Latest KFF Health News Stories
Gay Couples May Marry For Health Coverage — If Supreme Court Lets Them
Some employers say gay couples must marry in order to gain coverage for their partners. Elsewhere, some insurers are paying hospitals what they think they should pay for care.
High Costs Of Hep C Meds Are Breaking VA Budget
To tackle the problem, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., suggested to the Department of Veterans Affairs that it use its emergency powers to override patents on the new, more expensive hepatitis C drugs. And a VA official asked senators to allow the agency to shift funds to pay for the treatments. In other budget news, lawmakers refused a VA request to redirect money to pay for an unfinished hospital near Denver.
Three Times As Many Consumers Spend $100,000 Or More On Prescription Drugs
Costly specialty drugs drove up the number of Americans to 139,000 who spent that amount or greater last year to fill their prescriptions, according to pharmacy benefit manager Express Scripts.
Weight-Loss Drug Study Ends Early After Researchers Question Data
Results released from the first part of the study for the drug, Contrave, made by Orexigen Therapeutics, showed a big reduction in risk of heart attacks and strokes, but academics who were overseeing the study are questioning the results and say the release of information violated agreements on how the study would be handled. Elsewhere researchers probe the link between a dietary supplement with an amphetamine-type stimulant and a woman’s stroke.
Coverage For Congress Won’t Be Affected If Supreme Court Rules Against Subsidies
In that scenario, the 15,000 congressional staffers, lawmakers and dependents who get insurance through D.C.’s small-business exchange would still receive government contributions to help pay premiums, while some of their constituents lose their subsidies. Meanwhile, a conservative coalition continues to target what they call an “exemption” for Congress from the health law.
House Subcommittee Slated To Mark Up ‘Cures’ Legislation
The Senate is also expected to produce its version of the measure, which touches on a variety of aspects of the health care system, technology and medical research.
As Medicaid Fight Continues, Fla. Gov. Back In D.C. Lobbying For Aid For Hospitals
Gov. Rick Scott also says the battle over whether Florida should expand its Medicaid program may keep the state from enacting tax breaks or improving funding for schools. Elsewhere, Alaska lawmakers begin to dig in again on the expansion controversy there.
State Insurance Exchanges Cut Costs, Boost Fees To Be Self-Supporting
California’s exchange is proposing to trim costs, while Connecticut is considering modest boosts in assessments on all individual and small-group plans sold in the state. Meanwhile, UnitedHealthcare plans to start selling policies in Iowa’s insurance exchange, giving most consumers there a choice of plans.
House Expected To Pass Revised, 20-Week Abortion Ban
The legislation stands little chance of becoming law even if it clears Congress, since President Barack Obama is unlikely to sign it.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Protecting Nail Salon Workers; GOP’s Possible Subsidy Fix; Medicaid And Work
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
News outlets examine health care issues in Maryland, New York, South Carolina, Texas, North Carolina, California, Georgia, Wisconsin, Missouri, Alaska and Washington,
Alabama Mental Health Advocates Urge State Lawmakers Not To Trim Funding
News outlets also report on developments related to the mental health care system in Illinois, Massachusetts and Minnesota.
Former Head Of Right-To-Die Group Says Members Don’t Assist In Suicides
The past president of “Final Exit” is on trial for allegedly assisting a Minnesota woman’s suicide. In Michigan, a hospice care group comforts seriously ill people while still helping provide curative therapies.
Primary Care Docs, Anesthesiologists Face Tough Questions Over Their Roles
Will machines replace anesthesiologists? Should primary care physicians do more or less? These are among the serious issues being confronted by these specialties.
WHO Needs Radical Changes To Cope With Health Emergencies, Preliminary Report Finds
The report was critical of the agency’s reaction to the Ebola crisis. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization also offered best-practices recommendations last week about how to name newly identified human infectious diseases.
17 House Democrats Press For Repeal Of Medical Device Tax
Also in the news from Capitol Hill, House Republicans advance a bill related to fetus survival and late-term abortions.
Florida’s Public Hospitals Brace For Cuts Amid Budget Stalemate
Hospital officials say they will be hurt if a special Medicaid program to help cover the costs of treating the poor ends in June. Meanwhile, groups lobby central Florida lawmakers to expand Medicaid under the health law, which would bring billions of additional federal dollars into the state.
Lawmakers Mull Options In Case Health Law Subsidies Are Struck Down
Congress and state officials face possible chaos if the Supreme Court rules next month that health insurance subsidies are illegal, but the alternatives are complex and require political will. WNPR offers stories from Louisiana of people who are helped by the benefit. Meanwhile, the financial health of the state marketplaces is under scrutiny.
HHS Tells Insurers To Close Gaps In Contraceptive Coverage
The administration says plans must cover at least one form of all types of women’s contraceptives — including the patch and intrauterine devices — without cost to the beneficiary. Recent reports had shown a number of insurers were not adhering to that health law provision.
