by the health law measure that cut payments to the private insurance programs. In other Obamacare news, 2016 sign-ups fall short of estimates made in 2010 and delayed tax forms are confusing consumers.
After Scalia’s Death, Health Care Cases Hang In Balance
The Supreme Court is set to hear several health care cases, including ones on abortion, insurers, and the health care law. If the court is split 4-4, the decision of the lower court is upheld.
Personal Attacks Ramp Up At Rowdy GOP Debate
At the contentious Republican debate on Saturday night, Gov. John Kasich defended his Medicaid expansion, which is a common theme for his campaign. Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton says Bernie Sanders’ health care plan — the cost of which left-leaning economists are questioning — would lead to consumers having to give up their insurance.
First Edition: February 16, 2016
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: For Sanders And Clinton, More Sparring Over Health Care; Autism As A Campaign Issue
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Research Roundup: Vaccines For Children Program; Employer Health Plan Differences
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
News outlets report on health issues Wisconsin, Kansas, Kentucky, California, Ohio, Nebraska, North Carolina, Massachusetts and Montana.
Baptist Health, Memorial Sloan Kettering Announce Miami Cancer Center Partnership
In more state hospital news, Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis will test patient care in its new, 21-bed neurological wing; and the recently installed New Carolinas CEO Eugene “Gene” Woods offers his thoughts on the future of health care.
Iowa Senate Approves Bill That Would Stop The Transfer Of Medicaid To Managed Care Plans
The measure, however, is not expected to get any traction in the Iowa House.
VA Stands By Limited Agent Orange Benefits Policy
Compensation has been turned down again for Navy veterans who served off the coast of Vietnam, who advocates say were exposed because their ships sucked in potentially contaminated water.
Why Eliminating Zika Mosquito Species Is ‘Guerrilla Warfare’
Because of its habits — such as hiding at night — the species of mosquito that carries Zika and other viruses is particularly hard to kill. Meanwhile, a research hospital in Texas has signed an agreement with Brazil to develop a vaccine, NIH officials say a vaccine might be ready to test by summer, and the CDC reports that two women who were infected while traveling have had miscarriages.
Opioid Treatment Demand Puts Strain On Limited Resources
As the nation fights an epidemic, a shortage of doctors and medication hamper the efforts. Meanwhile, Democrats on Capitol Hill are calling for more funding, but are running up against Republican resistance.
Debate Over Arming Guards At Hospitals Grows With Increasing Number Of Deadly Encounters
Health care professionals are divided over the issue as they weigh the safety of their institution and the possible harm that could befall patients. But for one man who was seeking treatment and ended up with a bullet in his chest, the answer is clear.
Medicare Providers Liable For Six Years Of Overpayments, CMS Final Rule States
The proposed rule would have required providers to report overpayments going back 10 years.
In The UK, GlaxoSmithKline Faces $53 Million Fine Over Generic Drug Delay
The pharmaceutical company was fined by the United Kingdom’s Competition and Markets Authority for deals to delay the launch of cheap generic copies of its blockbuster antidepressant Seroxat. The regulator considered the deals to be market abuse, and the action follows steps taken by U.S. and European antitrust regulators.
Patient First Stops Accepting Some Anthem Plans In Mid-Atlantic Care Centers
In other insurance marketplace news, Centene, a Medicaid coverage provider, stops its search for six missing hard drives that contained personal information for an estimated 950,000 customers. Meanwhile, a new analysis from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation examines hospital participation in marketplace-plan networks.
