Latest KFF Health News Stories
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.
Spending Bills, Dispute On Planned Parenthood Await Congress As Lawmakers Return
This month, Congress has a full plate as members seek to fund the government for the fiscal year that starts in October. But conservatives are calling for an end to government funding of Planned Parenthood, and GOP leaders are trying to find a way to avoid a government shutdown.
Administration Cracking Down On Medicare And Medicaid Billing Cheats
With tens of billions of dollars lost each year through improper payments to doctors and medical facilities, the federal government is adopting a “more aggressive strategy” for targeting fraudulent claims.
Obama Orders Government Contractors To Give Workers Paid Sick Leave
The order requires employees be provided at least seven paid sick days a year.
First Edition: September 8, 2015
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Research Roundup: PTSD And Vietnam Vets; Kids’ Use Of Antipsychotic Drugs; Calif.’s Elder Poor
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Viewpoints: GOP Efforts Would Raise Deficits; Abortion And Down Syndrome
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Health care stories are reported from California, Massachusetts, Colorado, Florida, Kansas, Ohio, Texas and New York.
Calif. Prison Outbreak Of Legionnaires’ Contained While Inmates In Other States Reported Ill
New York City finds contaminated water at a facility where four contracted Legionnaires’ disease and the prisoner death toll rises to eight in Illinois. Meanwhile a mystery gastrointestinal illness strikes 220 at an Arizona jail.
Veterans Face Transportation Barriers When Seeking VA Health Care
Meanwhile, an inspector general report finds “serious” problems with enrollment data among the wider Department of Veterans Affairs issues delaying care.
Be On Guard Against Medicare Schemes
With an uptick in Medicare fraud, The Los Angeles Times offers tips to seniors for avoiding becoming a victim, while Reuters reports on how health care costs should factor into your retirement planning.
Truvada Highly Effective At Preventing HIV Transmission, Insurer Study Finds
The daily prescription medication has had mixed reception from medical professionals and gay communities, with some calling it an “end to the HIV epidemic” while others see it as a “party drug.”
‘Improper Diagnosis’ May Account For Part Of ADHD Rate Jump, Report Says
In other children’s health news, thousands of landlords have not properly filed their rental units with Maryland’s lead registry, and a new study examines why some kids get allergies and others don’t.
