Latest KFF Health News Stories
Screenings Suggest Rising Drug Use Among U.S. Workers
The share of employees testing positive for drug traces from marijuana to prescription opiates is increasing, according to screening data from Quest Diagnostics Inc. Meanwhile, the nation’s biggest tobacco companies drop their lawsuit against the FDA over a labeling dispute after the agency agrees to review its policy.
To Fight Superbugs, FDA Issues Guidelines For Antibiotic Use In Farm Animals
The Obama administration is taking steps to limit the antibiotics used for both animals and humans. The Food and Drug Administration announced the change at a White House forum focused on combating drug-resistant bacteria.
A Court Designed To Protect Patients — And Vaccine Makers
NPR looks at the no-fault compensation program established in 1986 after a series of big lawsuits against vaccine makers. The goal was to make the legal process more efficient for litigants, while ensuring that manufacturers continue to supply the shots. Meanwhile, a study suggests that even with special training, doctors struggled to convince vaccine-resistant families to inoculate their children.
CMS Study Highlights High Cost Of Cancer Drugs
The information compared cancer drug costs and other services provided by oncologists. Also in the news, the CEO of AstraZeneca said his company would be open to acquiring a startup company called Juno that is developing an immune therapy drug.
Bets On Health Care Paying Off For Investors
Despite high prices, shares of health care companies continue to soar. Elsewhere, an investor wins an arbitration award against UBS, the feds crack down on Medicare Advantage fraud and health insurer Anthem is offering workers free college tuition to entice new employees.
House Committee Advances Bills To Repeal Medical Device Tax, Medicare Cost Panel
The House Ways and Means Committee voted Tuesday to repeal two parts of the Affordable Care Act — the tax on medical devicemakers and the Independent Payment Advisory Board, a yet-to-be-established panel tasked with proposing ways to reduce Medicare spending. The bills are slated to be considered by the full House the week of June 15.
Report: Blue-State Hospitals May Not See Predicted Medicaid Expansion Boost
The Wall Street Journal reports that the operating margins of these hospitals may not be improving as a result of this health law provision. Meanwhile, the Kansas Health Institute has an update on the expansion debate in Kansas.
Higher Rate Requests Come As Insurers Wrestle With Effects Of Health Law
The Obama administration released a list of insurers seeking to raise premiums more than 10 percent. Insurers are using their first full year of experience in the new Obamacare market to set prices.
Beyond King V. Burwell … A Look At Another Legal Challenge To Obamacare
CNN reports on the pending lawsuit brought by House Republicans against the Obama administration. Meanwhile, other news outlets preview how the Supreme Court’s decision in King v. Burwell could shake out, including possible state contingency plans and various other political and policy issues.
More Than 10M People Paying Their Premiums For Health Law Policies, HHS Announces
The report shows how many people signed up for insurance under the health law and have kept those policies active by paying their premiums. The number is down from the nearly 12 million who signed up by February but it is still well above the administration’s goal of 9.1 million customers.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Did Justice Scalia Tip His Hand?; Treat Obesity Like Tobacco; Getting Better Data
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
News outlets report on health issues from Pennsylvania, Tennessee, California, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, New York and Minnesota.
N.C. Lawmakers Pass Tighter Abortion Restrictions
The bill would increase the wait time for women to get an abortion from 24 to 72 hours, if signed by the governor. But it faces changes in the state House first. In Wisconsin, Gov. Scott Walker says he’ll sign a 20-week abortion ban bill that doesn’t make exceptions for cases of rape or incest.
More Students Seeking Help From Mental Health Programs Offered In Conn. Schools
Elsewhere in New England, local officials continue to struggle with opiate abuse. Vermont doctors are volunteering their time to treat addicts at home. And in Gloucester, Mass., heroin users looking for help can turn over their drugs without being arrested.
Health Care Problems Persist In California Private Prisons
A report from a federal official questions the care given to 4,200 inmates at seven private prison facilities.
Ohio Budget Proposal Would Eliminate Medicaid Benefits For Certain Pregnant Women
Meanwhile, Children’s Hospital Colorado could lose its Medicaid certification following a state investigation that found regulation violations at one of its satellite facilities. And advocates in New Jersey are hopeful that the new federal Medicaid managed care regulations proposed last week could help with state reforms.
Conn. Senate Passes Measure Including Hospital Sales Oversight, Consumer Protection Provisions
The bill, if it becomes law, would regulate sales of hospitals, establish a statewide medical record exchange and offer greater protections for consumers by requiring greater cost transparency and restricting “surprise billing.”
Judge Blocks Texas Telemedicine Rule
The Texas Medical Board had issued rules that would require face-to-face contact between patient and doctor before prescription drugs are dispensed. Kaiser Health News and and public radio station KERA look at Teledoc, a telemedicine provider in Texas that is crying foul over the rule.
National Trial Of Cancer Treatments Targeting Genetic Mutations Set To Begin
The National Cancer Institute called the trial “the largest and most rigorous precision oncology trial that’s ever been attempted.” Meanwhile, Anthem is expanding its program to blunt the costs of expensive cancer medications by pushing oncologists to adhere to standardized treatment guidelines.
