Latest KFF Health News Stories
Viewpoints: Gingrich Urges More NIH Funding; Medicare Bill May Signal Era Of Compromise
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
News outlets cover health care issues in Missouri, Colorado, Kansas, Connecticut, Minnesota, Louisiana, Maine, and Texas.
St. Luke’s Loses Bid For Antitrust Case Rehearing
The Idaho-based health system’s request was denied by a federal appeals court, increasing the possibility that this closely watched antitrust case will reach the Supreme Court. In other hospital and health system news, Missouri’s St. Elizabeth’s wins relocation approval, psychiatrists resign from a Texas hospital over questions about drug company speaking and consulting fees, and the Texas’ Citizens Medical Center will pay the federal government $21.8 million to settle allegations over doctors’ referrals.
Calif. Senate Panel Slated To Vote On Vaccine Bill
The committee’s consideration, which is scheduled for Wednesday, is viewed as a do-or-die step for the legislation, which is designed to make it harder for parents to skip their children’s school-required vaccines.
FDA: Complaints About Homeopathic Remedies Spur Review
The agency heard from supporters and critics of products like Zicam Allergy Relief and Cold-Eeze at a two-day hearing. Meanwhile, it issued guidance on how device makers should handle data from overseas clinical trials.
Justice Department Files Lawsuit Against HCR ManorCare Over Medicare Billing
The Justice Department alleges that Ohio-based HCR ManorCare, one of the nation’s largest nursing-home groups, overbilled Medicare for services that were not “medically reasonable and necessary.”
Teva Bid For Rival Spurs Anti-Competitive Concerns
The $40 billion bid by the world’s largest generic drugmaker is expected to bring scrutiny by antitrust regulators. And Amgen raises forecasts on stronger-than-expected drug sales.
Senate GOP leaders insisted on clearing this impasse before taking up Loretta Lynch’s nomination to be attorney general. On the House side, another abortion-related controversy is emerging.
Provider Groups Object To $700 Million Cut To Medicare To Fund Trade Bill
The Trade Adjustment Assistance reauthorization bill would help provide health coverage to workers who lose their jobs because of foreign trade. Groups representing health care providers and senior advocates are concerned because the program is partially bankrolled by a reduction in Medicare funding.
Medicare-Related Curve Ball Could Complicate Budget Negotiations
Two Senate Republicans are eyeing the GOP budget as a second chance to pay for the recent Medicare physician payment overhaul. In other Capitol Hill news, Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., is advancing a back-up plan that would help people keep their insurance coverage if the Supreme Court guts the health law’s subsidies. And the spending bill for the Department of Veterans Affairs draws critcism.
Public Remains Closely Divided On Opinion Of Health Law, With Favorables Gaining
This month’s Kaiser Family Foundation tracking poll finds that 43 percent of Americans have a favorable view of the health care law, while 42 percent have an unfavorable one — the first time since 2012 that the law has been in positive territory. That difference is not considered statistically significant.
Alabama Senate Angers Democrats By Passing Resolution Against Medicaid Expansion
Angry Democratic senators pledge to tie up Senate business after the GOP pushed through a resolution that expressed opposition to any efforts to expand the health care program for low-income residents. News outlets also examined expansion issues in Ohio, Louisiana, New Jersey and Arizona.
CMS To States: Uncompensated Care Funding And Medicaid Expansion Are Linked
The Obama administration argues that expanding Medicaid coverage is a better way to help residents get access to health care than providing special state funding to cover uncompensated care costs by providers. Florida has emerged as a hotbed of activity on this front.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Doctors’ Attack On Dr. Oz; Calif.’s Vaccine Bill; No Tax Day Hysteria
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
News outlets cover health care issues in Texas, Florida, Delaware, Minnesota, California, Indiana, New York and Montana.
Georgia Owes The Feds $100M In Inappropriate Medicaid Payments To Nursing Homes
In other state Medicaid news, a growing population of former inmates is signing up for the program; New Jersey is awaiting an analysis of its backlog of applicants; Iowa’s privatization effort draws scrutiny; and federal officials end a psychiatric hospital pilot program that will have ramifications in Alabama.
FDA Moving ‘Full Steam Ahead’ On Rules To Cut Teens’ Use Of E-Cigarettes
The acting administrator says strengthening tobacco regulations is one of his top priorities. Also, a bipartisan bill introduced in the Senate would give the FDA more authority to regulate cosmetics.
Mammogram Age Guidelines Say Optional In 40s, Definitely By 50
A government task force’s recommendations will affirm controversial guidance issued in 2009 that women who are 50 or older should get a mammogram every two years, but that the screenings may do more harm than good for younger women.
Cardinal Health To Pay $26.8 Million To Settle FTC Drug Inflation Charges
Also in news, the Wall Street Journal’s Pharmalot blog reports that Teva Pharmaceutical agreed to pay $512 million to settle a pay-to-delay case.
