Latest KFF Health News Stories
Website Launches Today Showing Drugmakers’ Payments To Doctors
The so-called Open Payments program is intended to shine a light on potential ethical conflicts and allow patients to look up their doctors online. The first batch of data, however, will be incomplete, covering only a few months at the end of 2013. Journalism website ProPublica says it has tracked 3.4 million payments to health professionals since 2009, totaling more than $4 billion.
Senate Control Still Up In The Air As Democrats Shift Focus To Medicare, Other Popular Programs
The strategy being employed by Democrats — to nationalize the election by highlighting popular programs such as Medicare and Social Security as well as issues that resonate with younger voters — is a regular approach during midterm elections. Meanwhile, in Virginia, Senate candidate Ed Gillespie promises to disclose specifics of his plans to replace the health law.
State Highlights: Calif. Health Laws Signed; Mass. Judge Considers Partners Deal
A selection of health policy stories from California, Massachusetts, New York, the District of Columbia, Minnesota and Kansas.
More Insurers Change How They Pay Medical Providers
Commercial insurers are moving rapidly from the old system of paying health providers for every test or procedure they do toward payments based on the value rather than volume of services, according to a report by Catalyst for Payment Reform, a business coalition focused on health care costs.
Drug And Device News: Study Questions Medical Devices’ Safety Evidence
Elsewhere, The Associated Press reports on a new advertising approach for Viagra — a TV commercial that targets women.
Federal Database On Physician Quality Ratings Comes Up Short, Experts Say
The database, which was created by the health law, offers only the most basic information, according to USA Today.
Today Is The Deadline For Thousands To Provide Information To Keep Subsidies
The administration has notified more than 300,000 people that they need to provide documentation to keep their health insurance subsidies. Also in news on the health law, supporters are weighing a new focus on the individual mandate, and the administration promises changes to the ACO rules.
Viewpoints: Shop Around For Health Coverage; ‘Gaming’ Obamacare; FDA And Painkillers
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
First Edition: September 30, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including preview stories regarding the launch of the Open Payments database — a federal government website which will provide information on drug company payments to tens of thousands of physicians.
Bigger Challenges Forecast For Health Law’s Second Sign-Up Drive
Enrolling new customers will be more complicated this time around because potential enrollees may be harder to reach, reports The Wall Street Journal. Meanwhile, Fox News looks at the potential risks of automatic re-enrollment for consumers. The law’s impact on hospitals, insurance companies and uninsured people is also in the news.
Health Plan Narrow Networks To Continue In 2015
The Los Angeles Times reports that, for Californians, the state’s largest insurers are likely to stick with, or even reduce, the size of their doctor networks for the upcoming plan season. Additionally, no comprehensive directory is available to help consumers match their physicians with their health plans. Meanwhile, The Washington Post also explores how the issue is playing out in the context of a ballot initiative.
CVS To Pay $6M To Settle Medicaid Reimbursement Case
Caremark LLC, a unit of CVS, will make the payments to settle allegations that it knowingly failed to reimburse Medicaid for prescription drug costs paid on behalf of patients who were also covered by private plans it administered. The company denied wrongdoing.
Insurers, Hospitals Hunt For Leaders In Customer Service
Elsewhere, some doctors are becoming more transparent about their professional finances and payments.
Docs Express Frustration With Electronic Health Records
And some worry that a slate of new Web domain addresses could trick consumers into taking medical advice from and getting scammed by those without the proper credentials.
Drugmakers Boost Generic Drug Prices
A big increase in generic drug prices is forcing some patients to go without, reports CBS Boston. Meanwhile, U.S.News & World Report teases out some of the reasons for the slowdown in health care costs.
Majority Of Americans Find The Health Law Hard To Understand, Poll Finds
An Associated Press-GfK poll finds that nearly 75 percent of Americans find the overhaul “difficult” and nearly half say it is “very hard” to understand. However, health care remains a key issue. In California, there’s an effort, for instance, to target messages that include access to health care in outreach to the much-sought-after female voters. Meanwhile, efforts to undo the health law will remain high on the GOP to-do list if Republicans gain control of the Senate.
During First Debate, Iowa Senate Candidates Ernst And Braley Clash On The Health Law
News outlets offer updates on how the Affordable Care Act is playing in Iowa, Arkansas and Minnesota races.
A selection of health policy stories from California, Alaska, North Carolina, Texas and Massachusetts.
Viewpoints: Hospitals Helped By Medicaid Expansion; Why GOP Candidates Back OTC Contraceptives
A selection of opinions and editorials from around the country.
Report: Finding Care Is Difficult For Some New Medicaid Enrollees
State standards for access to care for Medicaid recipients vary widely and are rarely enforced, says a soon-to-be released report by the Health and Human Services Department’s inspector general. Meanwhile, Tennessee’s governor pursues Medicaid expansion talks, and confusion continues in Pennsylvania about what benefits will be available to enrollees in that state’s expansion plan.
