Latest KFF Health News Stories
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.
Hint Of Higher Hospital Spending Sends Health Insurer Stocks Plummeting
Despite the higher cost indications from Humana officials, most of the nation’s biggest insurers have hiked earnings expectations for 2015 based on strong first-quarter results.
Auditor: States Might Be Propping Up Exchanges Illegally
A federal auditor warns that some states may be using federal grants illegally to finance their health insurance exchanges, which are supposed to be self-supporting. And an Urban Institute study finds small businesses are most vulnerable to steep insurance increases if the Supreme Court rejects federal-exchange subsidies, while a San Antonio experiment in payment reform produces results.
Insurers Violate Health Law’s Protections For Women, Studies Find
The National Women’s Law Center said Wednesday it had found violations in many health-plan documents regarding coverage of birth control and other issues in more than a dozen states. Responding to the findings, several Congressional Democrats called for better enforcement of the health law.
Red States Increasingly Seek Work Requirements As Part Of Medicaid Expansion Efforts
The efforts, however, are not winning support in the Obama administration. Meanwhile, Montana’s governor signs the state’s expansion bill and Florida legislature is still at an impasse over the issue.
House Leaders Unveil New Bill To Speed Drugs To Market
The legislation, known as the 21st Century Cures bill, also overhauls the Food and Drug Administration and the National Institutes of Health, boosting funding for the latter.
Republicans Divided On Response If High Court Voids Obamacare Subsidies
GOP lawmakers have yet to unite behind a single strategy if the Supreme Court overturns the health law’s insurance subsidies in about three dozen states. Most of the proposals being considered, however, would put off the pain of millions of Americans losing their subsidies until after the 2016 elections. The justices are expected to rule in June.
GOP Lawmakers Agree On Blending House And Senate Budget Blueprints
The non-binding budget resolution will set up flash points with the Obama administration over a range of issues, including the health law, the health care safety net and spending on domestic programs.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
News outlets cover health care issues in Indiana, Minnesota, California, Georgia, Kansas, New Jersey, Maryland, Illinois, Massachusetts, Arizona and Texas.
In Mass., Opioid Use Claims More Than 1,000 Lives In 2014
This number, which was released Tuesday, is a 33 percent increase over 2012 and is leading state officials to call for a comprehensive response.
Consumer Group Sues Cigna Over Mail Order Drug Rules
Consumer Watchdog says the policy, which requires medication to be dispensed via the mail, discriminates against people with HIV and AIDS because it is unreliable, might violate their privacy and prevents them from interacting in person with a pharmacist. Meanwhile, big companies are considering adding some genetic tests to wellness programs and the parent company of Milwaukee’s Assurant Health says it will be shut or sold.
Aetna May Reconsider 2016 Obamacare Rates If High Court Rejects Subsidies
Nonetheless, the nation’s third largest insurer has increased its 2015 earnings forecast. Also in insurance company news, Anthem touts its effort to change how it pays primary care doctors as it delivers stronger-than-expected earnings. And Humana is helping members boost their health — and hold down medical costs — by developing health apps for mobile phones.
