Latest KFF Health News Stories
Few California Inmates With Hepatitis C Get Costly Sovaldi
The drug is being given to fewer than 1 percent of the 17,000 inmates with the virus in California prisons, reports the San Francisco Chronicle. Meanwhile, a Senate Democrat plans a hearing on how VA hospitals are coping with its high cost.
Just In Time For Open Enrollment, A New Physician Rating Site
USA Today reports that the website uses about 500 million federal and private claims and patient reviews to rank doctors. Meanwhile, the failure of the $30 billion federal program to create interoperable electronic health record systems is examined by Politico.
Medicare, Health Care Getting Attention In Senate, Congressional Races
In Louisiana’s Senate race, Medicare is grabbing the spotlight. The powerful issue is also popping up in North Carolina and Iowa. Meanwhile, Michigan’s Senate race references to Medicare and the health law are checked for accuracy. And Obamacare is the subject of ads in an increasingly high-profile California House contest.
Medicaid Expansion, Health Exchanges Dominate Gubernatorial Debates
In Georgia, where a runoff is considered likely, Gov. Nathan Deal went on the offensive and criticized a third-party candidate’s support for expanding Medicaid. In Maryland, Republican candidate Larry Hogan slammed Democratic Lt. Governor Anthony Brown for his role in the state’s troubled health exchange launch.
State Highlights: Calif. Ballot Measure Updates; Va. Prison Health Care Budget Shortfall
A selection of health policy stories from California, Arizona, Maine, South Dakota, Virginia, Maryland, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Texas, Washington state and Missouri.
Viewpoints: Health Care Opponent’s Legal Strategy; The Challenge For This Open Enrollment
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Views On Ebola: America Needs To ‘Calm Down’; Political Criticism Is Off Base
News outlets offer a variety of perspectives on the response to Ebola.
Hill Republicans Refine Their Strategy On Foreign Travelers As CDC Tightens Ebola Guidelines
The GOP is now pressing to suspend visas for some travelers since the administration has so far rejected calls for a flight ban. Also Monday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention beefed-up its guidelines to protect health care workers.
First Edition: October 21, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about health law positions taken by Republican governors — including Ohio Gov. John Kasich.
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Pentagon Plans 30-Person Team To Tackle Ebola In U.S.
The Department of Defense announced Sunday that it would create a medical team to assist U.S. doctors responding to new Ebola cases, while the government issued more stringent guidelines for protective garb for health care workers treating Ebola patients. In addition, The Wall Street Journal profiles a biologist who has been working since 1997 on an Ebola vaccine that has been proven to block the disease in monkeys.
Obama’s ‘Ebola Czar’ Pick Has Washington Know-How, Knows Less About Medicine
The White House announced Friday that Ron Klain, a veteran Washington adviser and Democratic strategist, will coordinate multi-agency strategy.
State Highlights: Mental Health Issues Put 34K On N.Y. No-Guns List
A selection of health policy stories from New York, Ohio, California, Tennessee, Kansas, Kentucky, North Carolina and Maryland.
Ebola Worries Renew Push For Surgeon General Pick
More than two dozen House Democrats have called on the Senate to confirm Dr. Vivek Murthy, the Obama administration’s pick for U.S. Surgeon General, so he could help lead the nation’s Ebola response. But Senate support remains shaky because of Murthy’s outspoken views on gun violence, which have drawn the wrath of the National Rifle Association.
Administration’s Handling Of Ebola Casts Shadow On Dems’ Election Hopes
A Politico poll underscores that Ebola is causing real political danger for some Democrats. It’s playing big, for instance, in North Carolina’s Senate race.
Lilly CEO Explains Drug Maker’s ‘Toughest Year’
In other drug industry news, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services makes improvements in the new doctor payment website.
Long-Term Care Costs Weigh Heavily On Middle-Class Families
CBS News reports that for many seniors and their families, home care needs create a serious financial bind.
How The Health Law’s Second Enrollment Season Could Impact Key Senate Races
Politico reports that two closely watched Senate contests — those of Georgia and Louisiana — could be decided by runoff elections that would take place in December. Healthcare.gov glitches could color voters’ choices. News outlets also report on how Obamacare could play a role in election outcomes in states such as Colorado and Minnesota.
Utah Supporters Of Medicaid Expansion Hold Rally
About 100 people rallied in Salt Lake City to urge state lawmakers to pass Gov. Gary Herbert’s Medicaid expansion plan. Meanwhile, health insurance rates in Wisconsin keep pace or decline, Maryland delays efforts to recover the cost of its failed exchange, and a co-op pulls out of Iowa’s Medicaid marketplace.
Renewal Wrinkles, High Deductibles And Decisions For Employers: Implementation Issues Grab Headlines
News outlets report on a range of health law implementation issues that are causing challenges for consumers, employers and Obamacare advocates.
