Latest KFF Health News Stories
News outlets examine health care issues in California, Florida, Arizona, Connecticut, North Carolina, Massachusetts, New York and Illinois.
Change In Kansas Medicaid Coverage Of Mental Health Drugs Faces Last Legislative Step
Meanwhile, in California, a study found that dental-related emergency room visits went up after dental benefits were removed from the state’s Medicaid program.
Ga. State Audit: Easier To Get A Bed In A Nursing Home Than Home Care
In other news regarding the nursing home industry, regulators in Wyoming and Nebraska take action to assume control of troubled facilities in their states.
Riding The Digital Wave To Health And Wellness
The Washington Post reports on how the business of new, high-tech efforts to quantify the healthiness of consumers’ lifestyles is evolving into big business with immense health and privacy ramifications. In other news, USA Today offers an update regarding federal regulations of wellness plans.
Medical School Students Get International Experience — In The U.S.
A program in Colorado helps students serve immigrants,, and gain valuable insight into how they navigate the U.S. health care system. Elsewhere, a decline in medical research could lead to fewer new therapies and a decline in the quality of health care, some worry.
Congressman Faults FDA’s Response To Calif. Superbug Outbreak
Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Calif., says the agency was slow to answer a letter from members of Congress on the problem.
Cancer Care’s New Therapies: Personalized Care, Blood Tests, Liquid Biopsies
New ways to treat cancer are emerging, including using personalized ways of treating patients using their own genetic code. And genetic testing is growing as the industry expects sales to grow to $25 billion in six years.
Vertex Cystic-Fibrosis Drug Slated For FDA Advisory Panel Consideration
A Food and Drug Administration advisory panel is scheduled this week to consider whether to recommend this new drug for approval. Also in the news, GlaxoSmithKline joins with American researchers in the push to find a cure for AIDS.
Huckabee Defends Paid Appearance For Company Selling Diabetes ‘Cure’
Meanwhile, Jeb Bush delivered a commencement address at Liberty University in which he criticized the health law’s contraception mandate.
Kentucky Hospitals Say Obamacare Not Helping Them Thrive
Meanwhile, a report by the New York City comptroller warns that the public hospital system could confront a major cash squeeze within four years if federal cuts to hospitals that treat large numbers of poor and uninsured patients go into effect as scheduled.
Fla. Governor’s Medicaid Reversal Complicates State’s Budget Progress
Elsewhere, Georgia’s governor outlines a plan to seek a Medicaid waiver proposed by a hospital to cover more state residents. And Alaska lawmakers continue to work on expansion in that state.
Feds To Tighten Rules For ACA Health Plans’ Provider Directories
Officials plan to require insurers to update provider directories at least once a month, with financial penalties for those who don’t. They are also looking at creating an “out-of-pocket cost calculator” to help consumers estimate their total annual costs under a given plan, not just their premiums. Meanwhile, the Treasury Department’s Inspector General faults the IRS for not making its own subsidy calculator tool available to the public, and some states scramble to make health coverage plans to protect residents getting federal exchange subsidies in case the Supreme Court invalidates them.
Only 1 In 10 Polled Are Highly Confident The Supreme Court Can Rule Fairly On Obamacare
The Associated Press-GfK poll shows that a majority wants the court to allow health insurance subsidies to continue in its pending King v. Burwell decision. In a Reuters/Ipsos poll, 60 percent say they favor the Affordable Care Act. In this shifting landscape, lawmakers continue to mull changes to the health law, but Democrats say Republicans are blocking measures that have bipartisan support.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: GOP’s Surprising Entitlement Message; Court May Revisit Medicaid In Fla. Case
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Research Roundup: SHOP Marketplaces; Trauma Survival; Redesigning Geriatric Care
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
News outlets examine health care issues in California, Connecticut, Ohio, D.C., Colorado, Minnesota, Hawaii and North Carolina.
Waiting Periods, Ultrasounds Are Among States’ Roadblocks To Abortion
The New York Times and The Washington Post examine state-level policy developments related to access to abortion and reproductive rights.
Hep C Infection Rates Soaring In Appalachia
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the increase is related to injectable prescription pain killer abuse. Meanwhile, in Indiana, officials hope an HIV outbreak also connected to needle sharing and drug abuse may be coming under control. CQ Healthbeat reports that recent public health concerns have led GOP lawmakers who generally have opposed needle-exchange programs to rethink their positions.
Drugmaker Sues FDA Over Right To Promote Off-Label Drug Use
The federal government has frowned on off-label drug discussions and, in some cases, fined drug companies engaging in the practice. News outlets report the lawsuit could have broad implications for the pharmaceutical industry. In other news, the California Supreme Court has revived a class-action suit regarding a pay-to-delay strategy by pharmaceutical giant Bayer.
