Latest KFF Health News Stories
News outlets report on health issues in California, Virginia, Colorado, Massachusetts, Florida, Missouri and Texas.
In other state-based hospital news, an expansion is under consideration for Florida’s Jackson Health System and leaders in Yadkin County, North Carolina, are working toward reopening a community hospital.
Although Political Battles Are Over, N.C. Medicaid Transition Still Expected To Take Time
State officials are only in the early stages of building a new managed care program. Also in the news are concerns among Ohio families about Medicaid cutbacks in home nursing care, and an Idaho woman’s death is a reminder of the stakes in the Medicaid expansion battles.
Weakness In Biotech Sector Spreads As Valeant Continues To Defend Itself
The Wall Street Journal reports that the drug maker Valeant, already under scrutiny for its use of specialty pharmacies to distribute its drugs, placed employees at the specialty pharmacy, Philidor Rx Services, but their role was not always clear to other workers. Meanwhile, the drug company held a conference call to address questions raised about its business practices and to announce a committee to review the allegations.
On The Campaign Trail, Ben Carson Rises In Polls, Wades Into Medicare, Abortion Politics
GOP presidential hopeful Ben Carson said Sunday his plan wasn’t to do away with Medicare entirely but instead rely on government-backed health savings accounts for older Americans. He also offered strong words as he outlined his opposition to abortion.
Did Romneycare Lead To Obamacare? Romney Credits His Plan For Health Law
While running for president in 2008, Mitt Romney denied a connection between the health law he pushed while governor of Massachusetts to the one championed by President Barack Obama. But in an interview last week he said, “Without Romneycare, I don’t think we would have Obamacare.” Romney has since walked back that apparent praise.
New Obamacare Lawsuit Challenges Tax-Raising Bill Origination
The appeal to the Supreme Court by the Pacific Legal Foundation says the health law violates the Constitution because it raises taxes, but did not originate in the House of Representatives. Elsewhere, Kansas joins up with Texas and Louisiana in challenging the health law’s insurer provider fee.
As More Co-Op Insurers Fail, Consumers Face More Limited Health Care Options
With a third of these cooperatives announcing they will be shuttering in recent weeks, thousands are left scrambling to find alternative health insurance for next year. The collapse of one of those, Kentucky Health Cooperative, is now also playing a role in the hotly contested governor race that will be decided in a few weeks.
Countdown To Health Law Open Enrollment Is On, And Outreach Strategies Are Taking Shape
Most people involved in this year’s efforts to sign people up for new coverage agree that the stakes are higher and the uninsured populations will be more difficult to reach.
Revamped Healthcare.gov Website Debuts
Federal officials say the online insurance marketplace includes many upgrades and improvements, though some key elements — such as tools that help consumers search for plans that cover specific doctors and prescription drugs — will not be ready in time for the Nov. 1 start of open enrollment season.
First Edition: October 26, 2015
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Misplaced Blame On Co-Ops; Is Ryan Doomed?; Lack Of Family Leave
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
News outlets report on health issues in California, Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Washington and Missouri.
Texas Investigators Subpoena Planned Parenthood Records, Raid Clinics
As Texas moves to pull state Medicaid funding from the reproductive health organization, health officials served subpoenas seeking patient and staff records dating back to 2010. Planned Parenthood says the Texas Office of the Inspector General also carried out raids on several of its facilities across the state.
FDA Warns AbbVie’s Hepatitis C Drugs Could Harm Liver
Some patients with advanced forms of the disease experienced liver failure, the FDA says, after taking Viekira Pak and Technivie. Gilead, which makes a rival hepatitis C drug, may benefit, analysts say.
Hospital Stocks Fall On News That Major Chain Reports Disappointing Earnings
Analysts cut their ratings and stock fell for Community Health Systems after the hospital chain did not meet third-quarter earnings expectations, due to a decrease in patient admissions and in the percentage of patients with private insurance.
Valeant Plans To Dispute Negative Report As Woes Drag Down Pharma Market
Valeant Pharmaceuticals will hold a press conference Monday to “lay out the facts” regarding a report that criticized the company’s business practices. Secondary loan prices and stocks for drug and biotechnology companies have also been impacted by the spotlight on Valeant.
Hopes Fade For Congressional Intervention To Block Medicare Premium Hike
Though there is bipartisan interest in a fix, lawmakers are struggling to find an offset to pay for this change. The premium cost increase, which stems from the fact that there will be no Social Security cost-of-living adjustment this year, would impact a large percentage of Medicare beneficiaries.
With Debt Ceiling Challenges Looming, Ryan Makes Bid To Become House Speaker
Meanwhile, the race to succeed Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., as chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee is heating up.
Texas, Louisiana and Kansas Sue Obama Administration Over Health Law Fee
Attorneys general from the three states filed a lawsuit against the Department of Health and Human Services and the Internal Revenue Service, challenging the Health Insurance Providers Fee that helps pay for Obamacare.
