Latest KFF Health News Stories
New Generation Of Pharma Deal Makers Takes The Spotlight
The Wall Street Journal reports that many of these drug industry movers and shakers are not yet household names but are clearly beginning to show their marketplace muscle. The Journal also details cost trends in generic drug pricing and reports on Novartis’s first-quarter earnings.
Bipartisan Legislation To Repeal Health Insurance Tax Gains Momentum
The bill, which would undo a health law provision that charges insurers an annual fee to help pay for the overhaul, is now backed by a majority of House lawmakers. In other legislative news, GOP budget negotiators may have found a way to pay for the recently enacted Medicare “doc fix.” Also, the Senate approved a human trafficking bill after overcoming an impasse related to abortion funding restrictions and the House passed a bipartisan cybersecurity bill.
Most Cancer Hospitals Participate In ‘Some’ Exchange Plans
The analysis by Avalere Health surveyed 20 cancer centers and found 75 percent participated in at least “some” of the exchange plans in their state.
Florida Senators Say Gov. Scott’s Actions Are Not Helping Resolve Medicaid Logjam
Lawmakers complain the governor’s threats are not helpful in getting a compromise on the issue of Medicaid expansion. News outlets also look at the controversy about expansion in Alaska, how Tennessee may lose federal funding for uncompensated care related to the legislature’s failure to pass an expansion bill and a vote by the Ohio House to keep the governor’s expansion program in place.
IRS Reports 8 Million Unanswered Phone Calls
During Capitol Hill testimony, the Internal Revenue Service commissioner said the agency cut many taxpayer services to pay for the enforcement of the health law and other activities.
GAO: Healthcare.gov Has Multiple Cyber ‘Incidents’
A report detailing those incidents will be released later this year. Meanwhile, the streamlined computer systems built for the health care law are resulting in more food stamp applicants and a survey suggests healthcare.gov needs a brand makeover.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
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.
