Latest KFF Health News Stories
VA Scandal Becomes Issue In Congressional Campaigns
As probes of Veterans Affairs hospitals continue, Democratic and Republican candidates are pointing fingers and attempting to find political advantage in the controversy.
Most Americans Say Health Law Has Not Affected Them
Among those who report being impacted, Republicans are much more likely to say they know someone who has been hurt by the law, while Democrats are more likely to say their families have been helped, according to The Kaiser Family Foundation’s monthly tracking poll.
Research Roundup: Surviving Trauma When Older; ACA’s Big Waiver For States
This week’s studies come from JAMA Internal Medicine; JAMA Surgery; the Journal of Health Politics, Policy and Law; The Urban Institute; The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation; and the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research.
Sticker Shock Marks Newly Insured’s Health Law Coverage
Also, federal regulators ponder if e-cigarettes are considered tobacco use — allowing insurers to charge more in premiums to their users. And one Texas family’s Obamacare opt-out story.
CMS Won’t Review Billings Despite IG Report That It Overpays Doctors
The inspector general’s report points at $6.7 billion in overspending in 2010 by Medicare. The HHS inspector general also says that the program paid $457 million in 2012 to detect drugs after a sharp increase in prescription drug abuse.
Medtronic Settles Whistleblower Case For $9.9 Million
Suit accused the medical device maker of giving doctors gifts in return for using its products. Elsewhere, a federal judge denied dismissal of a lawsuit against Novartis alleging a kickback campaign to boost its drugs covered by Medicare and Medicaid.
Oregon Gov. Pursues Lawsuit Against Oracle
Gov. John Kitzhaber asks the state attorney general to start legal proceedings against the company that was paid $130 million to build the state’s online exchange, which never functioned properly.
Va. Senate Republican Offers Proposal On Medicaid Impasse
State Sen. Emmett Hanger seeks a compromise on the issue that threatens to shut down the state government because it has deadlocked negotiations on the budget.
Lawmaker Pushes Mental Health Reform Bill In Wake Of Calif. Shooting
Rep. Tim Murphy, R-Pa., held a forum Thursday in an effort to build momentum and consensus around this legislation.
State Highlights: Mo.’s Declining Medicaid Caseload; N.C. Budget Would Cut Medicaid Rolls
A selection of health policy stories from Missouri, North Carolina, California, Wisconsin, Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, Montana and Louisiana.
Health Advocates Allege 4 Fla. Insurers Discriminate Against HIV Patients
In a complaint to federal officials, the groups say the companies set high out-of-pocket costs for drugs to treat HIV and AIDS in an effort to discourage gay patients from picking the plans.
Viewpoints: VA’s Problems Begin With Congress; Costly Hepatitis Drug May Be A Good Buy
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including the reports about the problems with the VA health system.
Oregon Races To Join Federal Exchange
Oregon invites 10 firms to bid for the job of transferring Cover Oregon to the federal marketplace, and lawmakers urge marketplace officials to have backup plans in case the work is not done in time for the next open enrollment period.
Abortion Restrictions Spread Through South
New state laws and regulations are forcing women in the South to travel hundreds of miles to find a clinic where they can get an abortion. Meanwhile, anti-abortion activists lobby Congress to defund Planned Parenthood and distribute undercover videos accusing the group of failing to report sex trafficking.
House Approves Funding For Justice To Investigate VA
In a vote shortly after midnight, the House approved funding for the Justice Department to look into allegations of mismanagement at VA facilities.
Food Fight Shaping Up Over School Lunch Waivers
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says he could accept a Senate compromise on school lunch standards but that he strongly opposes a House Appropriations Committee plan that would grant waivers to school districts that say they can’t afford to comply with the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act.
Conservatives Push For GOP Alternative To Health Law
Conservatives put pressure on House GOP leaders to adopt their own health care plan as an alternative to the health law. And in Kentucky, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell argues on the campaign trail that if Kentucky residents like their health exchange they can keep it — even if Republicans repeal the law.
Wait Times Of 115 Days, Hidden Patient Lists Detailed In VA Report
The inspector general’s preliminary findings reveal that 1,700 patients at the veterans center in Phoenix were not on the official waiting list and that the average wait for new patients who did get appointments was nearly four months.
A selection of health policy stories from Florida, Illinois, New York, Georgia, Maryland, Delaware, Minnesota, Nebraska, Colorado and Massachusetts.
