Latest KFF Health News Stories
FDA Strengthens Warnings On Uterine Surgical Tool
The device, called a morcellator, should no longer be used in the “vast majority” of women, the FDA says, because it can spread cancerous tissue.
VA Fires Director Of Troubled Phoenix Medical Center
Sharon Helman had been on administrative leave after reports that records were falsified to hide long wait lists for treatment.
Wall Street Criticizes Calif. Insurers For Overstating Doctor Networks
The two companies provided consumers misleading information about the number of doctors with whom they had contracts. News outlets also look at marketplace issues in Massachusetts, Colorado and Minnesota.
What’s That Meal Going To Mean For Your Waistline? Calorie Counts Coming
The federal government will soon mandate that restaurants and a host of other food-service establishments with at least 20 locations display the calorie counts for food they serve. The rules take effect a year from now.
Health Chief Calls For ‘Culture Of Increased Transparency’
Meanwhile, advocates praise new rules that will make it easier for consumers to figure out which drugs are covered in exchange plans while others parse rules about abortion coverages.
Treating Rural Vets’ PTSD From Afar
In other news, the number of prison inmates with severe mental health problems is overwhelming governments’ ability to treat them.
First Edition: November 25, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Dismantling Health Law ‘Piece By Piece’; Democrats Are ‘Own Worst Enemy’
A selection of opinions on health care from around the United States.
A selection of health policy stories from Maryland, Iowa, California, Massachusetts, Illinois, Montana, Florida, Oregon, Minnesota and Wyoming.
Lawsuits: Medicare Advantage Plans Boost Payments By Claiming Sicker Patients
Also, retirees of big companies are being moved off of health plans, and advocates help African Americans understand their elevated risk of Alzheimer’s.
Scrutiny Of Morcellator Tool Halts Its Use
The Wall Street Journal looks at the history of the tool used during hysterectomies and reports that some doctors continued it even after the risks of it spreading cancer were known.
Reports Depict Failed Mental Health System
Tens of thousands of people with severe mental health problems go without care and many end up on the street, as well as in jails and shelters, reports The Denver Post. Meanwhile, a report on Newtown Elementary School shooter Adam Lanza cites his parents’ denial about the extent of his problems and missed opportunities to intervene by educators, mental health professionals and doctors.
Patients’ Costs Mount When Oncologists Work For Hospitals
Many oncologists are selling their practices to hospitals, and consumers are finding that treatments suddenly cost more, with higher co-payments for patients and higher bills for insurers. Meanwhile, some experts are challenging the notion that the U.S. faces a growing doctor shortage.
House Oversight Panel Calls On Gruber, Tavenner To Testify On Health Law Claims
The MIT economist and the CMS administrator have been called by Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., to testify about “repeated transparency failures” on the health law.
TennCare Director Speaks About Political Difficulties Of Expanding Medicaid
Darin Gordon, in remarks to medical students, points to the state’s experience 20 years ago when it tried on its own to expand TennCare. The state found that it could not support the program and scaled it back. Also, Medicaid expansion news from Virginia, New York and Kansas.
Health Law In Jeopardy At Supreme Court Because Of Gridlock In Washington
Congress will not fix technical issues in the law, forcing the Supreme Court to rule on the legality of a part of the law that many say is merely a typo.
State Marketplaces Must Soon Prove That They Can Succeed Financially
The federal funding to get the marketplaces up and running will end soon, The Associated Press reports. Other outlets examine enrollment and outreach efforts in California, Connecticut, New York, North Carolina and Florida.
House GOP Sues Obama On Health Law
The suit says the administration acted unlawfully when it postponed penalties in the law for larger employers who don’t offer health insurance, among other things.
HHS Eyes Auto Renewal Into Cheaper Plans
The proposed rules would also set up a permanent enrollment window that would run from Oct. 1 through Dec. 15 every year. Meanwhile, the administration is tightening rules about how insurers go about charging women for abortion coverage to ensure that federal money isn’t used to cover the procedure.
