Latest KFF Health News Stories
Medicare Advantage Plan Ratings May Be Adjusted After Fairness Complaints
Elsewhere, a proposal to stave off a $54-per-month increase in Medicare premiums for some seniors could lead to a budget battle on Capitol Hill.
Jeb Bush’s Wealth Linked To Tenet Healthcare, Other Companies That Did Business With Florida
The New York Times reviews the finances of the former Florida governor, who has been critical of officials who trade on their connections. Elsewhere on the trail, Marco Rubio’s calls for a repeal of the health law resonate with conservatives. And Hillary Clinton blasts the Iowa governor’s plan to move to Medicaid managed care.
Start-Up Collective Health Tackles Notoriously Complicated Health Insurance Sector
In other health industry news, Gritstone Oncology receives $102 million to fund the development of personalized cancer treatments, while Amino builds an online consumer service driven by its vast collection of medical treatment data.
Staggering Drug Price Hikes As High As 1,200% Driven By Hedge Funds, Activist Group Says
An analysis by Hedge Clippers, an activist group, found 19 drugs have experienced stunning price hikes of between 300 percent and 1,200 percent over the past two years, and most of the companies responsible were backed by private capital. In related news, NBC News reports on “pay-to-delay” deals that drug makers employ to stave off generics.
Cancer Society Updates Mammogram Guidelines
The American Cancer Society said Tuesday that women should start getting the screening test at a later age — 45 instead of 40 — and fewer of them.
After $3 Million Loss, Dartmouth-Hitchcock To Leave Pioneer ACO Program
The medical center says the Pioneer accountable care organization model is “unsustainable.” KHN also queries experts on whether they think ACOs are working.
GOP Candidates In La. Say They Want Federal Waivers Before Seeking Medicaid Expansion
The three Republicans running for governor, who all have said they would be open to expanding Medicaid to provide health coverage to the state’s low-income residents, said they would want to modify the option provided in the health law to meet their concerns. Also in the news, Alabama’s governor suggests he is weighing an expansion, although he is not expecting to act soon.
The Obama administration is stepping up its defense of this part of the 2010 health law in the face of attacks not only by Republicans in Congress, but by some Democrats, too. Meanwhile, news outlets also report on how the undoing of some health insurance co-ops could bring higher costs to the marketplace.
On Capitol Hill, Lawmakers Weigh Possible Plans To Raise The Debt Ceiling
Some GOP House members are pushing for a bill that would have “strings attached” — some of which include finding savings in Medicare and Medicaid. Many Republicans also are blaming the Democrats and the health law for the failure of the Obamacare co-ops. Meanwhile, 10 House Democrats are urging that Medicare cover the cost of end-of-life discussions.
Ryan Says He Will Agree To Take Speaker’s Job, But Only If GOP Caucus Unifies Behind Him
The House Republicans’ leadership struggle has complicated the fall legislative calendar, which includes must-pass items such as the measure to raise the federal debt limit.
First Edition: October 21, 2015
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Cynical Surprise At Co-Ops’ Problems; Bernie Sanders On His Health Plan
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
News outlets report on health issues in Georgia, Illinois, Connecticut, Nevada, California, North Carolina, Wyoming, Michigan, Ohio and Iowa.
Michigan Lawmakers Seek To Ease Nursing Home Woes With Bills
The bills would address staff shortages, establish nurse-to-patient ratios and prohibit mandatory overtime. Elsewhere, new federal rules could make it easier to sue nursing homes, and the home health industry in Georgia faces its own nurse shortage woes.
Detroit’s Last Remaining Independent Hospital Is Still Open — Barely
Doctors’ Hospital in Pontiac, Mich., nearly closed last month but could be moving toward new private ownership. Meanwhile, news outlets report on other hospital developments in Florida, Georgia and Illinois.
News outlets report on other state-level Medicaid news from Arkansas and North Carolina.
News outlets report on the continuing funding battles related to Planned Parenthood and the Medicaid program.
Landmark Study Finds Talk Therapy Eases Schizophrenia
The chances of easing the symptoms of the mental health disorder increase dramatically when talk therapy and small doses of antipsychotic medicines are used in tandem, a study finds.
Republicans Start Work To Increase Debt Limit, Find New Speaker
And Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., is said to be more open to running for speaker of the House. In the meantime, a Nebraska senator is blocking two Department of Health and Human Services nominees over troubles faced by the health-law-created insurers known as co-ops.
Drug Testing Lab Millennium Health To Settle Federal Suit For $256M
The government alleged that the largest U.S. lab-testing company charged Medicare for unnecessary tests and provided gifts to doctors in exchange for referrals. Millennium Health is expected to file for bankruptcy by Nov. 10 as part of a corporate restructuring.
