Latest KFF Health News Stories
Texas Judge Announces Plans To Block Medicaid Cuts To Therapists
The Travis County judge says the payment changes would be an “imminent and irreparable injury” to children with disabilities.
N.C. Legislature Approves Medicaid Privatization; Measure Now Must Be Signed By Gov. McCrory
The far-reaching state legislation that seeks to change how North Carolina pays for Medicaid patient treatment is the result of a compromise that was years in the making.
VA Whistleblowers Still Face Retaliation Despite Agency’s Pledge To Stop Punishments, Workers Say
A group of employees testified at a Senate hearing about a “culture of fear” at the Department of Veterans Affairs and said that little has changed for those who speak up about wrong doing or violations.
IOM: Diagnoses Often Are Wrong, Late; System Improvement Urgent But Difficult To Achieve
A new report by a blue-ribbon Institute of Medicine panel estimated that U.S. patients annually deal with about 12 million diagnostic errors — some of which are lethal.
Bankrupt Patriot Coal Seeks Court Permission To End Retiree Health Plans
Also in the news, Ford will expand its experimental employee wellness program.
Turing CEO To Roll Back 4,000-Percent Cost Hike For AIDS Drug To ‘More Affordable’ Price
CNN Money also profiles Martin Shkreli, the controversial Turing Pharmaceuticals chief executive who has gained notoriety through his company’s pricing move and subsequent defense on social media.
Workers Pay Greater Share As Employers Shift Health Costs, Survey Finds
The survey, conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Health Research & Educational Trust (Kaiser Health News is an editorially independent program of the foundation), found that moderate increases in health insurance premiums masked employees’ rising out-of-pocket exposure.
Clinton’s Plan To Control Prescription Drug Costs Features Cap On Out-Of-Pocket Expenses
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton’s proposal would also allow Medicare to negotiate lower drug costs and increase federal scrutiny of pharmaceutical company pricing.
Aetna, Anthem CEOs Tell Senators That Super-Mergers Won’t Stifle Insurer Competition
The executives defended their planned mergers before a Senate subcommittee Tuesday, saying consumers would benefit from the consolidation. But some senators expressed doubts. If Aetna acquires Humana and Anthem buys Cigna, as proposed, the top five U.S. health insurers would shrink to a big three.
Senate Is Focal Point Of Plans To Avert Looming Government Shutdown
With just days remaining before the Oct. 1 budget deadline, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., is setting up votes to mollify the conservative wing of his party to clear a pathway to pass a temporary spending bill that would keep the federal government open and operating.
Ky. Governor Defends State’s Medicaid Expansion Against Republican Candidate’s Complaints
Gov. Steve Beshear, who is not a candidate in the coming election, said the expansion has helped thousands of state residents and was designed to work effectively. Also, officials in Vermont are nervous about growing Medicaid costs, and in New Hampshire there are concerns about how a change to the Medicaid program would affect drug abuse programs.
State Officials Find Deficiencies In N.Y. Health Marketplace Controls
Controls that New York used to screen insurance applicants for coverage and subsidies were deficient, a state audit found. Also in the news are developments in Vermont and Washington state.
For Obamacare, Upcoming Enrollment Season Will Be Toughest Yet, Burwell Says
HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell says the administration estimates that nearly 18 million people have gained insurance so far as a result of the health law, but officials will now be setting their sights on the less eager consumers.
First Edition: September 23, 2015
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: GOP Candidates And The Health Law; Voters Paying Attention To Drug Costs
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Health care stories are reported from Iowa, Florida, Georgia, California, Missouri, Oregon, Kansas, Utah, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Illinois.
N.C. Closer To Changing How Medicaid Pays Doctors
Legislation may soon pass there that would give Medicaid providers a set amount of money per patient per month instead of the traditional fee-for-service model. Elsewhere, questions are raised in Texas around who will take the heat for impending cuts to Medicaid.
Calif. Website Will Help Consumers With Health Care Comparison Shopping
The site, created by UC-San Francisco researchers and Consumer Reports for the state insurance agency, provides information on average costs for common conditions and procedures, as well as quality scores for providers.
FDA To Review Birth Control Implant Safety
And, a blood test to screen for Down syndrome grows in popularity, but also sparks a debate about abortion.
Most Medicare Advantage Plans Will Not Increase Premiums In 2016, HHS Announces
It is the sixth year of stable prices for these private plans, that seniors can choose as an alternative to traditional Medicare. However, the Chicago Tribune notes that a popular plan in Illinois will increase premiums.
