Latest KFF Health News Stories
Longer Looks: Limits On Doctor Training; A Woman’s Campaign For End-Of-Life Choices
Each week, KHN finds interesting reads from around the Web.
First Edition: October 9, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about the Obama administration preview of how healthcare.gov will function in the upcoming open enrollment period.
30,000 Walmart Part-Time Workers To Lose Health Benefits
The world’s largest retailer and largest private employer announced Tuesday that it would terminate health insurance coverage for employees who work fewer than an average of 30 hours a week. This action follows similar steps by Target and Home Depot, among others.
Administration Delays Home-Care Worker Minimum-Wage, Overtime Protections
In a Tuesday announcement, the administration said it won’t enforce this rule, which involves an estimated 2 million home-care workers, for the first six months after its Jan. 1, 2015, effective date.
As U.S. Bolsters Defenses Against Ebola, Price Tag Grows
President Barack Obama vows national defense against the disease but reminds Americans that the human toll in Africa is also worthy of their support. The administration also weighs tighter screening for international travelers.
Teaching Hospitals Make Residency Funding Pitch On Capitol Hill
Congress has capped federal funding for the training of new doctors, and hospital officials are hoping to get that limit lifted.
State Highlights: Mass. First To Require Health Care Price Tags; Health Disparities In Wis.
A selection of health policy stories from Massachusetts, Wisconsin, Illinois, Connecticut, California, Texas, South Dakota and Pennsylvania.
Examining Georgia’s 2015 Insurance Enrollment Map
Georgia Health News analyzes how the state’s enrollment played out in 2014 and asks how variables might change in the year ahead.
Stiff Rise In Generic Drug Prices Prompts Probe By Members Of Congress
The prices have increased by more than 1,000 percent for some of the drugs. In other news about treatments, a study finds robotic surgery may not improve care for ovarian problems, and the National Cancer Institute laments that insurers’ concerns about cost are keeping some patients from proton therapy trials.
In Mississippi, Medicaid Expansion Advocates Continue To Press Their Cause
Supporters of expanding the low-income health insurance program say elected officials are turning their backs on hundreds of thousands of poor Mississippi residents by refusing the federal funds that come with the expansion. Meanwhile, in Pennsylvania, insurers appear to be adding a wrinkle to Gov. Corbett’s expansion plan. Also, election outcomes will play a big role in where such plans proceed.
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
CMS Directs Insurers To Start Testing Healthcare.gov; Confidentiality Required
Testers are required to “acknowledge the confidentiality of the process” in order to gain access to the testing environment, according to The Wall Street Journal. Meanwhile, The New York Times reports on two studies that examine the health law’s drug plans as a means to answer questions about how the overhaul is working.
First Edition: October 8, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including a story about how healthcare.gov will face “confidential” check-ups by insurers and news that Walmart will trim health benefits for some part-time workers.
States Still Wrestle With Exchange Issues From Last Year
In Washington state, officials are still trying to resolve billing and computer issues related to 1,300 accounts. In Massachusetts, Gov. Deval Patrick says the problem-plagued website is now fixed and ready to go when enrollment opens Nov. 15, but at an additional cost of $26 million. And in Minnesota, a new plan enters the MNSure marketplace.
Conn. Foundations Helping To Finance Health Enrollment Push
This initiative will supplement the state health insurance marketplace’s official sign-up effort. In Illinois, officials gear up for the second year of enrollment but expect work will be harder this time.
FDA Probes Malfunctions Of Medical Devices Made By Man Who Has Championed Patient Safety
A Food and Drug Administration investigation last year found that Masimo Corp. did not adequately look into reports of problems with its devices, ProPublica reports, even though the company owner, Joe Kiani, has created a foundation dedicated to eliminating medical mistakes. In addition, the Boston Globe examines how medical technology companies are looking for new strategies to boost sales.
Another Shortfall In The Doctor Payment Database Revealed
Federal officials report that the Open Payments database, which seeks to make drug and medical device company payments to doctors and hospitals available to consumers, is missing $1.1 billion in payments made between August and December 2013.
Wis. Gubernatorial Candidates Spar Over Abortion
Elsewhere, races in Maryland, Maine, Massachusetts and Oregon highlight health care issues — like Medicaid, prescription drugs and attracting health care technology firms.
State Highlights: States And Drug Prices; Ariz. Limiting Sovaldi For Patients
A selection of health policy stories from Oregon, Arizona, California, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, New York, New Mexico and Minnesota.
Obama Administration Announces Plans To Step Up Airport Screening For Ebola
Though President Barack Obama did not say exactly how screening procedures would change, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said officials would consider a variety of options.
