Latest KFF Health News Stories
New Drugs Offer ‘Amazing’ Promise As Costs For Older Drugs Are Marked By Staggering Increases
Also in the news, The New York Times profiles the new commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration.
Justice Dept. Delays Ruling, Asks For More Info On Aetna-Humana Merger
Meanwhile, Modern Healthcare reports on Aetna’s plans for its acquisition of Humana. In other news, Universal Health Services has agreed to buy Foundations Recovery Network.
Republican Presidential Hopefuls Vie For Conservative Votes
Following the latest GOP presidential debate, the candidates’ campaign trail tone shifted to the right while Carly Fiorina jump to second in CNN’s latest poll. The former California candidate for U.S. Senate also played down criticism of a series of sting videos on Planned Parenthood. Another Republican presidential hopeful, N.J. Gov. Chris Christie, says Congress should defund Planned Parenthood, despite President Barack Obama’s veto threats.
Hillary Clinton To Hit GOP Presidential Candidates Over Obamacare Repeal Plans
The Democratic presidential hopeful will use a series of events to talk the health law up to Americans. Also, the former first lady will this week propose a new way to control the cost of prescription drugs.
Feds Considering Public Comments On Montana’s Medicaid Expansion Plan
In other expansion news, Alaska officials report that more than 1,000 Alaskans signed up for Medicaid during the first two weeks of the state’s expansion of its health insurance program for low-income people. Meanwhile, in Virginia, the expansion is still a political issue that will be in play during the upcoming state elections. And, in Kansas, Gov. Sam Brownback is still resistant to the expansion concept.
Bipartisan Effort Takes Aim At Obamacare Provision That Would Impact Small, Midsize Companies
In other health law news, Stateline reports on the future of health insurance co-ops. Meanwhile, the National Committee for Quality Assurance institutes a new quality ratings system for health plans, and a Latino group in Texas receives a federal grant to help enroll people under the Affordable Care Act.
House Passes Bill To Strip Planned Parenthood Of Federal Funds For One Year
The 241-187 vote fell along party lines. Another bill also passed, on a 248-177 vote, that would require medical personnel to aid an infant born alive after an attempted abortion, a provision that Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., will introduce in the Senate. Neither measure is expected to become law in the face of a potential Senate filibuster and presidential veto.
Conservatives’ Aversion To Planned Parenthood Funding At Center Of Current Budget Fight
A government shutdown could occur if a temporary budget is not passed by the end of the month. However, passage of a short-term spending bill faces opposition from conservatives who are troubled by federal funding for the reproductive health organization. But GOP congressional leaders fear that a shutdown could risk the party’s White House bid.
First Edition: September 21, 2015
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Longer Lives And Entitlement Questions; Missing Health Care At GOP Debate
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Research Roundup: Insurance Disparities; Medicare Beneficiaries’ Assets; Bariatric Surgery
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Health care stories are reported from Virginia, Ohio, Texas, Wisconsin, North Carolina and Michigan.
N.C. Lawmakers Agree On Plan To Privatize State’s Medicaid Program
In other Medicaid news, the Los Angeles Times reports on balance billing within Medi-Cal, and some Democrats in the Iowa legislature ask for federal assistance in blocking a plan by Gov. Terry Branstad to privatize the health insurance program for low-income people. In Pennsylvania, the state human services department will put out $17 billion in Medicaid business for bid to private companies.
Ark. Judge Hears Case Brought By Planned Parenthood To Reinstate Medicaid Contract
Meanwhile, in Florida, the reproductive health organization has asked the state Supreme Court to take on another legal challenge — this one rooted in a property dispute.
Rite Aid Reports Profit Drop, Cuts Next Full-Year Earnings Outlook
The third-largest drugstore chain says lower pharmacy reimbursements and its $2-billion purchase of pharmacy benefit manager EnvisionRx account for the fall. In other marketplace news, The Washington Post examines claims made by health apps.
Multi-Step Plan To Tackle Skyrocketing Drug Prices Offered By Policy Center
The Center for American Progress hopes its proposal will gain traction with 2016 presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders. Meanwhile, a prescription drug wholesaler warns that despite policy measures, price inflation will continue.
Medical Groups Blast Carson And Paul For Not Thwarting Vaccine Theories In Debate
The debate Wednesday included a spirited discussion about the alleged link between vaccines and autism, and many public health advocates were disappointed that the two doctors running for the GOP nomination — Ben Carson and Sen. Rand Paul — offered less than strident support for vaccines. The debate also focused on the party’s concerns about funding Planned Parenthood.
Work On State-Run Obamacare Exchanges Not Done, Government Watchdog Says
And states have already spent close to $1.5 billion on IT systems for the marketplaces. Elsewhere, Alaska lawmakers hire a lawyer to challenge the proposed Medicaid expansion there, an audit of Massachusetts’ low-income health insurance program finds spending problems and health coverage costs there fail to stay flat despite officials’ efforts.
Appeals Court Rules In Favor Of Religious Groups’ Challenge To Health Law Contraception Mandate
The decision breaks with the trend of other appeals court decisions on the issue. Those panels found that the Obama administration’s compromise was adequate.
Push To Repeal ‘Cadillac Tax’ Gains Bipartisan Support In Senate
In other health law news, an obscure provision — known as 1332 waivers — takes effect in 2017 and could help a Republican administration waive parts of the health law without congressional action.
