Latest KFF Health News Stories
Obamacare Draws Praise, Criticism In Appalachia
USA Today and The Louisville Courier-Journal examine how the Affordable Care Act has put down roots in Floyd County, Ky., in ways both surprising and expected. And Kaiser Health News notes there’s still time to avoid next year’s tax penalty for not having health insurance.
Enforcement Of Birth Control Mandate Temporarily Halted For Pa. Catholic Groups
The Supreme Court stopped enforcement of the health law’s birth-control mandate against several Catholic organizations in Pennsylvania, pending a response from the Obama administration. Meanwhile, a Kaiser Family Foundation report finds that some women are paying hefty fees for contraception, despite a health law requirement that insurers provide no-cost access to FDA-approved methods.
Florida Governor Vows To Sue Obama Administration Over Hospital Funding
Gov. Rick Scott says the federal government is illegally trying to coerce Florida into expanding its Medicaid program by withholding funds for hospitals.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Changing Views About Right To Health Care; Fla.’s ‘Fiscal Folly’ On Medicaid
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Longer Looks: A Son’s Mental Illness; Medicare And Nursing Homes; Revamping The MCAT
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
State Highlights: Vaccination Bills Pending in Calif., Colo.; N.J. Cities Pass Paid Sick-Leave Laws
News outlets offer articles on health care issues from California, Colorado, New Jersey, Florida, Texas, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Carolina, Vermont and Mississippi.
Health IT Chief Wants More Patients To Seek Electronic Medical Records
Elsewhere, the government’s $30 billion push to encourage hospitals and doctors to adopt electronic health records is slow to achieve its goals.
Over-Budget VA Hospital Construction Causes ‘Heartburn And Angst’ For Congress
Lawmakers grilled Veterans Affairs officials over a hospital being built outside Denver, Colo., that is $1 billion over budget, years behind schedule and needs $830 million more to complete. A VA employee also says he was fired for being a whistleblower over that project.
Warning Issued Over Possible Budget-Busting Cost Of New Cystic Fibrosis Drug
In other treatment news, Amgen Inc.’s Corlanor becomes the first new heart failure medication in a dozen years to receive Food and Drug Administration approval. And the health-insurance industry is calling for new rules and oversight of medical devices.
UnitedHealth, HCA Raise Forecasts Based On Quarterly Returns
UnitedHealth Group, the largest U.S. insurer, and HCA Holdings, one of the largest hospital chains, reported better-than-expected first quarter results. But while investors are bullish on the managed care sector, The Wall Street Journal reports signs that medical costs are inching up and could dampen future earnings.
GAO: Government Could Save Billions With Better Vetting Of Medicaid Waivers
Also in the news, state Medicaid programs would be able to get federal funding indefinitely to update their enrollment and eligibility computer systems under a proposed rule. Currently, the funding deadline is Dec. 31.
Doctor With Ties To Indicted Sen. Menendez Arrested
The Florida eye doctor faces bribery charges, and — in a separate case — 46 counts of health care fraud for allegedly submitting false claims to Medicare.
Probe: Medicare Overpays Hospitals Due To Markups
A Wall Street Journal analysis shows that many hospitals increased prices faster than their costs rose, affecting payments for complicated cases known as “cost outliers,” where they can charge Medicare their actual costs. Another study finds that millions of older people are getting unnecessary tests to prove they are healthy enough to have cataracts removed.
New Ariz. Law Would Keep State From Setting Up Its Own Exchange
The measure’s impact could be significant if the Supreme Court rejects federal subsidies in King V. Burwell. Meanwhile, plans are moving forward to beef up oversight of Colorado’s health exchange.
Fla. Lawmakers Still Deadlocked Over Medicaid Expansion, Health Spending Issues
Meanwhile, in other coverage, The Washington Post reports on how state decisions to pursue the expansion of the low-income health insurance program are impacting residents’ access to mental health care services.
Employers See Modest Increases In Health Care Premiums As Workers Sign Up
In the meantime, the IRS chief says there’s no backup plan if the Supreme Court strikes down some health law subsidies. And Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton suggests she may be open to making some changes to the law.
Medicare Changes In ‘Doc Fix’ Bill OK’d By Congress Has Benefits, Risks
News outlets analyze the various components of this legislation, which also includes renewed funding for state insurance programs for children and thousands of community health centers.
GOP Lawmakers See Different Opportunities In Budget Reconciliation
Republican House and Senate leaders will have to settle on a list of key priorities for this fast-track budget procedure to avoid a partisan free-for-all. Meanwhile, now that the bipartisan measure to address Medicare’s physician payment formula has cleared both chambers, bickering is coming back.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
