Latest KFF Health News Stories
High Drug Prices To Be Targeted At Obama Administration Forum
As the pharmaceutical industry comes under increased scrutiny, PhRMA launches a counteroffensive, blaming insurers and federal regulators for the skyrocketing costs. Meanwhile, in other drug industry news, Glaxo is set to seek approval for 20 new medications. And Kiplinger’s offers tips on saving money on Medicare prescriptions.
Lawmakers Wrestle With Mental Health Bill Provisions
The measure, introduced by Rep. Tim Murphy, R-Pa., is slated for markup today. Meanwhile, Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H., will introduce a bill to improve substance abuse treatment programs for pregnant women.
Speaker Ryan Calls For Unified Republican Agenda, But Policy Fights, Funding Battles Loom
The Associated Press reports that hot-button issues such as Planned Parenthood funding fights will be hurdles to avoiding a December government shutdown.
Calif. Levies Fines On 2 Insurers For Inaccurate Lists Of Network Doctors
The fines against Blue Shield of California and Anthem Blue Cross result from consumer complaints in 2014 that the insurers’ doctor directories were inaccurate. Also, newspapers in Milwaukee, Wis., and Tampa Bay, Fla., look at current enrollment issues, especially cost.
More Than Half Of Health Law Co-Ops Now Off The Market
Michigan’s was the most recent to announce its departure. Meanwhile, the financial disintegration of these nonprofit insurers has given GOP health law opponents new ammunition and was the topic of a Tuesday House Ways and Means Committee hearing.
Viewpoints: The Cost Of Co-Ops Failures; GOP’s Plans For Medicare
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
News outlets report on health issues in California, Illinois, Ohio, Missouri, Washington state, Oregon, Florida, Colorado and North Carolina.
Iowa Lawmakers Launch Oversight Effort Regarding State’s Medicaid Privatization Plan
News outlets also report on Medicaid news in California and Ohio.
Report: Death Rates Tick Up For Middle-Aged Whites
The report, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, suggests that mental health issues and addiction play a role in reversing decades of advances in longevity.
Medicare Sets Pricing Plan For Biotech Copycat Drugs
In other regulatory news, Medicare continues its scrutiny of short hospital stays, new patient protections for transgender people are imminent, the FDA considers further regulation of HIV drugs and a battle continues over a federal drug discount program.
Valeant Tells Doctors That Their Prescriptions Won’t Be Disrupted
Valeant Pharmaceuticals sent a letter to doctors to try to reassure them after the company severed its controversial business ties with specialty pharmacy Philidor. In other marketplace news, Quest Diagnostics expands its data analytics business, AmSurg suspends acquisition talks with Team Health and Pamplona announced plans to buy MedAssets for $1.86 billion.
As Arizona Co-Op Folds, 59,000 Must Search For Alternate 2016 Coverage
Meanwhile, reporters from KHN and PBS NewsHour discuss the factors that have contributed to the collapse of a growing number of nonprofit insurance co-operatives set up by the 2010 health law.
Montana Wins Federal Approval Of Medicaid Expansion Plan
The state’s plan, which won approval in a Republican-controlled legislature after a bitter fight, needed waivers from the federal government because the state is requiring participants to pay a small premium and take part in a jobs-skill survey.
Officials Urge Consumers To Shop Around For Health Coverage
Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell says Americans looking for health insurance should take the time to look for better deals. It’s a sentiment shared among many health law advocates, including the interim head of Minnesota’s health exchange.
With Premiums Up For Some, Obamacare Affordability Concerns Could Hurt Enrollment
In related news, The Washington Post maps the state-by-state rate changes for health law plans. Elsewhere, The Fiscal Times offers a primer on how to sign up during open enrollment season and The Hill reports on the status of the Cadillac tax debate.
Election Results Likely To Impact Medicaid Expansion Debate
Kentucky’s expansion of the health insurance program for low income people has been a hot topic in the state’s governor’s race. Similarly, in Virginia, the possibility of Medicaid expansion is tied to who wins control of the state Senate. News outlets also report on state ballot initiatives in California and New York.
Viewpoints: Problems With GOP Tax Plans; Pass The Mental Health Bills
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Views On Health Enrollment: One Employer’s Experience; Cost-Shifting; Beware Bush’s Plan
Several columnists and editorials look at issues surrounding the opening of the health law’s marketplaces.
News outlets report on health issues in Iowa, Florida, Arkansas, Washington, Oregon, New Jersey, Massachusetts, New York and Ohio.
Health Care Issues Play A Key Role In Hotly Contested Kentucky Governor’s Race
Republican Matt Bevin and Democrat Jack Conway are locked in a tight race, according to polls, to replace Gov. Steve Beshear. The election is viewed as a referendum on the health law, as Kentucky launched its own exchange and Beshear expanded Medicaid by executive order.
