Latest KFF Health News Stories
News outlets report on health issues in Texas, Pennsylvania, Florida, Iowa, Maryland and New York.
HHS Secretary Burwell Visits Dallas As Fight Over Planned Parenthood Funding Intensifies
In related news, CQ Healthbeat examines issues related to women’s health services in Southern states — especially those trying to cut off funding for the reproductive health organization.
On Campaign Trail, Clinton Expresses Outrage About Delays In VA Health System
The Democratic presidential hopeful’s comments on Monday came after her earlier statements — namely, that last year’s VA scandal was overblown and used by congressional Republicans for political gain — drew a backlash from some veterans’ organizations.
All Overweight Adults Should Have Blood Sugar Levels Tested, U.S. Task Force Urges
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force now says all 40- to 70-year-old Americans who are overweight or obese should have their blood sugar screened to try to catch people who are on the road to developing diabetes. Previous testing guidelines made no mention of weight.
Costs Of Care For Dementia Patients Soar In Last Months Of Life, Study Finds
Researchers found that end-of-life spending can be almost twice as much as for patients who suffer from a different disease.
Tips For Medicare’s Open Enrollment Season
A consumer advocate offers advice to seniors. Elsewhere, The San Antonio Express News offers an explanation of common insurance acronyms.
Valeant Defends Its Activities And Forms Committee To Probe Pharmacy Relationships
Other Valeant news reporting focuses on a Federal Trade Commission investigation of the company’s contact lens business as well as the specialty pharmacy, Philidor Rx Services, at the center of the allegations.
Kansas Health Law Challenge Mirrors What State Already Did
State Democrats point out that even as Kansas officials have joined a lawsuit seeking to repeal the federal tax on health plans, Kansas legislators imposed a similar tax in June. In the meantime, a constitutional challenge to the law is filed with the Supreme Court.
States Gauge Health Exchange Rate Increases, Brace For Open Season
Officials expressed confidence in the readiness of Colorado’s exchange while reports indicate that consumers in Illinois and Arizona will experience increases in coverage costs.
Health Law Marketplace Plan Costs To Go Up An Average Of 7.5 Percent
This estimate, offered Monday by Health and Human Services officials, is based on the benchmark second-lowest silver-level plan.
White House, Congressional Leaders Strike Tentative Deal To Avert Budget Crisis
Reports indicate that the agreement, which will likely face opposition from the right and left, would be paid for with a combination of health care savings and smaller revenue-raisers. A House vote could be held as soon as Wednesday.
Novartis To Pay $390M To Settle Justice Department Suit Over Alleged Specialty Pharmacy Kickbacks
In other news about the drug company, the Food and Drug Administration finds no evidence that Novartis’ Parkinson’s disease treatment, Stalevo, increases heart risks.
First Edition: October 27, 2015
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
House Republicans Pass Budget Bill That Would Repeal Core Health Law Elements
The measure, which also would stop federal funding for Planned Parenthood, faces an uncertain path in the Senate and, if approved, a likely veto from President Barack Obama. Observers say these dynamics loom as the government is just days away from defaulting on its debt unless Congress takes action.
Viewpoints: Health Law Enrollment Lags; Paul Ryan’s Challenge; New Mammography Debate
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
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.
