Latest KFF Health News Stories
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.
Large Release Of Medicare Billing Data Details How Billions Of Health Care Dollars Are Spent
News outlets analyzed this Medicare data for 2013, breaking down spending based on hospital procedures, physician specialties and other types of care.
‘Cures Bill’ Boosts NIH Funding, But Advocates Worry About Long-Term Impact
In other news, some senators express concerns about the unintended consequences of the Food and Drug Administration’s compounding guidelines.
McCarthy: House GOP Won’t Offer Obamacare Response Until After High Court Decision
According to the Wall Street Journal, the House Majority Leader said Monday that Republicans would be ready to go regardless of what the Supreme Court decides in King v. Burwell. However, the House Ways and Means Committee will consider a measure today to repeal the overhaul’s medical device tax.
Fla. House Studying Senate Budget, Medicaid Proposals, But Differences Still Remain
As the lawmakers reconvene, they are making a number of concessions toward ending the bitter impasse on hospital funding and health coverage for low-income residents, but there is no promise yet on agreements. News outlets also reported Medicaid expansion news in Louisiana, Texas and Utah.
State Officials Met Secretly To Discuss Options If High Court Strikes Subsidies
The Wall Street Journal reports that officials flew to Chicago in early May to brainstorm what they might do if the Supreme Court voids subsidies in about three dozen states that rely on a federal insurance exchange. They found few options. Other stories look at the continued growth of high-deductible insurance plans and at a report finding that the health law’s co-ops generally offered lower rates last year but did not meet enrollment targets.
Insurers Seek Hefty Rate Increases For Obamacare Plans
In the three dozen states that are using healthcare.gov as their health law insurance marketplace, insurers are requesting widely different rate increases — often in the double digits — which reportedly are driven by factors such as the high cost of drugs and better data on the health status of customers, according to information released Monday by the federal government.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Treating HIV; The Need For Calif.’s Vaccination Bill; Bogus Chocolate Study
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
News outlets report on health issues from Connecticut, Massachusetts, Kentucky, New Mexico, Texas, North Carolina, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and New York.
