Latest KFF Health News Stories
Calif.’s Medicaid Expansion Renews Concerns About Doc Pay
Some advocates fear that state efforts to cut payments to doctors and other providers will make it hard for new enrollees to get care. Also, committees in Texas and Idaho look at ways to expand care for low-income residents.
VA Begins Discipline Process For Workers Involved In Health System Waiting Scandal
The Department of Veterans Affairs plans to recommend action against six employees at veterans’ medical facilities in Colorado and Wyoming. Meanwhile, news outlets report on questions about whether offering veterans the option of private care will address some of the VA health system’s problems.
Cops, Computer Analysts Hunt For Medicare Fraud
The Wall Street Journal looks closely at the work of the Medicare Strike Force, which includes FBI agents and CMS workers. Meanwhile, the Government Accountability Office finds Medicare audit contractors may hammer hospitals with multiple reviews of the same payment claims.
Fox News Poll Finds Slim Majority Continues To Oppose The Health Law
According to Fox News, opposition among voters has been above 50 percent for more than a year. Meanwhile, Politico Pro takes a look at the congressional district of the new House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., where constituents who appear to be benefiting from new health law coverage are still supporting politicians like McCarthy, who want to repeal it. Also in the news, the overhaul and abortion issues come to light during a Colorado congressional campaign debate.
Walmart plans to open a dozen clinics by the end of this fiscal year that will provide a broad range of primary care services.
Physician Disclosure Website Back On Track
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announces it has fixed the glitch that took down the website where doctors and hospitals can review information about payments from drug and device makers. Meanwhile, The New York Times looks at how costly compounded medicines are drawing the ire of health insurers, and a U.K. agency recommends the government pay for a costly new hepatitis treatment.
State Highlights: TB Outbreak In Alabama Prisons
A selection of health policy stories from Alabama, California, Washington, Texas, Georgia and Minnesota.
Research Roundup: Benefits Of Smaller Practices; Rx Price Growth
This week’s studies come from the GAO, Altarum Institute, Health Affairs, the Rand Corp., the Employee Benefit Research Institute and the Kaiser Family Foundation.
First Edition: August 15, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including a variety of updates regarding health policy and the health care marketplace.
Small Nonprofit Hospitals At Tipping Point, Says Rating Service
Small and stand-alone nonprofit hospitals are facing mounting pressure from weak operating margins and lower patient volumes, according to a report from Standard & Poor’s Rating Services. Meanwhile, hospitals cope with the changing health care landscape by exploring ways to help low-income consumers pay their Obamacare premiums and offering no-interest payment plans for those with high-deductible insurance policies.
Texas Lawmakers Explore Market-Based Alternatives To Medicaid
Meanwhile, the success of California’s enrollment drive has created a new set of challenges — how to provide high-quality health care to 11 million Medi-Cal beneficiaries while keeping costs down.
Sunshine Act Website Marked By Technical Problems
Modern Healthcare reports that this website, which is designed to report industry payments to physicians and teaching hospitals, was temporarily suspended last week but is scheduled to be publicly accessible Sept. 30. Meanwhile, the Des Moines Register explores issues related to the National Practitioner Data Bank.
Survey: Companies Continue Shift Of Health Costs To Workers
The main way companies are seeking to curb health care costs is by moving workers into high-deductible health plans, according to the survey by the National Business Group on Health. Nearly a third are offering such plans as the only option to their workers in 2015, the survey found.
VA Secretary: Number Of Vets Being Referred To Private Doctors Is Rising
Robert McDonald tells American Veterans national convention that his department is quickly moving to significantly increase the number of veterans referred to doctors outside the system. Also, the department announces that veterans with Lou Gehrig’s Disease will be eligible for a government housing program.
The Rush Is On: Process Immigrant Paperwork To Keep Them Insured
The Wall Street Journal reports on reaction to the Obama administration’s announcement that coverage would be cut off for as many as 310,000 people if they don’t prove they are citizens or legal residents by Sept. 5. Other news outlets offer local takes on the issue.
Medical Advisory Panel Recommends New Pneumonia Vaccine For Seniors
The experts expressed concern, however, that Medicare rules may hamper some people from getting the new vaccine if they have already had an older version. Also in drug issues, some patient advocates report that insurers are balking at paying for a costly drug to treat hepatitis C if the patients are in drug treatment programs.
Closing Arguments Made In Texas Trial Over Abortion Restrictions
U.S. District Judge Lee Yeakel promised to rule in the case as quickly as possible. Whichever side loses is likely to appeal.
Viewpoints: Enrollment ‘Plummeting’?; Arkansas’ ‘Boondoggle’; Move Medicare To Obamacare Exchanges
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Colorado Market Called ‘Very Competitive’; California Loses Some Plans
While some state marketplaces are adding insurance carriers — and The Urban Institute calls Colorado’s marketplace “very competitive” — several plans will not be returning to Covered California.
State Highlights: Mass. Hospitals See 70% Jump In Mistakes
A selection of health policy stories from Massachusetts, Maryland, Texas, California, Wisconsin and Illinois.
