Latest KFF Health News Stories
Advocates Complain Of Continued Poor-Quality VA Care
While waiting times have dropped in many facilities, some vets and their advocates contend quicker visits are masking deeper problems of understaffing, inexperienced doctors and poor care quality. The Seattle Times tells the story of one man who lost his leg after multiple surgeries over several years.
Hospitals Struggle To Improve Patient Satisfaction Scores
The federal government considers patient survey results when setting hospital pay levels. Also in the news, Reuters reports that letting patients see their medical records might ease their confusion and worry.
Sebelius Spoke With Feds Regarding Menendez Investigation
Politico reports that former Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius spoke with federal authorities regarding a private meeting with Sen. Bob Menendez, a New Jersey Democrat who is at the center of a criminal probe related to the Medicare billing practices of a close friend and benefactor. The Associated Press notes the case will pose a major challenge for the Justice Department’s anti-corruption unit.
New GOP Push: Restore OTC Drugs As Eligible For Health Savings Accounts
Meanwhile, a bipartisan bill in the Senate to legalize medical marijuana under federal law is slated for introduction Tuesday. In addition, congressional physicians are seeking accommodations for doctors during the transition to ICD-10 coding and the governor of Oklahoma endorses efforts by some congressional Republicans to soften the impact if the Supreme Court overturns some of the health law’s insurance subsidies.
Study Finds Many Marketplace Plans Don’t Meet Mental Health Parity Rules
The researchers found that about a quarter of plans had online information suggesting they don’t follow health law provisions to treat mental and physical conditions similarly. Also in health law news, an analysis suggests how states could switch to a local marketplace to avoid fallout from a possible Supreme Court decision striking subsidies on the federal exchange and Jeb Bush talks about his view of the health overhaul.
Supreme Court Orders New Look At Notre Dame’s Contraceptive Challenge
The justices asked the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to reconsider its decision against the Roman Catholic university in light of the June 2014 Supreme Court ruling allowing certain privately owned corporations to seek exemptions from the health law’s mandate that female employees have access to contraceptives free of charge. A Baltimore-area order of nuns found hope in the ruling.
Fla. Senate Panel To Consider Controversial Medicaid Expansion Plan
Elsewhere, an Alaskan GOP lawmaker previews a Medicaid reform proposal that does not include a provision to expand the program through the federal health law while Democrats in Montana blast a committee’s action last week to kill the governor’s expansion plan. News outlets in Utah, Pennsylvania, Colorado and Oregon also offer related updates.
Obamacare Enrollment Tally Climbs To 11.7 Million
On Monday, Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell Mathews announced this total, which reflects sign-ups on the state and federal insurance exchanges through Feb. 22. The overall count is likely to increase more because of extended enrollment periods through April that were created for people who learn about the penalties for not having insurance when they file their taxes.
CBO Again Lowers Health Law’s Cost Estimates
In its latest projection, the Congressional Budget Office sharply drops its estimates of what the health law will cost for the 2015-19 period.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Health Law And Federalism; Medicaid’s Dental Benefits; Autism And Vaccines
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
State Highlights: States Consider Death-With-Dignity Policies
A selection of health policy stories from Oregon, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Texas, West Virginia, Kansas, Iowa, North Carolina and California.
Care For Dementia, Alzheimers Patients Includes Support For Families
News outlets report on strategies for ensuring the well-being of both patients and their family members.
Fitness And Health Apps Pose Challenges For Doctors, Despite Potential
In other technology news, the Food and Drug Administration issued an app to be used specifically to search out information related to drug shortages.
Results From 140 Veterans Affairs Investigations Have Not Been Released, USA Today Reports
The newspaper says the lack of public disclosure of investigations going back to 2006 may leave “dangerous problems to fester.” Meanwhile, Sen. Al Franken reintroduces legislation to help veterans and one charity works with technology firms to get services for vets.
Mayo’s Financial Results Stand Out When Compared With Hospital Trends
Also in the news, some analysts continue to press for pricing transparency within the health care sector.
FDA Approves First Biosimilar Drug
By giving its OK for the first time to a so-called biosimilar drug, the Food and Drug Administration cleared the way for less costly alternatives to an entire class of complex and costly drugs.
Report: Critical Access Hospitals Get Billions In Extra Medicare Funds
In other Medicare news, Medicare Advantage plans, as well as health policies sold in the federally run health exchange, will be required — starting next year — to provide up-to-date details about which doctors are in their plans and taking new patients.
Senator’s Connections To Florida Doctor Could Lead To Corruption Charges
A federal investigation has focused on financial connections between Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., and Florida doctor Salomon Melgen, who is facing a probe into his billing practices.
Medicare Pay Fix Part Of Budget Bill Queue That Highlights GOP Divisions
Meanwhile, Senate Democrats plan to introduce a measure that would expand Medicaid coverage to include contraception coverage for low-income women.
