Latest KFF Health News Stories
News outlets examine health care issues in Massachusetts, Texas, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Utah, Indiana, New York, South Carolina and California.
In other related news, Kansas abortion opponents are pressing for a rewrite of state health and safety regulations on abortion providers and Tenn. Gov. Bill Haslam signed into law stricter standards for abortion clinics.
Ohio Budget Provision Puts Medicaid Coverage At Risk For Some Poor Children, Adults
News outlets also report on Medicaid-related developments in Alaska, North Carolina and Texas.
Fighting ‘Superbugs’ Could Require Multibillion-Dollar Investment
An economist from the United Kingdom says the global community will need as much as $37 billion over 10 years to fight the threat. In the U.S., hospitals look for ways to better clean scopes — often a source of hospital-acquired infections.
Reward Vs. Penalty: Study Examines Most Effective Incentive To Quit Smoking
Researchers found that the risk of losing money if a person failed to stay off cigarettes doubled the chances of smoking cessation success.
VA Improperly Spent $6 Billion On Medical Care And Supplies, Internal Memo Says
The Veterans Affairs senior procurement official sent a memo to VA Sec. Robert McDonald saying the department violated federal contracting rules and engaged in “gross mismanagement.”
Investment Firms Direct Retirees On Health Expenses
Big brokerage firms like Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley are offering advice to wealthier retirees on health care expenses. Elsewhere, a billionaire sounds the baby-boomer health care-costs alarm, and PBS NewsHour looks at COBRA versus Medicare coverage.
A $38,000 Outpatient Surgical Bill Justified By Regional Hospital Price Variations
A former health-insurance worker was surprised and concerned that her Havasu, Ariz., hospital charged so much for an hour-long eye-lid procedure. But her health insurer agreed to pay nearly $30,000, saying the charges were “allowable.” Elsewhere, the Montana Supreme Court revived a case accusing hospitals of unfairly charging different rates for insured and uninsured patients.
21st Century Cures Legislation A Fast-Moving Target For Biomedical Interests, Intiatives
House Energy & Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton, R-Mich., says a funding boost for the Food and Drug Administration is going to be added when the measure is considered by the full committee next week.
House OKs Measure To Ban Abortions After 20 Weeks
The bill, which was a revised version of earlier legislation that GOP leaders pulled after objections from their own caucus, passed 242 to 184. It is expected to face a tough path in the Senate and has already triggered a veto threat from the White House.
Colorado Lawmakers Question Proposed Fee Hikes For State Exchange
Meanwhile, Hawaii plans to use the federal government’s software to run its troubled state exchange. And the counties making up metro Atlanta had the highest Obamacare enrollment in Georgia.
Expansion Debates Reheat As Medicaid Enrollment Exceeds Expectations
The lines are particularly stark between expansion and non-expansion states. Meanwhile, news outlets in Louisiana, Alaska and Tennessee also report on the latest developments.
GOP Senator Wants States To Be Able To Opt Out Of Obamacare If Subsidies Are Struck
Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, a freshman senator and a physician, recommends allowing states to opt out of the health law if the Supreme Court strikes down subsidies in federal exchange states. Meanwhile, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi said the GOP will “rue the day” if the court strikes the subsidies.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Health Law Opposition Can Be Costly; Bosses Should Help Workers Get Medicaid
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
News outlets examine health care issues in Vermont, Missouri, New York, Indiana, California, Georgia, Minnesota, Oregon, North Carolina, Wisconsin and Arizona.
State Medicaid Records Sometimes Incomplete, Report Finds
Based on a study of Illinois, New York and California, the Government Accountability Office concluded that state records regarding Medicaid provider payments are sometimes inaccurate or incomplete. Meanwhile, Ohio settles a pending lawsuit regarding Medicaid recipients who were dropped from the program after state officials “redetermined” eligibility. And, in Wisconsin, an audit highlights problems with a Medicaid transportation contractor.
FDA Proposes To Ease Restrictions On Gay Blood Donors
The policy, if implemented, would allow gay men to donate blood if they have abstained from sex with men for a year. The current policy bans donations from men if they have ever had sex with other men.
Gay Couples May Marry For Health Coverage — If Supreme Court Lets Them
Some employers say gay couples must marry in order to gain coverage for their partners. Elsewhere, some insurers are paying hospitals what they think they should pay for care.
High Costs Of Hep C Meds Are Breaking VA Budget
To tackle the problem, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., suggested to the Department of Veterans Affairs that it use its emergency powers to override patents on the new, more expensive hepatitis C drugs. And a VA official asked senators to allow the agency to shift funds to pay for the treatments. In other budget news, lawmakers refused a VA request to redirect money to pay for an unfinished hospital near Denver.
