Latest KFF Health News Stories
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Confronting A New Epidemic; Abortion Arguments; AMA’s Stand On Billing
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Views On Health Law: Concerns Awaiting A Court Decision; ‘Sticker Shock’ Myths
A variety of opinions about the effects and future of the health law.
News outlets report on health care developments in Florida, California, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Wyoming, Massachusetts, Colorado, Maryland, New Hampshire, Illinois and North Carolina.
Activists Walk To Washington To Focus Attention On Rate Of Rural Hospitals’ Closures
News outlets from California, Maryland, Wyoming and New Jersey report on other hospital industry news.
Atlanta Faces Growing HIV Crisis; Fla. Insurance Regulator Limits Patients’ HIV Drug Costs
In other HIV/AIDS news, two North Carolina teens are asking the Food and Drug Administration to lift the ban that prevents gay men from donating blood.
Researchers Look For Key To Cures In ‘Exceptional Responders’
Some people respond incredibly well to certain cancer drugs, and the mystery of why has scientists looking at how they can replicate the response in others. ProPublica, in the meantime, examines “toxic residue” from MRI screenings.
New Cures, Big Prices Mean Some Go Without Best Treatments
In other health care marketplace news, a lab prepares to settle over expensive Medicare drug tests, and The New York Times looks more closely at the “female Viagra.” Additionally, biotech jobs are up, but pharma jobs lag, and The Wall Street Journal examines why many don’t buy long-term care insurance.
Hillary Clinton Attacks GOP For Wanting To Repeal Health Law
In a wide-ranging speech, the Democratic presidential-hopeful also hit Republicans on abortion rights. Elsewhere, GOP likely contender Jeb Bush is criticized by a free-market group for increasing spending to lure a biomedical group to Florida.
Sen. Murray Proposes Requiring Insurers Cover Over-The-Counter Birth Control
In other news, President Obama’s loss on a trade bill after Democrats balked at Medicare cuts included in the bill is examined.
Final Bill For Troubled Massachusetts Exchange Site Could Hit $300M
The cost of setting up the Massachusetts health insurance website rose another $47.2 million, bringing the total spent to $281 million with more expenses still expected. Meanwhile, Colorado will post on its insurance site Monday the 2016 rates proposed by providers. And a judge tossed a lawsuit filed by Oracle against five former Oregon governor staffers in a case involving Cover Oregon technology problems.
Florida House Approves Six Bills Targeting High Health Care Costs
Legislators in that state also decided how to divvy up $2 billion among 134 hospitals to pay for care of patients without insurance. Federal funds for Florida’s low-income pool, or LIP, fund were cut back by the Obama administration.
Whose Insurance Is In Jeopardy?
News outlets in states that could be impacted if the high court strikes down the health law’s insurance subsidies attempt to quantify how many people might lose their Obamacare coverage.
King V. Burwell: Searching For Signs Of What The Justices Are Thinking
News outlets analyze the words and records of different Supreme Court justices in search of some indication of how they might rule in the pending challenge to the use of health law subsidies in states that did not set up their own online insurance marketplaces. Meanwhile, a number of decisions — including King v. Burwell — are still pending even as the Court’s term is nearing its close. And on Capitol Hill, Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, makes a strong statement in opposition to a “one-sentence” Obamacare fix.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Health Law’s Worth; States Lack Plans On Subsidies; Spending Again Rising
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Research Roundup: Health Pay Differentials; Lowering Risk Of Falls; The Effect Of CPR
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
State Highlights: Calif. Settlement On Farmworkers’ Deaths; Training Doctors In Transgender Health
News outlets report on health care developments in California, Kansas, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas and Washington.
Nev. Governor Signs Bill Allowing Private Companies To Manage Medicaid Services
Also in state Medicaid news, North Carolina may owe health care providers up to $10 million because of a flawed computer billing system, and Minnesota will pay the federal government $3.1 million after accounting errors are discovered.
VA Develops ‘Game Changer’ For Helping Doctors Predict Veteran Suicide Risks
Using a range of factors, including age, gender, medical conditions and homelessness, the Department of Veterans Affairs came up with a computer formula for identifying groups of vets likely to be the most suicidal. The goal is to target those at risk with aggressive treatment and aid. Meanwhile, the family of an Iraq war veteran who killed himself after seeking help from a VA hospital is calling a government report on the incident a “whitewash.”
