Latest KFF Health News Stories
NIH Expands Effort To Diagnose Misunderstood Disorders
The agency announces $43 million for its Undiagnosed Disease Network, which by the summer of 2017 is expected to enroll at least 300 new patients with mysterious and intractable conditions per year. Meanwhile, online ER booking in California is the latest example of how hospitals are attempting to compete with one another.
Health Law Still Looms As Issue In Midterms
Nearly seven in 10 adults say their view of the health law will factor in their congressional voting decisions this fall, a new Bankrate.com survey finds. Other stories look at positions staked out by candidates in Tennessee, Kansas and Oregon.
Longer Looks: Rethinking Involuntary Commitment; Awaiting A Transplant
This week’s articles come from The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, The Cincinnati Enquirer, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and WBUR.
Viewpoints: Expanding Hobby Lobby Decision; The Faux War On Women; Dispute Over Pelvic Exams
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Administration Cites Hobby Lobby Ruling To Religious Nonprofits
The Obama administration uses the Supreme Court’s opinion Wednesday to buttress its claim it has offered religious nonprofits an acceptable compromise to the health law’s contraceptive coverage mandate. Meanwhile, House Democrats craft legislation that would bar for-profit companies from denying coverage.
Research Roundup: 20M Gain Insurance, Coverage’s Effect On Surgery Choices; Opioid Use
This week’s studies come from The New England Journal of Medicine, JAMA Surgery, JAMA Internal Medicine, the Pew Charitable Trusts, The Urban Institute, The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Ford Foundation.
VA’s Medical Inspector Steps Down
Dr. John Pierce, the director of the VA’s medical inspector office, had served in that role since 2004 and is the fifth senior official at the VA to step down during the past six weeks. Also, stories look at how lawmakers are trying to reform the VA and just why the VA was developed 100 years ago.
Mass. To Weigh Options On Abortion Safeguards; Mo. Gov. Vetoes Bill
Mass. Gov. Deval Patrick says he wants new legislation by the end of the month to strengthen security around clinics. Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon vetoes a bill that would require women to wait 72 hours for the procedure.
Medicare Proposes To Slightly Raise Kidney Care Payments
Federal officials released plans for the raise in a proposed rule Wednesday.
Government Has Yet To Resolve Subsidy Inconsistencies
The inspector general report details that the government isn’t quite sure how to fix the problem. In the meantime, a new health startup looks to cash in on helping companies enroll low-wage earners in Medicaid instead of company plans.
N.Y., Colo. Insurers Seek Large 2015 Premium Increases; Ga. Sees Drop In Rates
In New York, insurer requests for rate increases on the health law’s exchange averaged 13 percent, while Denver Health is asking state regulators for a 17.5 percent hike next year. Georgia has a different story: Two companies are planning to enter the exchange next year and Blue Cross, the only statewide plan on the exchange this year, says it will drop rates by 7 percent.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including more analysis of the Supreme Court’s Hobby Lobby decision and concerns in New York about significant insurance rate increases for 2015.
Democrats Campaign Against High Court After Hobby Lobby Ruling
Borrowing a tactic from the GOP, Democrats use the Supreme Court ruling to energize their voters and raise money, The Los Angeles Times reports.
State Highlights: Ore. Mediation For Medical Errors; Mich. Home-Help Aides
A selection of health policy stories from Oregon, Michigan, Oklahoma, Texas, Massachusetts, Georgia, Kansas and Iowa.
Viewpoints: Court And Women’s Health Care; Decouple Work And Coverage
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Hobby Lobby Ruling Creates Uncertainty About Contraceptive Mandate
The options the Supreme Court floated to extend coverage to women who work for closely held companies that object to covering contraception are opposed by some religious groups and women’s rights groups. The compromise involves passing responsibility to an insurer.
Despite Management Background, VA Nominee Faces Even Bigger Challenge
Robert McDonald, the VA secretary nominee, is facing a huge bureaucracy with more than 300,000 employees. Elsewhere, a new poll finds most veterans say getting care at VA hospitals is “very” or “somewhat” difficult.
Indiana Seeks OK For Medicaid Expansion Alternative; Calif. Wrestles With Medi-Cal Backlog
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence on Tuesday requested a waiver from the federal government to expand Medicaid coverage using a state plan that he says would promote personal responsibility. Developments in California, Oregon, Georgia and Washington state are also tracked.
Hacking Of Health Records Is ‘Matter Of Time,’ Say Experts
Specialists in cybersecurity say the health industry “is flirting with disaster” as so much patient data goes digital, Politico reports. Also, speakers at a health care conference explore the difficulties of cutting waste and medical errors.
Medicare Proposes Home Health Payment Reductions, Savings
Officials say the moves would save the agency $58 million next year by changing how much it pays for some services and requiring agencies to prove their effectiveness.
