Latest KFF Health News Stories
Challenges Continue For Rural Hospitals in N.C., Ga.
Meanwhile, news outlets also report on some big changes planned for one Maryland hospital while another one shuts down its inpatient services. In addition, more hospital news from Connecticut and California.
Vets Still Wait For Appointments Despite Extra VA Resources
VA Secretary Robert McDonald said his department has more staff now, but demand is still beating supply of providers in the program. Elsewhere, The Washington Post looks at a federal employee health benefits plan that can cost more for two people than for a family with many children.
Christian Science Training Centers Not Eligible For Medicare Reimbursement
A federal judge ruled four facilities that train nurses affiliated with the Church of Christ, Scientist aren’t entitled to payment from the program. In other Medicare news, wrongdoing-in-billing allegations lead to a $152,000 settlement payment from a dermatology center in Rhode Island.
Doctors And Home Visits: Not Just From The Days Of Yore
Two news outlets explore how some doctors are providing care to patients at home, and a third story looks at a program in Chicago geared to helping patients and doctors talk more clearly about health issues.
Examining Ben Carson’s Dietary Supplement Ties
The Washington Post looks into why some conservatives aren’t more skeptical of the neurosurgeon’s ties to Mannatech. Elsewhere, STAT reports on the GOP presidential hopeful’s record on “death panels.” And Hillary Clinton supports moving medical marijuana out of schedule 1 drug status.
Democratic Leaders Reportedly Work Behind Scenes To Push Obamacare ‘Cadillac Tax’ Repeal
In other congressional news, Rep. Joe Pitts, R-Pa., chair of a key House committee that handles health policy, is set to retire. The Associated Press reports on the Democratic roots of the next House Ways and Means chairman, Kevin Brady. The House select committee on Planned Parenthood will be stacked with women from both parties. And Congress continues to examine the failing health law co-ops.
Cigna And Humana Beat 3Q Profit Forecasts
Both health insurers reported better-than-expected profits. Cigna says higher enrollment in government plans fueled gains, while Humana cites growing Medicare membership.
Justice Department Probes Drug Pricing Practices By Merck, Eli Lilly And Valeant
The drug makers received inquiries from regional U.S. Attorney’s offices seeking information about how they calculate and report drug prices for the Medicaid rebate program. In a separate inquiry, federal prosecutors are investigating allegations of fraudulent Tricare claims by several compounding pharmacies.
Insurance Commissioners Call For Health Plans To Expand Their Networks Of Providers
The commissioners are recommending new standards to make sure consumers have adequate access to doctors and hospitals, The New York Times reports. In other news about the marketplaces’ enrollment, a look at a novel plan in Portland, the problems left when New York’s co-op closes and a variety of stories to help guide consumers picking a plan.
White House Launches Health Law Enrollment Contest
This Obama administration campaign targets 20 cities with high rates of uninsured people eligible for marketplace coverage. The community that signs up the most people will not only get bragging rights, but also a presidential visit.
High Court To Hear Challenge To Health Law’s Contraception Mandate
This will mark the fourth time a provision of the 2010 federal health overhaul has been challenged before the Supreme Court.
State Election Tallies Deal Blow To Health Law Implementation Efforts
In Kentucky, Gov.-Elect Matt Bevin, a Republican, has made clear that he intends to phase out Kynect, the state’s health insurance exchange, and instead have the state by 2016 use the federal marketplace, healthcare.gov. Bevin also plans to alter the state’s Medicaid expansion by seeking a federal waiver to “customize something for Kentucky.”
Viewpoints: Keep Health Costs Down; Political Riders May Heat Up Budget Battle
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Research Roundup: Medicaid’s Obesity Costs; Where Kids Get Mental Health Care
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
News outlets report on health issues in California, Oregon, Washington, Florida, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts,
The rally included thousands of island residents — some of whom were hospital workers wearing scrubs — and a U.S. delegation featuring legislators, officials and labor and civil rights advocates. The demonstrators hope to focus attention on the U.S. territory’s Medicaid reimbursement rates, which are reportedly 70 percent lower than rates on the mainland.
Kansas Medicaid Costs Likely To Exceed 2016 Estimates
In other state-level Medicaid news, AstraZeneca and Teva reached a multistate agreement in a Medicaid drug pricing case.
Budget Deal Will Impact Medicare Hospital Reimbursement Rates
In other Medicare news, a rate freeze on a popular Medigap plan in Michigan is set to expire.
Sanders Seeks To Regain Campain-Trail Momentum By Pushing Policy Initiatives
The Democratic candidate is looking at speeches that will likely include policy proposals on family and medical leave, a Medicare-for-all health care system and an expansion of Social Security benefits. The speeches are under consideration as Sen. Bernie Sanders is losing the battle for support among unions. Meanwhile, rival Hillary Clinton will meet with insurers. News outlets also report campaign trail news from Ben Carson and Jeb Bush, both candidates for the Republican presidential nomination.
House Panel Advances Mental Health Bill, But Dems Complain Their Concerns Weren’t Met
In a fierce clash at the hearing, Democratic lawmakers say that they were not allowed to contribute to the bill, despite promises that their issues would be addressed.
