Latest KFF Health News Stories
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.
Abortion Bills Move Forward As Part Of Capitol Hill Showdown
News outlets detail some of the key legislative proposals related to abortion and Planned Parenthood and examine how they could fit into the current fractious debate over federal funding for this reproductive health organization.
GOP Leaders Mum On Strategy To Avert Government Shutdown Over Planned Parenthood
The Republican congressional leaders do not appear to have set a plan yet on how to pass a temporary spending bill before the Sept. 30 close of the fiscal year. Efforts continue to be mired in conservatives’ desire to cut off Planned Parenthood funding and leaders’ concerns that the fight with Democrats would lead to a shutdown.
The Flu Vaccine Will Offer Better Protection This Year, CDC Says
“Get vaccinated” is the message from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The agency believes this year’s batch of shots should be more effective than last year’s recipe, which did not protect against a surprise virus.
First Edition: September 18, 2015
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Alaska Lawmakers Push Forward With Lawsuit To Fight Medicaid Expansion
Meanwhile in Tennessee, the power of the governor to expand Medicaid without lawmaker approval is also at issue. The state’s attorney general issued an opinion saying Gov. Bill Haslam could not do so. Haslam has also repeatedly rejected the idea.
Viewpoints: Obamacare Enrollment Finds Success But Fixes Still Needed; Problems With Risperdal
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Longer Looks: Readmission Penalties; Nature’s Cure; Treating Menopause
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Health care stories are reported from Illinois, California, New York, Missouri, North Carolina and Kansas.
School Nurses’ New Tool To Combat Opioid Overdoses
In public schools in New York, school nurses are stocking up on naloxone to help students who overdose on school time, thanks to a new state law. In Florida, heroin addiction is taking an inordinate amount of police officers’ time.
Virginia Hospitals Launch Ads Urging State Lawmakers To Help Relieve Financial Stress
After prior appeals to expand Medicaid failed to make inroads in the state’s political environment, the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association is targeting lawmakers who oppose extending coverage to 400,000 uninsured Virginians with a campaign asking for help.
Researchers Find Flaws In Paxil Study That Downplayed Drug’s Risk To Youth
The drug was later tied to an increase in suicidal thoughts among adolescents, according to the FDA. Elsewhere, GlaxoSmithKline’s Seroxat is criticized by a medical journal for not allowing access to data it says would have shown the antidepressant is not safe or effective for youths.
Cigna CEO Says Anthem Takeover Will Increase Choice, Affordability
But worries persist from others that the $47 billion deal will hurt competition. Elsewhere, a GM official says there are no plans for the company to sell its health care business, and Target will give its employees Fitbits to help track health.
