Latest KFF Health News Stories
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Why ‘Doc Fix’ Deal Was Done; Health Care Leaders Must Lead Change
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Research Roundup: Effects Of Ending CHIP; Measuring Churn; Kids And Antipsychotic Drugs
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
State Highlights: Md., Va. State Budgets Advance; Wis. SeniorCare Proposal Stalls
A selection of health policy stories from Maryland, Virginia, Wisconsin, California, Indiana, Missouri, Texas, Arizona and Georgia.
Indiana HIV Outbreak Declared A Health Emergency
With 71 cases identified, an HIV outbreak in southeastern Indiana prompted Gov. Mike Pence to announce a public health emergency and allow a temporary needle exchange program in one county.
Narcotics Overprescriptions To Veterans Targeted By VA
Solutions are needed for lapses or practices at VA facilities that have resulted in opiate overprescribing, Veterans Affairs officials testified at a Senate hearing.
FDA Considers Regulating Homeopathic Remedies
Officials will review data on the safety and evidence behind the alternative therapies in a meeting next month. In the meantime, the Obama administration readies a plan to fight antibiotic-resistant bacteria and the Health and Human Services’ inspector general advises labs that waive patient fees because of agreements with doctors that they could be violating anti-kickback statutes.
Report: Health Insurance Industry Doing Well Under ACA
The report from the Commonwealth Fund shows that industry profits remain nearly identical to before implementation of the Affordable Care Act. Meanwhile, experts predict the health care sector, like many others, will face pressure to raise wages as a result of tightening labor markets.
Audit: Maryland Owes Feds $28M For State Exchange
Meanwhile, three Democratic governors took steps this month that could lead to the federal government assuming control of their state exchanges, and Tennessee’s Republican governor continues to push for Medicaid expansion in his state.
House Speaker Boehner Quiets Critics With Budget, Medicare Victories
His Democratic counterpart, Rep. Nancy Pelosi, annoyed some in her party by her deal-making with Republicans, but could yield political benefits for her party over the next two years. Also, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich says the GOP doesn’t actually want to repeal Obamacare.
Senate Passes Budget, Obamacare Repeal In All-Night Session
The budget is not binding, and House and Senate leaders will now meet to reconcile their versions of the spending blueprint, which is used to set funding levels for spending bills considered in the session. In the meantime, senators voted to reject an amendment to stop more than $1.2 trillion in Medicaid cuts.
Medicare Pay Fix Bill Includes Higher Costs For Some Seniors
The measure includes a number of other provisions beyond its two big ticket items — the repeal of Medicare’s sustainable growth rate formula to pay doctors and the extension of the Children’s Health Insurance Program.
The Hill reports on the 37 lawmakers who voted against the House “doc fix” legislation. Also, The Fiscal Times details why some people are not happy with the agreement and the Connecticut Mirror notes that its two senators also have some questions.
House OKs Bipartisan Deal On ‘Doc Fix’
The measure, which is being billed as the most significant bipartisan policy legislation to gain House passage since the GOP gained control of the chamber, would establish a new formula in the Medicare program for paying physicians. The Senate will take up the measure when it returns to work after its two-week recess. Without congressional intervention, doctors face a 21 percent pay cut.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: The Cost Of Fixing Medicare’s Doctor Pay; Insuring Candidate Cruz
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
A selection of health policy stories from California, Indiana, Florida, New York, Iowa, Maryland and Kansas.
Ariz. Lawmakers OK Abortion Restrictions
The measure approved by the Arizona legislature would block women from buying insurance that includes abortion coverage through the federal exchange. It also would require abortion providers to inform women they can reverse the effects of drug-induced abortions. In other state news, New York lawmakers are set to approve a bill to codify abortion rights set by the Supreme Court, and Kansas legislators approved a ban on a common second-trimester abortion procedure.
Employers Offer Record $693 Annually In Wellness Incentives Per Worker
That figure is up from $430 per employee five years ago, according to a new report. Elsewhere, high-deductible plans are examined, and Cigna forms an alliance with SCAN Health Plan to provide Medicare Advantage benefits.
Report: Most Doctors Not Flooded With New, Sicker Patients Under ACA
The notion that expanded coverage under the Affordable Care Act would overwhelm physicians has not been borne out, according to a report by athenahealth, the Watertown, Mass.-based electronic record provider.
