Latest KFF Health News Stories
First Edition: January 26, 2016
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Health Law Unhappiness?; Single-Payer And The ‘Continental Divide’
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
State Highlights: Rural Hospital Crisis Continues; Utahns Want More Open Talk About Health Care Plan
News outlets report on health care developments in Georgia, South Carolina, Utah, Maryland, New York, West Virginia, Virginia, Massachusetts and Kansas.
Three Of Four Children Covered By Medicaid Don’t Get Required Dental Care
Federal watchdog also finds that a quarter of these children don’t see a dentist at all. Two key parts of the problem are that few dentists take the low Medicaid reimbursements and many consumers don’t realize the importance of dental care. Other articles look at Medicaid news in Iowa, Nevada and Alaska.
Consumers Want Privacy Wall Around Personal Health Info, Tech Execs Find
In the future, people may be willing to pay to ensure their health care information remains private, technology experts say. In other health IT news, Epic Systems is finding success in the expanding electronic health records market.
Employers, Regulators Struggle To Navigate The Do’s And Don’ts Of Wellness Programs
The Equal Opportunity Employment Commission argues against the programs, saying they violate anti-discrimination laws, but the agency is facing a series of setbacks at court as proponents champion the health care savings the programs engender. Elsewhere, The Washington Post looks at government neglect and the Flint water crisis.
As Drug Cost Battle Is Waged, Patients Could Lose Access To Favored Medications
Prescription management organizations are trying to spark a price war between pharmaceutical companies, but patients could be forced to switch to a different brand of medication in the process. In other pharmaceutical news, drug shortages in ERs have spiked and scientists are turning to a decades-old treatment to help curb a growing resistance to antibiotics.
‘Widespread And Systemic Failures’ Cited In Cigna Medicare Advantage Suspension
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said Cigna did not handle complaints and grievances from patients properly. The suspension will not affect those already enrolled.
Utah Lawmakers May Weigh New Options For Expanding Medicaid
Utah legislators have been hesitant to move forward with the health law’s Medicaid expansion, but several are planning to propose other ways to cover low-income residents. Also in the news, three Georgia lawmakers debate expansion.
As Enrollment Deadline Nears, Obama Praises Health Law Successes In Radio Address
“It’s making a difference for millions of Americans every day [and] it is only going to get better,” the president says. Also in the news, a look at some health plans that exclude outpatient surgeries, Ohio’s lagging enrollment effort, the latest Mississippi figures and the House’s postponement of a vote on health care.
Clinton Reminds Voters She Wanted Universal Health Care First
Hillary Clinton says she just has a different way of working toward providing coverage to everyone than her opponent Bernie Sanders. Meanwhile, Bloomberg News examines her claims that “HillaryCare” was the precursor to the Affordable Care Act. And, Sanders’ “Medicare-for-all” proposal would hit working seniors with tax increases.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Research Roundup: Marketplace Competition; Rural Health IT; HIV Testing; Abortion Coverage
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Viewpoints: Ask Clinton About Her Health Plan; Ill. ‘Bait And Switch’; Improving Hearing
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
News outlets report on health care developments in Virginia, Hawaii, California, Florida, Delaware, Texas, Colorado and Missouri.
States Face Difficulties In Move To Managed Care For Medicaid’s Long-Term Care Patients
As about half the states work to keep costs down through these managed care plans, enrollees and their families have faced a rocky transition, The Chicago Tribune reports. In other Medicaid news, federal officials set a new rule on outpatient drug reimbursement, Vermont’s governor proposes some changes to help the budget and the debate in Iowa over moving to managed care intensifies.
Federal Limits On Anti-Addiction Medication Stymies Treatment For Hard-Hit Communities
Due to federal law, fewer than 32,000 physicians in the country are able to prescribe buprenorphine, which has been shown to offer a greater chance at recovery from opioid addiction. Meanwhile, in Ohio, thousands have been saved by the use of Naloxone in the first nine months of 2015.
Decision On Kansas Ban Of Second-Trimester Abortion Method Expected Friday
The 2015 law prohibits doctors from a common practice of using forceps or similar instruments on a live fetus to remove it from the womb in pieces. Two abortion providers filed a lawsuit against the ban, which was the first in the nation. In other news, a new app looks to cut the doctor’s office out of birth control access.
Drug Makers’ Funding To Patient Groups Has Stifled Crucial Voice In Cost Debate, Critics Say
But one reason for the lack of interest in the topic could be that the organizations are focused on developing drugs to cure diseases. Meanwhile, Johnson & Johnson is halting trials of drugs in the same class as the one that left a patient brain dead and five others hospitalized in France.
Aetna-Humana Deal Could Cause Medicare Advantage Costs To Increase: Report
The Center for American Progress found the proposed purchase of Humana by Aetna could lead to increased premium costs for seniors with these private Medicare plans. Meanwhile, California’s four largest health plans may owe the state an estimated $10 billion in back taxes — depending on the outcome of a pending legal case.
