Latest KFF Health News Stories
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including a report that the cost of health law subsidies may push the measure’s overall price tag beyond projections.
Oregon Moves Closer To Suit Against Oracle Over Health Exchange ‘Fiasco’
Meanwhile, news outlets report on how nearby Washington state, which had a much less troubled launch and operation of its online insurance marketplace, still faces challenges.
Frontrunner For No. 2 GOP House Post Seen As Health Policy ‘Blank Slate’
A CQ Healthbeat look at Rep. Kevin McCarthy of California finds a light footprint when it comes to health care matters. Meanwhile, physician and health care groups seek an extension of a health law provision that boosts Medicaid payments to primary care doctors.
Kansas Medicaid-CHIP Enrollment Rises Despite Tight Eligibility Standards
In Illinois, Medicaid coverage of adult dental and podiatry care is restored following a two-year cut.
Abortion Becomes Issue In Maine Governor Race
Elsewhere, Planned Parenthood fights to keep an Iowa law allowing telemedicine abortion in rural areas on the books.
VA Scandal Prompts Closer Look At VA Health Care Around Nation
News outlets examine wait times and poor service at clinics in North Carolina, Colorado and Minnesota.
State Highlights: State Retiree Benefit Shortfalls; Health Data Claims And Cost
A selection of health policy stories from California, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, Virginia, Iowa, Florida, Missouri, Washington state, Connecticut, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina and Tennessee.
Doctors Weigh How To Use New Heart-Valve Procedure
The procedure is less invasive than surgery but is still unproven for many patients, The Wall Street Journal reports. Meanwhile, the Journal also looks at how some doctors are using Google Glass to have more time with their patients.
Viewpoints: U.S. Health Care: Expensive And Deficient; GOP Threat To Gun Violence Research
A selections of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
High Court Allows Anti-Abortion Groups To Challenge Ohio Law Banning False Speech
The Ohio campaign law makes it illegal to lie about political candidates. The case originated after the Susan B. Anthony List accused Democratic Rep. Steve Driehaus of voting for “taxpayer-funded abortion” because he supported the Affordable Care Act. But he said the claims were false because both the health law and a related presidential order prohibit federal abortion funding.
Report: Subsidies Motivate People To Sign Up For Coverage
Enroll America issued a report Monday that examined what worked best to educate and enroll people in coverage under the health law. Meanwhile, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services launched its own educational campaign to help consumers use the benefits available through the overhaul.
Survey: U.S. Health Care Gets The Least Bang For The Buck
News coverage continues to detail the findings of a Commonwealth Fund survey that placed the U.S. last among other Western industrialized countries when it comes to measures of healthy lives. The study notes the U.S. has the highest level of spending, but gets the least bang for the buck. Access to care is a persistent trouble spot – although USA Today notes the survey relied on data collected before the health law was implemented fully.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including developments related to the health care marketplace and state health policy.
Contraceptive Coverage Case Decison Still Pending
The decision on the legal challenge to the health law’s birth control mandate will be issued by the end of this month. Also yet to be released is the Supreme Court’s opinion on abortion opponents’ free-speech challenge to a Massachusetts law mandating a 35-foot protest-free zone on public sidewalks outside abortion clinics.
Insurers View Health Exchanges As Money-Making Opportunities
With the challenge-filled launch season out of the way, health insurance companies who opted out last time around appear to be lining up to participate in the health law’s online insurance marketplaces. Some say this could be good news for consumers.
Health Professionals Push Officials To Slow Digital Health Records
Additionally, venture capitalists pour money into digital health, and more Americans take to the Web and digital devices to store their electronic health data and seek health care support from their peers.
Combining the two huge medical device companies will have global implications.
Houston Clinic Finds Ways To Limit Drug Industry Influence
Doctors are becoming wary of the appearance that drug makers’ gifts can influence their prescription choices. Meanwhile, the federal government serves notice that it wants to find a way to preserve a regulation that would allow hospitals to get discounts on orphan drugs.
U.S. Ranked Last On Scorecard Of Health Care Systems
For the fifth consecutive year, the Commonwealth Fund listed the U.S. last in a ranking of health systems of Western industrialized nations. The rankings looked at quality, outcomes and efficiency.
Senate Bill Could Double Spending On Veterans’ Health
The proposal is slated to add $35 billion to VA health care spending over the next three years — mostly from allowing veterans to seek private care. But it could ultimately cost $50 billion per year if more veterans enroll in the system, according to a Congressional Budget Office projection.
