Latest KFF Health News Stories
First Edition: Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including numerous reports about the Supreme Court’s decision on the health law’s contraception mandate and its effect for coverage and on national politics.
Hospitals Take Steps To Figure Per Patient Costs
New tools rely heavily on data to figure out just what it will cost to treat a patient — and in some cases, companies are buying additional information from “data brokers.”
Concerns Rise About Delays In Getting Generic Drugs To Market
PBS NewsHour explores concerns that settlements on patents for drugs sometimes delay the generic version getting to consumers.
Rule Issued For Small Business Health Insurance Tax Credit
The regulation sets eligibility requirements for businesses seeking tax credits to help them buy coverage for their workers. Meanwhile, a Republican House member complains about not getting information about how the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) is working.
23andMe Founder Working To Restore Firm’s Business, Improve Health Care
The FDA shut down the genetic company’s sales of personalized health reports, but CEO Anne Wojcicki is working to get that part of her business back up and running.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
‘Pattern Of Errors’ Plagues Military Medicine
The New York Times’ investigation finds that on several important measures, the military system “has consistently had higher than expected rates of harm and complications.”
State Highlights: Caring For Texans Injured On-The-Job; Heroin Deaths In Md.; Pertussis In Calif.
A selection of health policy stories from Texas, Maryland, California, New York, Colorado, South Dakota, New Mexico, Florida, Delaware, Iowa and Michigan.
Special Enrollment Periods Could Help Medicare Advantage Members With Dropped Doctors
In the meantime, for-profit hospices are scrutinized for how they bill Medicare.
N.Y. Governor Unveils Plan To Fight HIV
The goal, the governor says, is to reduce new infections to 750 per year by 2020 through aggressive treatment and testing.
Fallout From Medicaid Expansion Fights
In Virginia, The Washington Post traces the behind-the-scenes deal-making to create a job for the Democratic state lawmaker whose resignation gave Republicans control of the chamber and the ability to block Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s plan to expand Medicaid. Meanwhile, a Missouri hospital lays off 60 employees, blaming the state’s failure to expand Medicaid.
Inaccurate Doctor Lists Hurt Access For Low-Income Californians
Meanwhile, confusion over limited providers also has led to unforeseen bills for enrollees in private plans in California, reports The Los Angeles Times. Other stories look at the growing number of insurers who want to participate in the online marketplaces and how 19 states have passed laws restricting the workers who help consumers sign up, despite a new federal rule eliminating many such restrictions.
Medical Boards Draft Plan To Allow Greater Use Of Telemedicine
Amid predictions of a growing doctor shortage, state medical boards have drafted a model law that would make it easier for physicians licensed in one state to treat patients in others, whether in person, by videoconference or online. Meanwhile, former Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius acknowledges she made mistakes in the health law’s rollout by spending “too little time clearly on the technology side.”
Abortion Issue Drives Campaigns
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) promises to do more to limit abortions if Republicans take control of the U.S. Senate, while Wendy Davis, the Democratic nominee for Texas governor, tried to galvanize support a year after her marathon filibuster in the state legislature against abortion restrictions.
Advocates And Critics Brace For High Court Decision On Contraceptive Mandate
The Supreme Court is expected to release its ruling today on a case brought by the owners of Hobby Lobby craft store and Conestoga Wood Specialties Corp., who object to being forced to offer some types of birth control.
Obama To Name Former P&G Chief To Head VA
The president is expected today to nominate Bob McDonald, a West Point graduate and former CEO of Procter & Gamble. The announcement follows the release Friday of a White House report that found the Department of Veterans Affairs has a “corrosive culture” that led to the problems with care for veterans.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including an announcement coming today for a new VA secretary and expectations for a Supreme Court decision on the challenge to the health law’s contraceptive mandate by two for-profit companies.
Waiting On The Supreme Court’s Contraceptive Mandate Decision
The Fiscal Times examines the issues before the Supreme Court on a contraceptive mandate case. Other outlets look at how the health law marketplaces interact with private insurance sales and also at a decision by Sodexo to restore health benefits to thousands of college cafeteria workers after initially blaming the health law for dropping them.
Supreme Court Strikes Down Mass. Buffer Zone For Abortion Clinics
The state had banned protesters within 35 feet of abortion clinics but the ruling by Chief Justice John Roberts said that infringed on First Amendment rights.
Advocacy Group Publicizes Child Deaths From Accidental Shootings
Almost two children a week were killed in unintentional shootings during the 12 months that followed the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, according to a report by the gun control group Everytown for Gun Safety. In other health news, JAMA writes about a policy that helped two states ease geographic disparities in allocating donor kidneys, and The Associated Press examines the effects of a landmark court decision affecting people with disabilities.
