Latest KFF Health News Stories
Research Roundup: Surgical Site Infections; Medicare Drug Plans
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
First Edition: August 22, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including coverage of issues related to hospice care.
Texas Faces Barriers To Signing Immigrants Up For Coverage
Outreach is also proving a big barrier to signing Latinos up for health insurance in California, many say.
Special Election Secures GOP Control Of Va. Legislature
The results are expected to hamper efforts by Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe to expand Medicaid.
Sen. Pryor Debuts Campaign Ad Embracing Health Law Provisions
The Arkansas Democrat, who is in a tough reelection fight, talked about his own struggle with cancer and how the health law provisions that prohibit insurance companies from denying coverage to people with medical problems could have helped him.
Handicapping How ‘Obamacare,’ Other Health Issues Play Into Campaigns
The New York Times examines how the outcome of midterm elections and subsequent efforts to replace parts of the health law could factor into the presidential campaign landscape. Meanwhile, a recent poll notes that small business owners are less concerned about the health law than previously.
Lawsuit Challenges Employer Wellness Program
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission brought a lawsuit on behalf of a former employee of Orion Energy Systems, based in Manitowoc, Wis., saying she was punished and then fired for refusing to participate in a company wellness program. Another story looks at how companies are buying or subsidizing fitness-tracking devices to encourage employees to be more fit.
Poll: Californians Support Stronger Regulation Of Insurance Rates
The ballot initiative, which will likely be the subject of a costly campaign battle, is championed by consumer groups but opposed by many in the medical and insurance industries.
State Highlights: Ill. Plans Medicaid Contraception Boost; Minn. Union Vote
A selection of health policy stories from California, Illinois, Minnesota, Georgia and Pennsylvania.
How Chinese Hackers Stole Patient Data
The hackers exploited ‘Heartbleed’ — a hole in widely used data-protection technology — to steal data on 4.5 million patients of Community Health Systems, according to Bloomberg News. Another report looks at why your medical information might be vulnerable.
Viewpoints: ‘Raw Judicial Politics’ On Health Law; Texas Abortion Trial; Suicide And Gender
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Longer Looks: The Right To Pain Relief; Limiting Access To Sovaldi
Each week KHN finds interesting reads from around the Web.
First Edition: August 21, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about a new “Obamacare” ad in the Arkansas Senate race and a California poll measuring how the state’s voters feel about a ballot initiative that would expand the state’s ability to regulate health insurance rates.
Health Law’s Medical Device Tax Falls Short Of Revenue Target
An IG report concludes that the Internal Revenue Service continues to face problems implementing this tax, including difficulties in identifying the companies that owe it.
Md. Officials Vow To Have Marketplace Working In November
The online insurance website was plagued with problems during last year’s enrollment season, but state officials say they are confident the $40 million reconstruction of the site will work.
GOP Candidates Make Late-Term Abortions Campaign Trail Issue
Republicans who see potential on the Senate political map are turning to this issue as a counter-attack to Democrats’ messaging on birth control and personhood.
Some States Angered About Lack Of Authority Over Medicare Advantage Plans
Elsewhere, Medicare officials consider offering HIV tests for all Medicare beneficiaries.
Walgreens’ Billion-Dollar Medicare-Biz Forecasting Mistake
Also, the Wall Street Journal examines the collapse of the Vascular Biogenics initial public offering.
Internet Security Is Growing Concern At Health Care Sites
The recent hacker attack against Community Health Systems highlights concerns about patient privacy as hospitals, doctors and other providers move to use more electronic records.
In Arkansas’ Private-Plan Medicaid Expansion Model, Enrollees May Have To Contribute To HSAs
Meanwhile, in Wisconsin, Gov. Scott Walker defended his Medicaid policy and decision not to pursue the health law’s expansion.
