Latest KFF Health News Stories
GOP Readies For Hill Fight On Health Law And Planned Parenthood
The Associated Press examines the tactics and issues that will be involved in the Republican push to overturn the 2010 health law and federal funding of Planned Parenthood. Also, Politico Pro looks at competing congressional strategies on mental health overhauls.
In Some Cities And States, Medicaid Expansion Funds Provide Help To Homeless People
Meanwhile, in Alabama, a recent state task force recommendation gives the idea of Medicaid expansion additional momentum.
Study Finds Link Between Early Cervical Cancer Detection And Young Women’s Increased Health Coverage
Researchers find a substantial increase in the number of women under the age of 26 who get a diagnosis of early-stage cervical cancer since the implementation of the health law, which allowed young adults to stay on their parents’ plans until that age.
Early Effort By Rubio To Limit Federal Payments To Insurers Is At Heart Of Current Turmoil
Some of the co-op failures and the threat from UnitedHealthcare about a possible pull-out in 2017 are prompted by low levels of federal payments to help shield insurers from losses in the exchanges. Rubio helped lead an effort to stop those payments. Meanwhile, HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell says she is trying to get more information about costs to consumers.
Viewpoints: Pfizer’s Merger Won’t Help Health; Zuckerberg Sets Standard With Paternity Leave
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
State Highlights: N.Y. Seeks Payments From Disabled Who Were Abused; Cancer Surgeries In Calif.
News outlets report on health care developments in New York, California, Iowa, Georgia and New Jersey.
Specialty Medicines Injected By Doctors Straining Budgets Of Medicare And Patients
A study finds that these drugs that must be administered under doctor supervision cost Medicare $20.9 billion in 2013, while the out-of-pocket share for Medicare Part B beneficiaries ranged from $1,900 to $107,000. In other Medicare news, KHN reports on the end of a bonus program that will impact primary care doctors’ pay, and Reuters writes about adult children struggling to care for two parents at once.
Four In 10 Americans Have Known Someone Addicted To Painkillers
The poll from the Kaiser Family Foundation also shows that a quarter of the respondents had a close friend or family member people who is addicted.
Earlier Hep C Treatment With Pricey New Drugs May Be More Cost-Effective Than Waiting
A computer simulation finds that treating the disease when liver damage first begins can save money over the long run, especially if the cost of the new generation drugs is addressed. Some insurers won’t cover the treatment until a patient’s liver disease is advanced. In related news, NPR reports on the financial and public health calculations of the expensive hepatitis C prescriptions in prisons.
Pre-Diabetes A Likely Condition For Nearly Half Of All 45-Year-Olds, Study Says
A large Dutch study used population estimates to draw this conclusion. Pre-diabetes has no clear symptoms, according to reports, but people with blood tests indicating higher than normal blood sugar should be tested regularly for diabetes. In other public health news, the Food and Drug Administration is targeting inaccurate medical tests, and as the U.S. surgeon general works on a serious public health agenda that includes addressing substance abuse, gun violence and mental health issues, he is also emphasizing happiness as a way to prevent disease and be healthy.
Federal Appeals Court Rules Against Wis. Abortion Law That Mandates Doctor Credentials
The state law requires doctors who perform abortions to have admitting privileges at a local hospital. Nearly a dozen states have similar provisions, and the U.S. Supreme Court will hear a case on the issue this term. Meanwhile in Texas, women must navigate a growing number of obstacles to terminate a pregnancy, and Planned Parenthood sues the state over its threat to end Medicaid funding for the health organization.
Gallup Poll: More Than Half In U.S. Think Health Insurance Is A Gov’t Responsibility
Even with this finding, though, the health law continues to enjoy only mixed support. Meanwhile, Politico Pro examines what some mid-sized businesses, which must begin offering health coverage to their employees in January, think about the health law’s Medicaid expansion. Also, The Fiscal Times reports on a study that highlights the importance of shopping around during this open enrollment season.
Financing For Sanders’ Plan To Expand Medicare To All Is Not Yet Clear
USA Today examines the Democratic presidential candidate’s tax proposals. Also, the announcement of a blockbuster merger involving a U.S. and Irish firm drew comments from some candidates.
CVS’ Drug-Benefits Unit Makes Exclusive Deal To Cover Amgen’s New Cholesterol Drug
The agreement, which makes Repatha the only drug in a new class of cholesterol-lowering medicines that will be covered by Caremark — the CVS pharmacy benefits manager — excludes a competing drug from Regeneron and Sanofi.
After Merger To Create ‘Drug Behemoth,’ Pfizer Already Considering Splitting New Company
The Wall Street Journal reports that Pfizer officials have considered splits before but now may be ready to do it. Also, the announcement of the megamerger with Allergan has set off concerns about competition in the health care industry, high drug prices and U.S. tax policy.
Viewpoints: United HealthCare’s Warning; BlueShield’s Promise In Calif.; Drug-Pricing ‘Takeover’
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
A selection of health care stories from California, Oregon, Montana, the District of Columbia, Illinois, South Dakota, Massachusetts, Michigan, Georgia, North Carolina and Kansas.
Children’s Anxiety When Living In Violent Environments Can Cause Sleep Troubles
Many kids who live in fear of violence in their neighborhoods suffer from nightmares and sleep disorders. As a result they are not getting enough sleep, and that’s affecting their behavior and academic performance, experts say. In related news, hospital workers in San Francisco work to keep schoolchildren safe as as the kids walk to after-school activities.
Data Highlight Racial Disparities In NIH Funding
In a review of information gained through a Freedom of Information Act request, Marketplace reports on a pattern of lower approval levels for grant applications filed by minority researchers. Also in the news, a look at how different ethnic groups view end-of-life care and the Food and Drug Administration advisory panel is poised to recommend approval of the first drugs to aid patients with muscular dystrophy.
Nixon’s ‘War On Drugs’–Now More Than 40 Years Old–Struggles On As Death Toll Rises
The New York Times takes a retrospective look at drug addiction. Overdoses kill 44,000 Americans a year, more than die in car crashes or gun violence. Also, The Washington Post describes how drug users often turn to an antidote to help others who overdose.
