Latest KFF Health News Stories
First Edition: December 11, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Gruber In The Hot Seat; Obama’s Reflux; Transplant Rule Changes
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
State News: N.Y. Single-Payer Hearing; Texas Bill On ‘Compassionate-Use’ Policies
Also, a selection of health policy stories from North Carolina, Georgia, Kansas, Connecticut, Oklahoma and Maryland.
FDA Meeting Likely To Highlight Clash Between Brand-Name, Generic Drug Makers
CQ HealthBeat sets the scene for next month’s Food and Drug Administration meeting. Also in the news, Bloomberg reports that drug makers are increasingly using pharmacy records to target patients with web ads.
Minn. Nursing Home Handles Residents’ Agitation Without Risky Drugs
The efforts buck a national trend toward using antipsychotic drugs to treat the elderly, NPR reports. In other news about quality of care issues, The Philadelphia Inquirer examines the debate on end-of-life treatments and HHS awards grants to some health centers.
Study: Workers’ Share Of Health Costs Nearly Doubles In A Decade
The amount that workers contribute toward premiums for their job-sponsored insurance climbed from $606 in 2003 to $1,170 in 2013, according to the Commonwealth Fund report. Meanwhile, the wellness programs that many employers have instituted to curb rising health costs are still unproven.
Colorado Legislative Panel Seeks Greater Oversight Of Exchange
After a partial audit found possible illegal payments by Colorado’s health exchange, a legislative committee voted unanimously for a comprehensive audit next year. Meanwhile, a Montana economist testifies that Medicaid expansion is a good deal for that state but many lawmakers remain reluctant to move forward.
Gruber, In Hill Testimony, Apologizes And Plays Down His Role In Crafting Health Law
The former administration adviser is blasted by both Democrats and Republicans for his comments suggesting that officials got the law passed through a lack of transparency and “the stupidity” of American voters.
Some Health Law Provisions Become Capitol Hill Targets
As some Republican lawmakers step up their opposition to the health law’s Independent Payment Advisory Board and consider turning to the Supreme Court for an assist, medical device makers are pushing for repeal of an Affordable Care Act tax on their products.
Spending Deal Pushes Some Health Issues Into Next Year
The $1.1 trillion spending bill released Tuesday evening expands funding for international health efforts on AIDS and for fighting Ebola both at home and abroad. But it would bring little change to other domestic health care concerns. In addition, the Medicare “doc fix” got rolled into next year.
First Edition: December 10, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: The Health Law’s Impact On CBO’s Future And On Democratic Senators
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
A selection of health policy news stories from California, Iowa, Virginia, New York and New Jersey.
Health Law Consultant Will Be ‘Under Assault’ During Today’s House Hearing
Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee and strident opponent of the overhaul, will be among those questioning MIT professor Jonathan Gruber about possible deceptions and a lack of transparency in the 2010 Affordable Care Act.
Senate Dems Seek Vote On Surgeon General Nominee Before Year’s End
Efforts to hold a vote on nominee Vivek Murthy appear to be gaining momentum although it’s unclear he can win confirmation.
GOP Leaders Contemplate The Best Way To Take A Shot At The Health Law
Incoming Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., is holding high-level meetings to consider such strategies. He also listed for the Wall Street Journal the votes he plans to hold to attempt to repeal specific provisions of the law. Meanwhile, USA Today details the relationship between health law votes and Senate Democratic losses.
Half Of Doctors Listed As Treating Medicaid Patients Are Unavailable, HHS Finds
The report by the HHS inspector general’s office concludes that large numbers of doctors on Medicaid provider lists were not offering appointments to enrollees. Also, Modern Healthcare examines whether the health law’s Medicaid expansion may be tied to a drop in disability claims.
Religious Groups, Including Denver Nuns, Challenge Health Law’s Birth Control Rules
Lawyers for the Little Sisters of the Poor, as well as other faith-based nonprofit organizations, argued in a federal appeals court that the federal government hasn’t done enough to ensure they don’t have to violate their beliefs.
Audit Challenges $32M Spent By Colorado Insurance Exchange
A highly critical audit of Colorado’s health insurance exchange finds almost $489,000 in “unallowable or unreasonable” payments to vendors and service providers and more than $32 million in problematic spending. Meanwhile, Oregon decides to use an online Medicaid enrollment system from Kentucky, and Illinois’ efforts to set up a state exchange fall short.
Officials Push ‘Hard-To-Reach’ Consumers To Sign Up For Obamacare
Elsewhere, USA Today looks at HHS’s release of incorrect numbers on how many enrolled in marketplace plans.
