Latest KFF Health News Stories
Researchers Look For Key To Cures In ‘Exceptional Responders’
Some people respond incredibly well to certain cancer drugs, and the mystery of why has scientists looking at how they can replicate the response in others. ProPublica, in the meantime, examines “toxic residue” from MRI screenings.
New Cures, Big Prices Mean Some Go Without Best Treatments
In other health care marketplace news, a lab prepares to settle over expensive Medicare drug tests, and The New York Times looks more closely at the “female Viagra.” Additionally, biotech jobs are up, but pharma jobs lag, and The Wall Street Journal examines why many don’t buy long-term care insurance.
Hillary Clinton Attacks GOP For Wanting To Repeal Health Law
In a wide-ranging speech, the Democratic presidential-hopeful also hit Republicans on abortion rights. Elsewhere, GOP likely contender Jeb Bush is criticized by a free-market group for increasing spending to lure a biomedical group to Florida.
Sen. Murray Proposes Requiring Insurers Cover Over-The-Counter Birth Control
In other news, President Obama’s loss on a trade bill after Democrats balked at Medicare cuts included in the bill is examined.
Final Bill For Troubled Massachusetts Exchange Site Could Hit $300M
The cost of setting up the Massachusetts health insurance website rose another $47.2 million, bringing the total spent to $281 million with more expenses still expected. Meanwhile, Colorado will post on its insurance site Monday the 2016 rates proposed by providers. And a judge tossed a lawsuit filed by Oracle against five former Oregon governor staffers in a case involving Cover Oregon technology problems.
Florida House Approves Six Bills Targeting High Health Care Costs
Legislators in that state also decided how to divvy up $2 billion among 134 hospitals to pay for care of patients without insurance. Federal funds for Florida’s low-income pool, or LIP, fund were cut back by the Obama administration.
Whose Insurance Is In Jeopardy?
News outlets in states that could be impacted if the high court strikes down the health law’s insurance subsidies attempt to quantify how many people might lose their Obamacare coverage.
King V. Burwell: Searching For Signs Of What The Justices Are Thinking
News outlets analyze the words and records of different Supreme Court justices in search of some indication of how they might rule in the pending challenge to the use of health law subsidies in states that did not set up their own online insurance marketplaces. Meanwhile, a number of decisions — including King v. Burwell — are still pending even as the Court’s term is nearing its close. And on Capitol Hill, Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, makes a strong statement in opposition to a “one-sentence” Obamacare fix.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Health Law’s Worth; States Lack Plans On Subsidies; Spending Again Rising
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Research Roundup: Health Pay Differentials; Lowering Risk Of Falls; The Effect Of CPR
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
State Highlights: Calif. Settlement On Farmworkers’ Deaths; Training Doctors In Transgender Health
News outlets report on health care developments in California, Kansas, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas and Washington.
Nev. Governor Signs Bill Allowing Private Companies To Manage Medicaid Services
Also in state Medicaid news, North Carolina may owe health care providers up to $10 million because of a flawed computer billing system, and Minnesota will pay the federal government $3.1 million after accounting errors are discovered.
VA Develops ‘Game Changer’ For Helping Doctors Predict Veteran Suicide Risks
Using a range of factors, including age, gender, medical conditions and homelessness, the Department of Veterans Affairs came up with a computer formula for identifying groups of vets likely to be the most suicidal. The goal is to target those at risk with aggressive treatment and aid. Meanwhile, the family of an Iraq war veteran who killed himself after seeking help from a VA hospital is calling a government report on the incident a “whitewash.”
Democrats Scuttle Effort To Pay For Trade Bill Provision With Medicare Cuts
The funding cuts had been planned to help pay for worker retraining, but House Democrats balked at using Medicare money.
Doctors Told To Watch For MERS After South Korean Outbreak
The illness, called Middle East respiratory syndrome, has been seen in South Korea, prompting concerns it could move to the U.S. In the meantime, public health officials consider graphic warnings for tanning bed use, and USA Today looks at new health care tech.
Prisoners Seeking Hepatitis C Drugs Sue Mass. Officials
The drugs can cost as much at $90,000 to cure the disease. Meanwhile, the high costs of two cholesterol medications endorsed this week by an FDA panel reinforce growing concerns about the affordability of new treatments. Also in the news, The New York Times examines the hopes surrounding Chinese drug makers’ efforts on an Ebola drug, as well as the possibility of patent issues arising.
Lindsey Graham Introduces Senate Bill Banning Most Abortions After 20 Weeks
The Republican presidential candidate’s measure includes exemptions for some cases when the life of the mother is endangered or for victims of rape or incest. The U.S. House approved a similar bill last month. Support of such legislation by Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, another likely White House hopeful, helped push a similar 20-week measure through the Wisconsin Senate. Meanwhile in Florida, two groups are suing the state to try to stop a 24-hour abortion waiting period from taking effect.
Indiana Begins Ads For Expanded Medicaid Program
Also in news on health law implementation in the states, Georgia officials are at odds about the state’s ability to expand Medicaid and one paper examines how North Carolina might react if the Supreme Court strikes down premium subsidies for people who buy health plans on the federal government’s marketplace.
Many Patients Find Unexpected Medical Bills, Even With Obamacare
Some states are trying to stem the bills for consumers who face high costs for getting care from out-of-network providers. Elsewhere, KHN looks at high insurance rate hikes, Ted Cruz fights his own party on health law subsidies and President Barack Obama takes to TV to defend the law.
