Latest KFF Health News Stories
Is Now The Time For Mental Health Overhaul?
The recent spate of shootings has some lawmakers and mental health advocates eyeing legislation to reform the nation’s mental health care system. In other legislative news, some Capitol Hill lawmakers ask about the safety of a popular blood thinner, and two Democrats make a case for new policies to lower prescription drug prices.
Senate Republicans Ready 20-Week Abortion Ban
The upper chamber could vote as soon as this month on a federal nationwide ban on abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Elsewhere Rand Paul holds a rally to end federal funding of Planned Parenthood.
House Hearing Scrutinizes Insurers’ Mergers
The Judiciary subcommittee hearing was marked by competing arguments from doctors, hospitals and insurance company representatives, all of whom have strong interests involved in how the health insurance marketplace would be impacted by the proposed deals.
White House Likely To Appeal Ruling Allowing GOP To Proceed With Health Law Challenge
Meanwhile, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi expressed astonishment at the judge’s decision to allow the lawsuit to go forward.
Mass. Health Connector Promises A Better Insurance Shopping Experience For Consumers
The Connector says changes will make plan selection easier, even though premiums will increase between 2.2 percent and 9.3 percent. News outlets report on other related developments in Connecticut, Rhode Island and Kansas.
First Edition: September 11, 2015
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: House GOP Wins First Round In Lawsuit; 9/11 Responders Need Medical Benefits
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Longer Looks: A Model For Finding Black Doctors; Kitty Dukakis And Shock Therapy
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
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.”
