Latest KFF Health News Stories
Small Nonprofit Hospitals At Tipping Point, Says Rating Service
Small and stand-alone nonprofit hospitals are facing mounting pressure from weak operating margins and lower patient volumes, according to a report from Standard & Poor’s Rating Services. Meanwhile, hospitals cope with the changing health care landscape by exploring ways to help low-income consumers pay their Obamacare premiums and offering no-interest payment plans for those with high-deductible insurance policies.
Texas Lawmakers Explore Market-Based Alternatives To Medicaid
Meanwhile, the success of California’s enrollment drive has created a new set of challenges — how to provide high-quality health care to 11 million Medi-Cal beneficiaries while keeping costs down.
Sunshine Act Website Marked By Technical Problems
Modern Healthcare reports that this website, which is designed to report industry payments to physicians and teaching hospitals, was temporarily suspended last week but is scheduled to be publicly accessible Sept. 30. Meanwhile, the Des Moines Register explores issues related to the National Practitioner Data Bank.
Survey: Companies Continue Shift Of Health Costs To Workers
The main way companies are seeking to curb health care costs is by moving workers into high-deductible health plans, according to the survey by the National Business Group on Health. Nearly a third are offering such plans as the only option to their workers in 2015, the survey found.
VA Secretary: Number Of Vets Being Referred To Private Doctors Is Rising
Robert McDonald tells American Veterans national convention that his department is quickly moving to significantly increase the number of veterans referred to doctors outside the system. Also, the department announces that veterans with Lou Gehrig’s Disease will be eligible for a government housing program.
The Rush Is On: Process Immigrant Paperwork To Keep Them Insured
The Wall Street Journal reports on reaction to the Obama administration’s announcement that coverage would be cut off for as many as 310,000 people if they don’t prove they are citizens or legal residents by Sept. 5. Other news outlets offer local takes on the issue.
Medical Advisory Panel Recommends New Pneumonia Vaccine For Seniors
The experts expressed concern, however, that Medicare rules may hamper some people from getting the new vaccine if they have already had an older version. Also in drug issues, some patient advocates report that insurers are balking at paying for a costly drug to treat hepatitis C if the patients are in drug treatment programs.
Closing Arguments Made In Texas Trial Over Abortion Restrictions
U.S. District Judge Lee Yeakel promised to rule in the case as quickly as possible. Whichever side loses is likely to appeal.
Viewpoints: Enrollment ‘Plummeting’?; Arkansas’ ‘Boondoggle’; Move Medicare To Obamacare Exchanges
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Colorado Market Called ‘Very Competitive’; California Loses Some Plans
While some state marketplaces are adding insurance carriers — and The Urban Institute calls Colorado’s marketplace “very competitive” — several plans will not be returning to Covered California.
State Highlights: Mass. Hospitals See 70% Jump In Mistakes
A selection of health policy stories from Massachusetts, Maryland, Texas, California, Wisconsin and Illinois.
Longer Looks: A Sugar Cube Pyramid; The Suicide Checklist
Each week KHN finds interesting reads from around the web.
First Edition: August 14, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including a report about an uptick in VA referrals to private physicians.
Citizenship, Immigration Issues Threaten Health Coverage For 310,000 People
The federal government has mailed notification to the people in three dozen states. These people have until Sept. 5 to present green cards, citizenship documents or other information to prove their eligibility for health insurance purchased through the online insurance marketplace. If this deadline is missed, the coverage will end as of Sept. 30.
Study Finds Big Range In State Workers’ Health Costs
A first-of-its-kind study by two charitable organizations found that states paid nearly $31 billion on employee insurance last year – making it the second largest category of state health care spending after Medicaid. But the costs borne by state workers varied widely.
Actor’s Suicide Shows Complexities Of Depression And Its Treatment
The Washington Post looks at how Robin Williams’ death has reignited a national conversation about mental health issues and treatment, and whether public attitudes toward diagnosis and treatment are changing.
CEO Joseph Swedish said the change was motivated by the company’s belief that it was important to go with the name people know best — Anthem. It is happening at a time when, because of the health law and changes in how employers offer workers insurance, consumers increasingly shop for their own coverage.
World Health Organization Approves Use Of Experimental Ebola Treatment
The drugs have not yet been through FDA testing, but WHO says they can be used for “compassionate use” to help in the African outbreak. However, manufacturers may not have many supplies available.
Insurance Rate Hikes Could Be Issue In Key States
Although rate hikes average 7.5 percent nationally for the individual health insurance market, consumers in politically key states such as Florida and North Carolina may see higher increases– and insurers are partly blaming the administration’s decision to allow consumers to hold onto their old policies. Other stories look at the long-term challenges faced by for-profit hospitals and insurers under the health law and the tech issues plaguing the website designed to show how much drugmakers give to doctors.
Viewpoints: Medicaid’s Good Deal; Medicare Hospital Errors; CBO On Exchange Coverage
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
