Latest KFF Health News Stories
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.
Indiana HIV Outbreak Forces Needle Exchange Debate
Increased intravenous drug use is spreading HIV and hepatits C, prompting officials to reconsider syringe exchanges in states like Indiana where they are illegal.
In Ariz., Hospitals See New Financial Challenges Despite Medicaid Expansion
Elsewhere, a bill in North Carolina could mean nonprofits lose much of their state tax refunds. News outlets also report on various hospital-related news developments in California.
Obama Administration Issues Plan To Fight Superbugs
President Barack Obama wants Congress to double funding to confront the challenge of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, a public health problem that sickens 2 million and kills 23,000 a year in the U.S.
Making Choices About How We Die
A movement to encourage end-of-life conversations among family and friends is gaining traction through The Conversation Project, a Boston-based nonprofit. Meanwhile, Kaiser Health News profiles two doctors who are part of a California lawsuit asking the court to protect physicians from liability if they prescribe lethal medications to patients who are terminally ill and mentally competent to decide their fate.
Insurers Lower AIDS Drug Costs After Discrimination Charges
Aetna, and its subsidiary Coventry Health Care, will lower the cost of HIV and AIDS drugs, which can cost as much as $1,500 a month now, under insurance plans sold on the exchanges. Patient advocate groups had argued the high prices violated the health law’s prohibition against insurers denying coverage to sick people or charging them more.
Breakthrough Hep C Drugs Spike Medicare Costs By $4.5 Billion
Consumers also face the high cost of prescription drugs. Many will turn to discount programs that claim big savings, but some pharmacists tell buyers to beware.
A Push To Demystify Health Care Pricing
Marketplace details efforts to bring more pricing transparency to the health care industry. In addition, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports on a new website in Wisconsin that rates clinics on both cost and quality, while The New York Times reports on a New York pay-for-performance initiative.
Under Expansion Plan, Mich. Enrollment Soared, But Will The Program Continue?
Under Michigan law, the state must obtain a second waiver from the Obama administration by the end of the year or its Medicaid expansion will end next April. In other Medicaid news, the Montana Senate advances a bill that would expand the program and New Mexico lawmakers approved a bill that would help thousands of inmates enroll before they are released.
Maryland Misallocated $28M In Health Exchange Funds, Audit Says
An audit from the Department of Health and Human Services inspector general recommends that the state repay the money, which was miscalculated due to troubled enrollment projections.
Feds Step Up Efforts To Raise Awareness About Health Law Tax Breaks
The Treasury Department on Friday released fact sheets about the most common exemptions to the health law’s tax penalty. Meanwhile, the Associated Press reports on how the Affordable Care Act is leading some colleges to get out of the health insurance business.
The Doc-Fix Back Story: How Boehner And Pelosi Made A Deal
The Medicare physician payment formula has long been a difficult issue on Capitol Hill. Action last week moved it close to resolution, but the Senate still has to act.
