Latest KFF Health News Stories
Fla. Lawmakers’ Medicaid Expansion Plans Draw Attacks From Conservative Group
The Americans for Prosperity, an advocacy group financed by the Koch brothers, is taking aim at Florida Senate President Andy Gardiner, a Republican, and others in the state senate. In response, a coalition of business leaders released a letter thanking them for their work on the issue. In other Medicaid news, California will seek a federal waiver to continue its health reform plans, and Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., places blame for future shortcomings in geriatric care on Missouri legislators’ failure to pursue an expansion of the state-federal health insurance program for people with low incomes.
High Court Decision Likely To Chill Medi-Cal Lawsuits
Experts say the decision tilts the legal landscape in future disputes between Medi-Cal and health care providers and their patients.
Supreme Court: Medicaid Providers Can’t Sue States To Raise Reimbursement Rates
In a 5-4 decision, the high court ruled Tuesday that hospitals and other health care providers can’t sue a state in an effort to have Medicaid rates increased in keeping with rising medical costs.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
High Court Sides With Idaho In Medicaid Reimbursement Rate Case
The Supreme Court ruled that private health care providers can’t sue states to force them to increase their Medicaid reimbursement rates in keeping with increasing medical costs.
Viewpoints: Don’t Look A Medicare ‘Gift Horse’ In The Mouth; Rising Obamacare Premiums
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
A selection of health policy stories from Georgia, Nebraska, Connecticut, Texas, Kansas, Iowa, California and Indiana.
Florida Officials Push To Remove Medicaid 30-Day Waiting Period
In other Medicaid news, West Virginia will switch its enrollees from a monthly enrollment card to an annual one — a step that is expected to lead to $2.5 million in savings. Also, a new study finds that New Jersey ranks last in the nation in terms of the doctors willing to treat Medicaid recipients.
Ariz. Gov. Signs Controversial Abortion Restrictions Bill
The measure requires that providers inform women that they can reverse the effects of drug-induced abortion. It also bars women from buying insurance via the federal health exchange that includes abortion coverage.
Delay Of Care Impacted Vet’s Life, Report Finds
A VA office’s assessment of an Indiana clinic that treated the 70-year old veteran found the man’s cancer should have been diagnosed sooner. The VA is also being urged to address the needs of the growing number of women veterans.
NIH Taps Top Doctors, Researchers And Business Leaders To Update U.S. Medical System
One of the first tasks for this group will be helping to create a 1 million person volunteer study, which is a big piece of the White House’s precision medicine initiative. In other news, the National Institute of Mental Health unveils its five-year strategic plan for research priorities.
Hospitals, Doctors Turn To Care Coordinators To Help Keep Older Patients Healthy
The coordinators help make sure patients get follow-up medical care and proper medications.
For The Health Sector, Monday Was Marked By Takeovers And Acquisitions
The Wall Street Journal reports that pharmaceutical companies showed that they remain willing to merge with other companies, as Teva Pharmaceuticals acquired Auspex Pharmaceuticals and Horizon Pharma announced that it would purchase Hyperion Therapeutics.
The nation’s largest insurer will acquire Catamaran Corp. for about $12.8 billion. Pharmacy benefit managers are viewed as a key element in efforts to negotiate the prescription drug prices paid by customers.
House-Passed Doc Fix Bill Offers Protections For Physicians Against Medical Malpractice Suits
The New York Times details some of the specifics of these protections. Meanwhile, The Hill reports on why the Senate left town without finishing work on the Medicare physician payment overhaul — thereby leaving doctor payments in limbo.
Medicaid Expansion Bill Clears Montana Senate But Faces Hurdles In House
In Tennessee, Gov. Bill Haslam urges fellow Republicans to look beyond ideological opposition to consider Medicaid expansion in that state, while Kansas’ rejection of the program is cited as a factor in the financial difficulties of several failing hospitals.
High Court Rejects Challenge To Health Law’s Cost-Cutting Panel
The case, Coons v. Lew, challenged the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act’s Independent Payment Advisory Board. This panel, which was sometimes called a death panel by its critics, was created to control Medicare costs. IPAB opponents vow to continue their efforts, eyeing a congressional repeal as another course of action.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Health Law ‘Checkup’; Reid’s Legacy; GOP’s ‘Useful’ Budget; Attempting To Fool Cancer
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
State Highlights: More States Advance ‘Right-To-Try’ Laws; N.Y.’s Out-Of-Network Protections Start
A selection of health policy stories from Indiana, California, South Carolina, New York, Connecticut, Missouri and Washington.
