Latest KFF Health News Stories
Viewpoints: Faster Drug Approvals; Medical Privacy; Fla. Official’s Opposition To Medicaid Expansion
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Research Roundup: Testing Before Eye Surgery; Health Law Coverage Gains; End-Of-Life Talks
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
News outlets cover health care issues in Massachusetts, Oregon, Florida, Connecticut, Texas, Minnesota, New York, Missouri, Iowa and Indiana.
Declining Birth Rates Pose Challenge For Social Security, Medicare
A writer looks at the implications of declining birth rates for costly programs geared to the elderly. Meanwhile, Steven Brill blames health care costs on high prices in an appearance in Detroit.
White House Rejects Plan To Revamp TRICARE Health System
In related news, Bloomberg offers a bleak status check on efforts to fix the Veterans Affairs’ health care system.
Gilead’s Costly Hep C Drugs Continue To Rack Up Profits
The medications brought in $4.5 billion in the first quarter, far exceeding Wall Street expectations. Insurer Cigna also reported better-than-expected profit growth while hospital operator HealthSouth saw profits fall and Assurant announced it would sell or close its health insurance division.
D.C. Abortion Rights Law Blocked By The House
Late Thursday night, the House approved — on a largely party-line vote — a Republican-backed measure that overturns a D.C. law prohibiting workplace discrimination based on reproductive health choices.
House Passes GOP Compromise Budget Blueprint; Takes Aim At Obamacare
In addition to paving the way for the Republican-controlled Congress to send a health law repeal measure to the president’s desk, the budget framework also includes $430 billion in cuts to Medicare as well as trims to Medicaid, food stamps and other safety net programs. The Senate is expected to consider the combined budget next week.
Republicans Mull Next Move If High Court Voids Subsidies
One option would continue federal exchange subsidies through the 2016 presidential election in exchange for concessions from the president to end the individual and employer insurance mandate. Meanwhile, the 2015 special enrollment period ends in most states today.
Fla. Lawmakers, Governor At Odds On How To Solve Budget Stalemate Over Medicaid Expansion
The Republican leader of the Senate has proposed a timetable for a special session to hammer out a deal, but it’s not yet clear if House leaders, who adamantly oppose expanding Medicaid, will agree.
Study Finds Hospitals In Medicaid Expansion States Are Better Off
Hospitals lose less money on charity care when the states have expanded the health coverage for low-income residents. Also, news outlets look at developments in the Medicaid debates in Kansas, Maine, Louisiana and Arkansas.
Medicare Releases Trove Of Data On Drug Spending, Doctor Prescribing
The release marks the most specific breakdown ever provided by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services regarding the prescription claims of Medicare beneficiaries.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Obama’s ‘Squandered’ Legacy; Challenges Of Telemedicine; New Genetic Tests
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
News outlets cover health care issues in North Carolina, Michigan, California, Massachusetts, Texas, Maryland, Indiana, Kansas and Minnesota.
In Third Attempt, N.C. Senate Passes Autism Coverage Bill
A bill to cover autism treatment has been passed twice by the North Carolina House of Representatives, only to die in the Senate. This week a third bill made it through. Meanwhile, Georgia now requires that insurers provide coverage for autistic children under six as the governor signs the legislation.
Texas, Ala. Consider Further Abortion Restrictions
Elsewhere, the House considers a vote disapproving of a D.C. law stopping employers from firing employees for abortions or contraception use.
R.I. Wrestles With Ways To Reduce State’s Medicaid Costs
Governor Gina Raimondo has advanced proposals to reduce Rhode Island’s Medicaid spending by $90 million to balance the state budget and free up resources to invest in her economic development efforts. Meanwhile, in other news, Massachusetts is also facing health care spending challenges and companies participating in KanCare lose money.
Hospitals Prove Their Importance In Rural Towns
In other news, California hospitals get low grades on patient safety, and South Carolina lawmakers move a bill to make it easier to open new hospitals. Other hospital news comes from Illinois and Georgia.
Doctors Kicked Out Of Medicare Still Billing State Medicaid Programs
Reuters’ special report analyzing state and federal data found that more than one in five doctors or health care providers of the thousands banned from billing Medicare or one state Medicaid program — usually due to an infraction — were still able to file claims under another state’s program. Several states have launched investigations based on the findings.
