Latest KFF Health News Stories
News outlets report on health issues from Connecticut, Massachusetts, Kentucky, New Mexico, Texas, North Carolina, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and New York.
Appeals Court Strikes Down Idaho’s Ban On Abortions After 20 Weeks
The three-judge panel’s unanimous decision came just weeks after the U.S. House of Representatives approved legislation that would ban abortions after the same time span.
Clinton Advisers Developing Substance Abuse Prevention, Treatment Agenda
Campaign advisers are consulting advocates in Iowa and New Hampshire as they develop campaign stances on these issues. Opiate addiction is taking a heavy toll in New Hampshire and becoming a larger problem in Iowa.
Hacking Of Health Records Alarms Lawmakers, Industry
After investing billions to go digital, the health care industry faces the realization it must spend more to secure patients’ electronic records, reports Politico. Meanwhile, eHealth, the nation’s largest online health insurance broker, faces tough competition from the health law’s exchanges.
GAO Report: Govt.’s Reliance On AMA And Its Data Could Result In Flawed Medicare Rates
In other news, a federal appeals court ruled that drug manufacturer Actavis’ attempted switch of patented Alzheimer’s medication is in violation of antitrust law.
Cancer Drug Manufacturers Criticized For Escalating Costs, Shortages
A prominent cancer specialist called out pharmaceutical companies at a speech before the American Society of Clinical Oncology, saying “cancer-drug prices are not related to the value of the drug.” Other doctors are frustrated by production delays that have left the cancer drug, BCG, in short supply. Shortages of other painkillers and antibiotics have also hamstrung hospitals.
Humana Explores Possible Sale As Health Insurance Marketplace Changes
News outlets report that Humana’s presence in Medicare Advantage program makes it a prime target for acquisition. And, as reports emerged about its possible sale, the insurer’s stock soared.
GOP Lawmakers Face Pushback On Obamacare Repeal Efforts
The Senate parliamentarian suggests that parts of the health law cannot be undone through the obscure procedure known as “reconciliation” because they don’t affect the federal budget. Meanwhile, a study by the nation’s actuaries questions the impact of Republican plans to quell market turmoil should the high court strike down the health law’s insurance subsidies in about three dozen states.
Fla. Lawmakers Return To Special Session Seeking To End Impasse On Budget, Medicaid
There are few signs of progress in reaching a compromise since the legislative session ended abruptly with Republicans in the House and Senate torn about how to handle a cut in federal Medicaid funding for hospitals and the option of expanding the state’s Medicaid program. Across the country in Montana, where the legislature barely passed an expansion bill this year, officials named the panel that will oversee that program and included two prominent critics.
With Premium Costs Already Tough For Many, Rates Are Forecast To Go Up
A New Mexico insurer is proposing a 50 percent hike, while in Ohio, premiums are likely to go up 13 percent. Meanwhile, in a new California survey, 44 percent of the state’s health exchange customers reported difficulty in paying monthly premiums.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Doctors’ Frustrations With EHRs; The Blame Game On Subsidies
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Research Roundup: RUC And Medicare Pay; Rx For Marketplace Patients; Who’s Homebound?
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
News outlets report on health issues from California, Alabama, Texas, Indiana, North Carolina, Maryland, D.C., Ohio, Kansas and Florida.
Children’s Mental Health Services Get Attention In New York, Minnesota
Also in Minnesota, the legislature has stepped up funding for a number of mental health programs.
Study Tracks Patients After Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation
The often poor outcomes raise questions about who should be a candidate for such care and what their families should be told. Meanwhile, researchers are using video games to target issues ranging from cancer to teen pregnancy and electronic health records become a prime target for hackers.
Shipments Of Live Anthrax Probed
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a team looking into how the military shipped the spores to more than a dozen labs around the country. Meanwhile, USA Today reports that many of the country’s high containment biological research labs are secretive about what they are doing.
Teva To Pay $1.2B To Settle Charges That A Subsidiary Blocked Lower-Cost Generics
The Federal Trade Commission alleged Cephalon paid four competitors to delay marketing generic versions of its money-making sleeping pill, Provigil. The settlement is a victory in the federal government’s efforts against a drug industry practice known as “pay-for-delay.”
Former Congressman Alleges Capitol Physicians Failed To Alert Him To Cancer Threat
Former Rep. Steve LaTourette, R-Ohio, who is battling pancreatic cancer, says the doctors failed to give him important information about a lesion on the pancreas and the need for follow-up appointments. Also in the news, Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., pledges renewed support for community health clinics.
Congressional Republicans Remain Split Over Plans For King V. Burwell Decision Fallout
Lawmakers differ over whether to extend the health law’s insurance tax credits on a temporary basis if the Supreme Court voids them.
