Latest KFF Health News Stories
Democratic Split Could Torpedo Passage Of Calif. ‘Right To Die’ Bill
As the legislation heads toward a crucial vote in an Assembly committee Tuesday, analysts say it looks unlikely that California will become the latest state to legalize physician-assisted suicide this year. Some point to a split among Democrats from more affluent, white districts and those from Latino districts.
Detroit-Area Cancer Doctor Faces Possible Life In Prison
Dr. Farid Fata, who pleaded guilty to Medicare fraud in September, overtreated hundreds of patients, a government witness testified Monday.
Study Raises New Questions About Mammogram ‘Overdiagnosis’
The research in JAMA Internal Medicine finds that the number of breast cancer diagnoses rose with more aggressive screenings, but the number of deaths remained the same. Also highlighted by a JAMA editorial is the controversy over whether the FDA should approve a “female Viagra.”
Nonprofit, For-Profit Groups Vie For Control Of Lucrative Breast Milk Market
The nonprofit groups generally say milk distribution should be altruistic, while for-profit companies argue mothers deserve to be compensated, The Associated Press reports. Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette examines why paying cash for prescription drugs may be cheaper than using your insurance card.
Recent Outbreaks From Food Infections Signal Safety Gaps In Supply Chain
Some of the outbreaks have been noted in foods that in the past rarely caused problems. Other public health issues in the news include articles on FDA consideration of new rules for vape shops, the increasing use of antipsychotic drugs among teens and concerns about Lyme disease.
Medicaid Uncertainty Means Drug Treatment Expansion On Hold In N.H.
The state is also scheduled to hold more public hearings on a transition to Medicaid managed care. Elsewhere, after securing Medicaid for some children in California illegally, advocates mull coverage for the rest of the family, and Illinois and Maryland deal with their own issues in the safety-net program for the poor.
Lawmakers On Capitol Hill Weigh Adding Billions To NIH Budget
The medical research agency’s popularity, fears that the U.S. is losing ground to foreign competitors and congressional efforts to show bipartisanship are contributing to political support for the proposed funding increase.
CMS Softens On New Medical Billing Code, Offers Transition Period
The new codes, known as ICD-10, are seen by some as overly bureaucratic, but are slated to begin Oct. 1. The Obama administration says it won’t deny most claims during a 12-month transition. Elsewhere, the lack of federal data on industry payments to nurses is scrutinized, while sick docs and telemedicine are also examined.
Antitrust Jitters Surround Humana, Aetna Merger
Despite Aetna CEO’s assurances that antitrust concerns would not stop the company’s purchase of its smaller rival Humana, shares of Humana closed Monday 15.4 percent below the value of Aetna’s cash-and-stock offer, suggesting investors had worries. Aetna’s stock also fell Monday.
San Francisco Worries About Obamacare’s Financial Burdens
County officials are considering helping residents pay for health insurance plans offered through Covered California, the state’s online marketplace. Meanwhile, a study confirms what many consumers already know — figuring out which doctors are in Obamacare plans is difficult.
GOP Eyes Medical Device Tax, Change To Filibuster Rules To Fight Health Law
Congressional Republicans think they may have the votes to force President Barack Obama to accept a repeal of the medical device tax, which helps fund the health law, thanks to support from some Democrats. Some Republican candidates for president are also pushing for a change in the Senate’s filibuster rules so they can vote to repeal the law but others in the party oppose that.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Birthday Fixes For Medicare, Medicaid; Law Reduces Competition
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Media outlets cover health care developments in California, Colorado, Maryland, New Jersey, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Florida, New Hampshire, Kansas, Virginia and Washington.
Veterans Seeking Private Care Finding Delays Similar To VA System, Inspector Says
A program meant to provide private health care to help expedite treatment for veterans who were suffering long delays inside the VA health system is suffering from the same delays, the VA’s watchdog says. And a veterans hotline meant to help those returning from service struggles without Pentagon funding.
Medicare May Soon Pay Doctors For End-Of-Life Planning, Advocates Say
A provision like this in early drafts of the health law spurred concerns about “death panels” among the law’s critics, but advocates say such conversations would help patients and reduce costs. Other Medicare news looks at telemedicine reimbursement.
U.S. Sees First Measles Death Since 2003
The disease killed a Washington state woman who had other health conditions and was taking medications that suppressed her immune system. Officials think the woman was exposed in a health facility.
Study: States Have Enacted 51 Abortion Restrictions This Year
The report from the Guttmacher Institute, which supports abortion rights, said lawmakers have enacted more restrictions so far this year than all of last year. Elsewhere, a federal lawsuit over the safety of a laparoscopic power morcellator, used in hysterectomies, is settled for an undisclosed amount.
Some States Seek To Cushion Patients’ Out-Of-Pocket Costs For Drugs
The move by a handful of states comes as increasing numbers of expensive specialty drugs arrive on the market, according to Stateline. In other news, The Washington Post examines navigators who help cancer patients and the changes in lifestyle that some people are making to fight Alzheimer’s. Also, The New York Times looks at the growing field of concussion medicine and concerns that much of the science around it is “sketchy.”
House Bill Would Cut NIH Spending Boost
GOP leaders released an updated version of the medical cures bill just before the long weekend that slightly reduces a funding increase for the National Institutes of Health. Meanwhile, the implications of FDA approval of a costly cystic fibrosis treatment are explored. Other stories look at FDA approval of a new blood test developed by Theranos and the agency’s plans to investigate codeine cold and cough drugs for children.
