Latest KFF Health News Stories
Health Sector Business Climate Good For Deal-Making, Acquisitions And Spin-Offs
Anthem’s CFO said the potential for a “meaningful” merger within the insurance industry would shrink the field of major players. Johnson & Johnson is entering a development and marketing deal with Achillion Pharmaceuticals on one or more of the drugmaker’s hepatitis C drugs. And Walgreens is relaunching its home-infusion division as a separate company.
Congress Advances Measures Giving Women In The Military Greater Access To Contraceptives
The House’s defense policy bill says military clinics and hospitals must offer any method of contraception approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Similar efforts are moving in the Senate too. Also on the issue of contraception, a federal court has denied for the second time Notre Dame’s challenge to the contraception-coverage requirements in the health law.
Meningitis Outbreak Victims To Get Compensation From $200 Million Fund
A federal bankruptcy judge approved the compensation pool for victims and creditors impacted by tainted steroid shots produced at a Massachusetts compounding pharmacy. In other court news, a synthetic marijuana prosecution hangs in the balance as Iowa struggles to define Schedule I chemicals.
Global Activists To Challenge Patents On Breakthrough Hep C Drugs Due to Price
Other health reporters examine the cancer risks related to dense breasts, improper gluten-free labeling on probiotics and its risks to those with celiac disease, stablizing metabolic syndrome rates and the possible overuse of an asthma drug.
‘Sham’ Cancer Charities Accused Of Misusing $187 Million In Donations
Money donors gave to pay for pain medications, hospice services and other cancer care was instead spent by a family on personal items like meals and dating websites, according to a civil complaint filed by federal officials.
New Data Rate Hospital Performance On Popular Elective Surgeries
U.S. News and World Report released the data on coronary artery bypass grafts and hip and knee replacements, which 1.4 million patients get every year. Elsewhere, a new program allows patients to borrow money to pay their medical bills.
Number Of ‘Underinsured’ Rising, With 1 In 4 At Financial Risk From Medical Bills: Study
A report warns that an estimated 31 million people are insured by health plans that would not protect them enough from high medical bills. Rising deductibles were cited as the biggest problem.
Dispute Over Federal Hospital Funding Threatens Safety-Net Hospitals In Texas
In states such as Texas and Florida, that have not expanded Medicaid and are facing a cut in federal hospital funds, the future is uncertain for many hospitals. The Texas Tribune examines which hospitals are at risk, while Florida news outlets report that a plan by the governor is not gaining traction among hospital executives. Also, elsewhere hospital officials in North Carolina seek Medicaid changes.
Former CBO Chief Says It Was ‘Common Understanding’ Subsidies Were For All States
The comments by Doug Elmendorf, who headed the Congressional Budget Office that scored the cost of the health law, go to the heart of the current case before the Supreme Court. In other news about federal funding, a discrepancy between cost estimates threatens a key drug bill, senators set up a funding caucus for NIH and the new head of CBO talks about plans for analyzing health spending.
Kansas Legislators Add ‘New Twist’ To Medicaid Expansion Debate
Some lawmakers are contemplating a plan to eliminate the state’s earned income tax credit in favor of expanding the low-income health insurance program. Meanwhile, in Utah, Salt Lake City’s police chief casts the expansion as a way to prevent crime.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Concerns About Medicaid Successes; Raiding Medicare
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
News outlets examine health care issues in California, Florida, Texas, Alabama, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Arizona, New Hampshire and Massachusetts.
In Push For Better Market Position, Endo To Buy Par Pharmaceutical For $8 Billion
Dublin-based Endo is steadily consolidating its market share amid a wave of mergers of generic drug businesses.
Sen. Lindsey Graham To Join Crowded Field Vying For Republican Nomination
As Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., takes steps to launch his presidential bid, The Associated Press outlines his positions on the health law, abortion, Medicare spending and other issues. Also from the Republican campaign trail, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal forms an exploratory committee and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz’s health insurance status again makes the news.
Doctor Group Pushes For ‘High Value’ Cancer Screening
In an effort to reduce some of the confusion associated with cancer screening, the American College of Physicians reviewed prominent cancer screening guidelines to find less intensive testing strategies that still garner broad expert consensus. The group focused on five specific tests.
Maine Lawmaker Urges Backup Plan If High Court Overturns Health Law Subsidies
Rep. Bruce Poliquin, R-Maine, is warning that, without a plan, consumers will likely face chaos in the insurance marketplace if the Supreme Court justices rule against this provision. Also in news from Congress, the markup of the “Cures” bill is slated to begin today while Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., introduces legislation aimed at high drug prices.
In Budget Compromise, Minn. Lawmakers Opt Against Changes To State Health Exchange
Republicans had sought to close down the troubled marketplace, called MNsure, and Democrats had hoped to make it a state agency. Also in news about state exchanges, the Kansas legislature is not contemplating any changes to help residents keep subsidies if the Supreme Court strikes them down on the federal health marketplace, and Vermont insurers are seeking a rate increase.
Florida Hospitals Reject Gov. Scott’s Plan For Profit Sharing
The governor’s proposal was meant to offer a way for some hospitals to withstand the loss of funding that the federal government has said will end soon, as well as the lack of increased revenues since the state has not opted to expand its Medicaid program. That expansion controversy is at the heart of a legislative impasse that has stalled the state budgeting process.
Medicaid Expansion Has Been Bigger Than Expected And Some States Fear Costs
The federal government is picking up all expenses for the new enrollees now but eventually 10 percent of that cost will fall to the states. Plus, states are on the hook for beneficiaries who have moved into Medicaid and qualified under old rules. Also, get a look at one community health clinic in Missouri, which did not expand Medicaid.
