Latest KFF Health News Stories
Insurers Often Refuse Coverage For Injuries Sustained In Illegal Activities
The New York Times examines how some patients who are never charged with a crime can have their health claims denied by insurers because they reportedly were hurt while engaging in an illegal act. Meanwhile, The Washington Post looks at the large hospital bill one California man received after a dangerous snake bite.
Utah Officials Have High Hopes For Medicaid Expansion Model
Meanwhile, in North Carolina, advocates continue to call for expanding the low-income health insurance program, but politics work against this cause.
GOP Presidential Hopeful Scott Walker Signs Abortion Ban
Meanwhile, Planned Parenthood makes accusations related to the controversial fetal tissue video released last week by undercover anti-abortion advocates.
Trump’s Version Of McCain’s Record Helping Veterans Is Misguided, Veterans Groups Say
While Donald Trump backed off his criticism of Sen. John McCain in a Fox interview, a new poll shows the businessman at the top of the 2016 Republican presidential field. Also on the campaign trail, speeches by Jeb Bush and Hillary Clinton offer back-to-back looks at their key policy differences, Scott Walker is proving to be a disciplined candidate who stays on message and Bernie Sanders has captured the support of some liberals disappointed by President Barack Obama.
Kasich To Enter Race For GOP Presidential Nomination
The Ohio governor and former congressman faces a number of challenges, including his support for Medicaid expansion in his state, as he joins the crowded Republican field.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Health care stories are reported from Florida, Iowa, D.C., Pennsylvania, California, New Mexico and Texas.
Data Breach Affects 4.5 Million UCLA Health System Patients
Cyber-attackers broke into the UCLA Health System’s computer network, but at this time it is not clear if the hackers accessed specific personal or medical information of individuals.
Top Alzheimers Researchers Optimistic About Treatment Gains
The Alzheimer’s Association International Conference started Saturday in Washington, D.C. Researchers say a new generation of drugs in development could not only help Alzheimer’s patients but also people with other brain disorders.
Medicaid Expansion, Cadillac Tax Among Health Law Buzz Words Heard On The Campaign Trail
As 2016 presidential candidates make the rounds, the health law continues to be a part of the discussion.
Efforts To Curb Medicare, Obamacare Fraud Draw Scrutiny
The Associated Press reports that some claims about financial returns on anti-fraud efforts are “sketchy” while The Hill notes that a report issued last week by the Government Accountability Office renewed concerns from many health law opponents about Obamacare’s lack of anti-fraud safeguards.
FDA Gives Theranos Green Light To Conduct Blood Testing Outside The Lab
The decision could lead to in-home tests for diseases like herpes. In other marketplace news, Xerox plans an overhaul of its health IT business, and health-care software maker Intermedix hires a new CIO. NPR reports on doctors who are leaving medical practice to develop technologies aimed at shaking up the health care process.
Most Americans Want Medicare To Negotiate For Lower Drug Prices
A Kaiser Family Foundation poll finds 87 percent of Americans want the change — which is currently prohibited by law. (Kaiser Health News is an editorially independent program of the Foundation.) Elsewhere, a closer look at a new demonstration program by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to bundle payments for some operations, and doctor pay increases for some specialties.
Cancer Help Line Doubles Number Of Patients It Connects With Coverage Since Health Law
The National Cancer Information Center specialists are having less luck helping those in states where the Medicaid safety net was not expanded. Meanwhile, several Indian tribes are pushing back on their classification as large employers under the Affordable Care Act. And the supported state-based marketplaces are concerned about the future cost of using healthcare.gov.
Medicaid Expansion Plans Advance In Utah, Alaska
Republican leaders in Utah have agreed to a conceptual framework for expanding the low-income health insurance program. Meanwhile, in Alaska, the state estimates 4,000 new jobs will result from expanding Medicaid.
State-By-State Look At Medicaid Expansion Numbers
The Associated Press examined the success of state efforts to expand Medicaid coverage and the financial repercussions.
Budget Concerns Grow As Medicaid Enrollments Outpace Estimates In Expansion States
More than a dozen states are seeing enrollment surges well beyond expectations, and officials in some of those states are concerned about costs they will encounter in the future. Also, The Fiscal Times reports on how Medicaid coverage has developed into a dual system divided on partisan lines between states that expanded Medicaid and those that did not.
Abortion Battle Could Put Highway Bill In The Slow Lane
A pending bill to fund the nation’s highway bill may get caught up in renewed efforts to defund Planned Parenthood, which have picked up momentum after last week’s release of a controversial video. In other Capitol Hill news, The Associated Press examines how the continuing troubles of the Department of Veterans Affairs are playing out in Congress.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
