Latest KFF Health News Stories
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: GOP Pressure Point; Cut Coverage Costs For Young Adults; Insurance Merger Talks
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
News outlets report on health care developments in South Dakota, Georgia, California, Mississippi, Minnesota, Washington, Louisiana, Indiana, Florida and Massachusetts.
Advocates Worry That Funding Boost For Kids’ Health May Be Used For Other Things
States are free to use the $5.6 billion increase for the Children’s Health Insurance Program over the next 11 years as they see fit, reports CQ Healthbeat. Meanwhile, a CDC advisory committee is expected to decide later this week whether to recommend a new vaccine for teenagers to prevent meningitis strain B.
IG: Fraud Continues To Be Big Issue For Medicare Drug Program
The Health and Human Services Department Inspector General issues critical reports following the recent arrests of 44 pharmacy owners, doctors and others for bilking the program. Meanwhile, traditional Medicare limits telemedicine coverage to certain rural areas despite the growing use of such services by commercial insurers.
Faced With Escalating Drug Prices, Oncologists Develop Formula For Weighing Value Of Cancer Care
A rush of new cancer medications are available, but some carry high costs while not offering much more time. The formula published by the American Society of Clinical Oncology aims to help doctors and patients assess factors such as benefits, side effects and cost when deciding between treatment options.
Anthem Presses Ahead In Pursuit Of Cigna Merger
Some news outlets report that Cigna is playing hard to get, while Anthem renewed its commitment to closing the deal. CEO Joseph Swedish went on the offensive Monday to rally support among Cigna shareholders and to rebut concerns about the industry’s growing trend toward consolidation, but some experts noted the combination would likely raise regulatory red flags.
Republicans Still Not Unified Over Repeal Strategies For Health Law
As they wait for a crucial Supreme Court ruling that could gut the Affordable Care Act’s subsidies, Republican lawmakers are hearing mixed messages from constituents on the next steps Congress should take. And internal debate within the party goes on over what parts of the law to target for repeal. Obamacare is not the only health legislation under consideration: Republican legislators are pushing measures to strip the FTC of some of its powers to block mergers — a change backed by the American Hospital Association — and limit the FDA’s ability to regulate e-cigarettes and other tobacco products.
Number Of Uninsured Dropped By 8.8M In Health Law’s First Year, Official Survey Finds
That decline was reported by the CDC’s National Health Interview Survey, which is considered to be the gold standard by researchers. Black Americans under the age of 65 made the biggest gains, with uninsured rates falling by nearly a third from 18.9 percent to 13.5 percent.
Consumers Await Court Decision That Could Threaten Their Coverage
If the Supreme Court strikes down the federal subsidies in states using the federal insurance marketplace, the financial assistance that has made insurance premiums more affordable could disappear for more than 6 million people.
Much-Anticipated Court Decision Could Shape Obama’s Legacy, Alter Health Law’s Impact
As the clock ticks down on the time remaining in this Supreme Court session, the justices still have rulings coming in a number of high-profile cases — including King v. Burwell.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Insurance Merger Wave; The Cost Of Obamacare; Abortion Under Attack
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
News outlets report on health care developments in Texas, Massachusetts, Florida, Maryland, California, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Hawaii and Illinois,
Medicaid’s Adult Dental Coverage Gaining, But Slowly
In other Medicaid news, a plan to expand Medicaid to cover routine podiatrist care for adult recipients did not win the approval of the Nevada legislature.
Iowa Supreme Court Overturns Rule, Allows Use Of Telemedicine To Dispense Abortion Pills
The state’s high court struck down a restriction that would have prevented doctors from administering abortion-inducing pills remotely via video.
Waiting Lists For Veteran’s Care Is Longer Now Than A Year Ago
According to The New York Times, the number of veterans on waiting lists for a month or longer is now 50 percent higher than it was during the peak of last year’s problems. The Department of Veterans Affairs is also facing a nearly $3 billion budget shortfall, which could affect care for many veterans.
Politics Of Subsidies Challenge Is ‘Tricky’ For Republican Candidates
If the justices strike down Obamacare’s insurance subsidies for 6.4 million people, the GOP presidential hopefuls would face a dilemma over how to respond. It gets even more complicated for the four governors considering a run, since tens of thousands of people in their states would lose coverage. Ohio Gov. John Kasich is already on the defensive about his state’s Medicaid expansion.
Consumers Could Have Fewer Options If Large Insurers Merge
News outlets examine the recent marketplace developments among large insurance companies and within the health sector.
Anthem, Aetna, Cigna, Humana: A Weekend’s Worth Of Merger Offers And Rejections
The insurance sector action culminated Sunday when Cigna rejected Anthem’s takeover bid.
