Latest KFF Health News Stories
CDC Closes Labs After Anthrax, Flu Accidents
Federal government labs in Atlanta were temporarily shut after it was discovered they had improperly sent potentially deadly pathogens, including anthrax, botulism and virulent bird flue virus, to other labs.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Dozens Of Religious Groups Refuse To Sign Contraceptive Opt-Out
The two-page form, designed to accommodate religious beliefs, is regarded as an untenable compromise by some religious employers, reports The New York Times. Meanwhile, GOP governors see little fallout from the Supreme Court’s contraceptive coverage decision.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including coverage of Medicare, the health law and veterans’ care policy issues as well as reports from the campaign trail.
Boehner’s Lawsuit To Target Employer Mandate Delay
Speaker of the House John Boehner, R-Ohio, is challenging the Obama administration’s failure to enforce parts of the health law.
Obamacare Lowers Uninsured Rate, Three Studies Find
According to three new studies, the health law has in its first year reduced the number of uninsured adults by between 8 million and 11 million, and the majority of enrollees report satisfaction with their plans.
New Rules On ‘Off-Label’ Drug Marketing Expected
The FDA is reviewing what kind of data drug companies should be allowed to give doctors about off-label uses with a goal of issuing guidelines by year’s end.
Mass. Fix To Insurance Website Passes Preliminary Test
New software for the health exchange has passed its initial testing and officials say they are cautiously optimistic that the state can run its own marketplace when enrollment begins in the fall. Also, Modern Healthcare examines where small business exchanges stand.
Michigan Surpasses Medicaid Enrollment Goal In 4 Months
Meanwhile, an ambitious Connecticut plan to overhaul how health care is delivered and paid for worries Medicaid advocates, who fear doctors will have financial incentives to withhold care.
Newly Covered Addicts Unable To Get Residential Care
Under an obscure, 50-year-old rule, Medicaid covers residential addiction treatment only if a center has 16 or fewer beds, severely limiting options for newly covered drug addicts and alcoholics, reports The New York Times. Meanwhile, some Californians whose doctors are not in their plans have been able to switch coverage after the deadline because of the law’s “qualifying life events” provision, according to the San Jose Mercury News.
State Highlights: UnitedHealth Sues Calif. To Stop Fine
A selection of health policy stories from California, Virginia, Missouri, Vermont, Maryland, Georgia and New York.
Viewpoints: Parsing Newest Reports Of Coverage Gains; ‘Scientific Fraudsters’
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Research Roundup: Young Adults Baffled By Exchange; Medicare Spending Slowdown
This week’s studies come from Health Affairs, the Annals of Internal Medicine, Plos One, the Urban Institute and The Kaiser Family Foundation.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including coverage of surveys that offer insight into how the health law is doing in terms of reducing the nation’s rate of uninsurance.
Survey: People With New Health Law Insurance Are Happy
About 9.5 million Americans gained coverage during the health law’s open enrollment period, and the uninsured rate for working-age adults fell from 20 percent to 15 percent, according to a survey by the Commonwealth Fund.
Va. Lawmakers To Take Up Medicaid Debate In September
State Republican legislative leaders who opposed expansion of the health care program for low-income residents announced that they will call the legislature into session to weigh the governor’s proposal.
Medicare Providers Say They Lose Millions Due To Excessive Audits
Health care providers say they’re losing millions that are tied up in appeals because of the increasing number of Medicare audits. Meanwhile, the trade group representing family physicians complains about Congress’ failure to fix Medicare’s outdated physician payment formula.
Those With Mental Illness Face 80% Unemployment
But, the report says that while 60 percent of those with mental illnesses want to work, only 2 percent of people in the public mental health system get help to find work.
Prisons Cut Health Care Costs, But Aging Inmate Population Threatens Budgets
Elsewhere, a lawsuit alleging bad medical care at a Virginia women’s prison is delayed by institution of a new provider to give that care.
McConnell Counters Medicare Ad With One Of His Own
Also, the Washington Post fact-checks another ad which positions Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., as a key Obamacare opponent and claims the health law increased insurance premiums 50 percent.
