Latest KFF Health News Stories
Efforts To Repeal Health Law’s ‘Cadillac’ Tax Spotlight Threat To Flexible Spending Accounts
Opponents of the tax, which would apply to generous employer health plans, say that one of the first moves companies would make to avoid the tax is jettison flexible spending accounts for workers. Meanwhile, a legislative fix to another provision that expands the small group market covered by the law could be derailed because of complicated politics.
As Budget Impasse Centers On Planned Parenthood, Cuts To Other Health Programs Possible Too
With some House Republicans threatening to vote against any spending bill that provides federal money to the women’s health organization, the threat of another shutdown grows. Budget negotiations could also impact other health groups’ funding as well.
Nearly 10M People Paid For New Health Law Insurance Plans
This tally, released as part of the federal government’s midyear report, shows a dip from a previous count.
Report: Nearly Half Of Americans Are Either Diabetic Or Pre-Diabetic
A paper published Tuesday in JAMA reported this finding, but surprisingly, experts view this as a positive sign because for the first time in two decades the prevalence of diabetes is starting to plateau.
First Edition: September 9, 2015
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Trump And GOP Orthodoxy; Limiting Abortions; Lower Price For New Statins
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Health care stories are reported from California, West Virginia, Minnesota, Texas, Maryland, Colorado, Virginia, Illinois and Kansas.
Washington State Planned Parenthood Fire Ruled Arson
The clinic, near the Idaho border, suffered significant damage that may shutter it for a month or more, a Planned Parenthood spokeswoman said.
Families Find New Strategies To Fight Children’s Rare Diseases
Many of these diseases don’t get large amounts of research funding, so parents are forced to try to find alternatives. The New York Times and The Washington Post look at some of these efforts.
Food-Industry War Escalates Over Bioengineered Foods, Drawing In Academics On Both Sides
The New York Times offers two stories looking at disputes on genetically modified food and new labels for meat.
Shortage Of Psychiatrists Hurts Patients As Demand For Services Rises
State officials are taking steps to address the gap as lower pay, reimbursement difficulties and paperwork requirements discourage more medical students from going into the specialty. In other mental health news, doctors are encouraged to screen teenagers for depression and hospitals are detaining more patients.
Researchers Try New Approach To Getting Patients To Take Their Medication
In other public health news, colleges push meningitis B vaccinations, whooping cough is likely more spread from siblings than from mother to child, some cucumbers are recalled over a salmonella outbreak and the FDA examines caffeine overdoses.
Veteran’s Quest For ‘Foot That Fits’ Highlights Women’s Issues In VA Care
The Department of Veterans Affairs is struggling to address the needs of women when they return home from service. In other VA news, a closer look at one suicide-prevention program and the VA’s claims backlog affects veterans who live in Nevada.
CEO Looks For Cost Answers At Her Own Hospital
Elsewhere, a federal watchdog questions if parents of premature babies in a clinical trial were properly warned of some risks; a new medical coding system also pushes quality of care; more business develops around certifying doctors, and social workers are better integrated into primary care in Connecticut.
Doctors Group Critical Of Proposed Health Insurer Mergers
The American Medical Association will release a report Tuesday finding that if Anthem acquires Cigna, competition in an already concentrated health insurance marketplace would become even more reduced. In the meantime, Aetna’s CEO, Mark Bertolini, touts his company’s increase in its minimum wage, greater benefits and stock price rise after its merger with Humana.
Rubio, After Visiting Site Of Charleston Shooting, Talks Medicare Costs, Tax Code
The GOP presidential hopeful is also engaged in a battle with Hillary Clinton over voters from Puerto Rico. Elsewhere in presidential race news, a claim by Ben Carson about welfare is fact-checked.
Medicare’s Test Of New Insurance Program May Influence Commercial Insurer Plans
The study involves the Medicare Advantage program, and officials hope it will lower out-of-pocket costs for chronically ill patients who seek high-value services and providers. Also in news about Medicare pilot projects, an Iowa insurer reports that the accountable care organizations there saved money.
Meanwhile, 12 states participating in a test program are evaluating its success for managing the costs and care for Americans who are eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare.
Maryland Insurer Announces 26 Percent Rate Increase
The rise is for a popular plan CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield plan. Meanwhile, Iowa employers see a rise in their rates too, and Democratic lawmakers in Wisconsin react to increasing rates there.
Native Americans Urged To Consider Enrolling In Obamacare Policies
Advocates say the health law policies offer new choices and financial relief for struggling Indian hospitals and clinics. But on the flip side of the issue for Native Americans, one tribe is fighting its designation as a large employer under the law because of the requirements to provide coverage to workers.
