Latest KFF Health News Stories
Report: Nearly Half Of Americans Are Either Diabetic Or Pre-Diabetic
A paper published Tuesday in JAMA reported this finding, but surprisingly, experts view this as a positive sign because for the first time in two decades the prevalence of diabetes is starting to plateau.
First Edition: September 9, 2015
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Trump And GOP Orthodoxy; Limiting Abortions; Lower Price For New Statins
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Health care stories are reported from California, West Virginia, Minnesota, Texas, Maryland, Colorado, Virginia, Illinois and Kansas.
Washington State Planned Parenthood Fire Ruled Arson
The clinic, near the Idaho border, suffered significant damage that may shutter it for a month or more, a Planned Parenthood spokeswoman said.
Families Find New Strategies To Fight Children’s Rare Diseases
Many of these diseases don’t get large amounts of research funding, so parents are forced to try to find alternatives. The New York Times and The Washington Post look at some of these efforts.
Food-Industry War Escalates Over Bioengineered Foods, Drawing In Academics On Both Sides
The New York Times offers two stories looking at disputes on genetically modified food and new labels for meat.
Shortage Of Psychiatrists Hurts Patients As Demand For Services Rises
State officials are taking steps to address the gap as lower pay, reimbursement difficulties and paperwork requirements discourage more medical students from going into the specialty. In other mental health news, doctors are encouraged to screen teenagers for depression and hospitals are detaining more patients.
Researchers Try New Approach To Getting Patients To Take Their Medication
In other public health news, colleges push meningitis B vaccinations, whooping cough is likely more spread from siblings than from mother to child, some cucumbers are recalled over a salmonella outbreak and the FDA examines caffeine overdoses.
Veteran’s Quest For ‘Foot That Fits’ Highlights Women’s Issues In VA Care
The Department of Veterans Affairs is struggling to address the needs of women when they return home from service. In other VA news, a closer look at one suicide-prevention program and the VA’s claims backlog affects veterans who live in Nevada.
CEO Looks For Cost Answers At Her Own Hospital
Elsewhere, a federal watchdog questions if parents of premature babies in a clinical trial were properly warned of some risks; a new medical coding system also pushes quality of care; more business develops around certifying doctors, and social workers are better integrated into primary care in Connecticut.
Doctors Group Critical Of Proposed Health Insurer Mergers
The American Medical Association will release a report Tuesday finding that if Anthem acquires Cigna, competition in an already concentrated health insurance marketplace would become even more reduced. In the meantime, Aetna’s CEO, Mark Bertolini, touts his company’s increase in its minimum wage, greater benefits and stock price rise after its merger with Humana.
Rubio, After Visiting Site Of Charleston Shooting, Talks Medicare Costs, Tax Code
The GOP presidential hopeful is also engaged in a battle with Hillary Clinton over voters from Puerto Rico. Elsewhere in presidential race news, a claim by Ben Carson about welfare is fact-checked.
Medicare’s Test Of New Insurance Program May Influence Commercial Insurer Plans
The study involves the Medicare Advantage program, and officials hope it will lower out-of-pocket costs for chronically ill patients who seek high-value services and providers. Also in news about Medicare pilot projects, an Iowa insurer reports that the accountable care organizations there saved money.
Meanwhile, 12 states participating in a test program are evaluating its success for managing the costs and care for Americans who are eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare.
Maryland Insurer Announces 26 Percent Rate Increase
The rise is for a popular plan CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield plan. Meanwhile, Iowa employers see a rise in their rates too, and Democratic lawmakers in Wisconsin react to increasing rates there.
Native Americans Urged To Consider Enrolling In Obamacare Policies
Advocates say the health law policies offer new choices and financial relief for struggling Indian hospitals and clinics. But on the flip side of the issue for Native Americans, one tribe is fighting its designation as a large employer under the law because of the requirements to provide coverage to workers.
Spending Bills, Dispute On Planned Parenthood Await Congress As Lawmakers Return
This month, Congress has a full plate as members seek to fund the government for the fiscal year that starts in October. But conservatives are calling for an end to government funding of Planned Parenthood, and GOP leaders are trying to find a way to avoid a government shutdown.
Administration Cracking Down On Medicare And Medicaid Billing Cheats
With tens of billions of dollars lost each year through improper payments to doctors and medical facilities, the federal government is adopting a “more aggressive strategy” for targeting fraudulent claims.
Obama Orders Government Contractors To Give Workers Paid Sick Leave
The order requires employees be provided at least seven paid sick days a year.
