Latest KFF Health News Stories
Health care stories are reported from New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, California, Kansas and Illinois.
Baltimore Combats Heroin Overdose Epidemic With Antidote Outreach And Training
Meanwhile, in the midst of the Illinois budget stalemate, Democrat and Republican legislators joined forces to reject Gov. Bruce Rauner’s rewrite of the bill aimed at reducing heroin use.
Meanwhile, news outlets also report on the latest Medicaid developments in Kansas and Illinois.
Pa. High Court To Hear Expedited Appeal In UPMC-Highmark Case
At issue is a Commonwealth Court judge’s order in May that says UPMC must maintain in-network rates until 2019 for people insured by Highmark Medicare Advantage plans. UPMC canceled its Medicare Advantage contract with rival Highmark in April.
Calif. Assembly Narrowly Approves Physician-Assisted Suicide Bill
Lawmakers on Wednesday passed a bill that would allow physicians to prescribe life-ending drugs to terminally ill patients. The measure, which is opposed by the Catholic Church and others, must now gain the state senate’s final approval.
Sanders To Introduce Bill Taking Aim At High Prescription Drug Costs
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., a candidate for president, has joined with another lawmaker to advance legislation that would empower Medicare to negotiate pharmaceutical prices. Meanwhile, in Senate campaign news, former U.S. Attorney Conner Eldridge is launching an effort to unseat Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark.
Why Does It Cost So Much To Treat A Snakebite?
The Washington Post examines the hospital and medication costs associated with giving anti-venom. In the meantime, Bloomberg looks at why some venture capitalists’ bet on a diet pill failed.
New Marketplace Options, Shortage Of Primary Care Physicians Is Changing Patient-Doctor Ties
The Associated Press examines the shake-up in the “once-simple doctor-patient relationship, which for generations has served as the gateway to the U.S. health care system.” Also, a study compares doctors’ hospital referral patterns and the American Board of Anesthesiology is opting to allow its members to forego board recertification.
Pilots Pressing UPS On Health Benefits As Part Of Contract Talks
The union is calling for a strike vote to help bolster its bargaining position. Also in employee benefit news, Kraft Heinz is moving some retirees to health exchanges.
Federal Judge Allows Congressional Republicans’ To Press Health Law Challenge
U.S. District Court Judge Rosemary M. Collyer ruled the House can pursue its claim that the administration violated the Constitution when it spent public money that was not appropriated by Congress to pay for the health insurance subsidies.
Kickoff Of Hearings On Planned Parenthood Marked By Partisan Clashes
In the opening salvo of the long-awaited hearings, neither Planned Parenthood nor the anti-abortion group behind the Planned Parenthood sting videos testified.
Some Conservatives Spoil For A Fight On Planned Parenthood Funds As Budget Deadline Looms
Stakes are high in this political showdown, and the White House has issued a warning to Congress over the looming deadline, saying a shutdown would be “wildly irresponsible.”
First Edition: September 10, 2015
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Cut Planned Parenthood Funds Without Shutting Government; Drug Cost Concerns
A selection of opinions about health care from around the country.
Health care stories are reported from Florida, California, New York, Georgia and Washington.
N.Y. Gov. Promises Health Care Aid To Puerto Rico
Some of the assistance promised by Gov. Cuomo was to push Washington to increase federal health funding and program assistance to Puerto Rico.
Mental Health Providers Step In To Coordinate Patient Care
In Connecticut, “behavioral health homes” are becoming more common as efforts to control costs and improve outcomes increase. Elsewhere, congressional efforts to overhaul mental health care are complicated by privacy issues.
Foundation Seeks To Help Cash-Strapped Safety-Net Hospitals Make Necessary Innovations
Elsewhere in hospital news, hospitals face a reduction in drug cost savings if a new proposal is adopted, and a new band of entrepreneurs eye health care convenience for consumers.
UAW Seeks To Expand Successful Retiree Health Program To Serve Current Workers
Officials of the autoworkers union want to use the model of the retiree program they started eight years ago to improve the health coverage for employees at the three big auto companies. Also in the news are two studies about health insurance.
AMA: Insurance Company Mergers Threaten Competition
The American Medical Association said the proposed merger deals involving the nation’s four largest insurers could do harm to consumers and doctors.
