Latest KFF Health News Stories
Drugmaker Hits Pause After Receiving Blistering Criticism Over $89,000 Medication
Hours after receiving a letter from Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., calling the pricing strategy on the muscular dystrophy drug unconscionable, Marathon Pharmaceuticals announced it was reevaluating the product launch.
2 Studies Suggest ACOs’ Savings And Quality Improvements Increase Over Time
The research into accountable care organizations — which link hospitals, doctors and other health providers together to provide more coordinated care and lower spending — is published in JAMA Internal Medicine. One study shows that an ACO program set up by the health law saved Medicare money by reducing post-acute care but not hurting quality of care. The other study looks at Medicaid ACOs in Colorado and Oregon and found that despite different approaches, both programs saved money.
‘Risk Corridor’ Ruling Could Be $8 Billion Headache For U.S.
Risk corridors were set up under the 2010 health law to spread risk by collecting money from insurers with healthier populations and distributing it to those with older, sicker customers, but Republicans essentially froze funding to the initiative. A judge ruled that one insurer was owed money from the government, and others could be emboldened by the decision.
Facing Barrage Of Furious Town Hall Questions, GOP Lawmakers Have Few Answers
“If I could give you an answer today, I would, but I can’t,” Wisconsin Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner said in the latest example of Republicans having to dodge questions about the future of the Affordable Care Act. Meanwhile, the myth of death panels makes a return, and one prominent lawmaker says these town hall protests won’t alter the future of repeal.
‘We’re Firing With Real Bullets Now’: GOP Faces Similar Obstacles As In 2014, But Stakes Are Higher
Health law repeal efforts today look a lot like they did in 2014 during Republicans’ most dedicated effort to devise an alternative, but the process took place under the threat of a presidential veto. Meanwhile, this week conservative Republicans will urge leadership to move on repeal, without waiting for a replacement plan. “Instead of continuing to spin our wheels, we need a starting place,” said Republican Study Committee Chairman Mark Walker, R-N.C.
High-Risk Pools Are Mainstays In GOP ‘Replace’ Plans, But They’ve Failed Time And Again
High-risk pools that operated in the states before the Affordable Care Act had limited enrollment, very high premiums, steep deductibles, pre-existing condition exclusions lasting six to 12 months, annual and lifetime benefit limits and waiting lists.
Lone Obama Holdover Shulkin Unanimously Confirmed To Take Over Troubled VA
David Shulkin promised he would address the problems that have been plaguing the agency, but that it wouldn’t be privatized on his watch.
First Edition: February 14, 2017
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Drug Companies ‘Risky’ Idea; Scrapping Rule On Guns And Mental Illness Is ‘A Bad Move’
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Opinion writers take stock of where things stand with the GOP’s effort to undo the health law.
Outlets report on news from Georgia, New Jersey, District of Columbia, California, Minnesota, Kansas, Florida, Ohio, Iowa, Texas and Connecticut.
Providers Warn Mass. Gov. That Plan To Cut Medicaid May Affect Home Health Services
Home health agencies say the governor’s plan to rein in Medicaid spending with a trim in reimbursements would mean that they would stop sending nurses to homes to check on patients with chronic illnesses and that would shift more people into long-term care facilities. Also, news outlets report on Medicaid developments in Kansas and New Jersey.
Hospital Roundup: Preventing Avoidable Errors; Executive Incentives To Improve Quality
Other industry news relates to a Chinese eye hospital chain planning to enter the U.S. market, Ohio facilities joining to create a new trauma care network and a Florida hospital partnering with a Brazilian company to help patients with disabilities.
States Begin To Assess Effects Of Judge’s Decision To Block Anthem-Cigna Merger
Officials and news outlets in Colorado and New Hampshire, two states that opposed the merger, review the situation.
Depression In Teens Is Soaring — And It’s Hitting Girls Particularly Hard
There’s now about a half million more depressed teens than in the early 2000s, and three-fourths of those participants in the study were girls. In other public health news, the fight against C. diff, FluMist, baby boxes, art therapy and fear of death.
As White America Comes Out Of Shadows On Opioid Abuse, People Of Color Remain Hidden
More and more, white Americans are putting faces to the opioid epidemic through explicit obituaries, interviews and letters to lawmakers. However, blacks, Latinos, Asians, and Native Americans are noticeably absent, which represents a larger trend with the crisis itself. Meanwhile, the Affordable Care Act helped expand treatment for substance abuse, and some worry what will happen if the law is dismantled.
In Midst Of Pharma Trying To Rebrand Image, Company Jacks Up Old Drug’s Price To $89,000
Marathon has set the list price of its muscular dystrophy drug at $89,000 a year, 50 to 70 times higher than patients were paying to import the drug from the U.K.
Both Sides Of Abortion Fight Turn Out In Force At Planned Parenthood Clinics Across Country
Activists in the anti-abortion movement set up rallies at Planned Parenthood clinics for the weekend, but they were met with counter-protesters who came out to support the organization.
Schumer Vows Democrats Will Work To Keep GOP From Putting Medicare ‘On Chopping Block’
The leader of the Senate Democrats points to concerns that Republicans will seek to change Medicare to be a voucher program. Echoing those concerns about the future of the program, AARP has initiated online and TV ads supporting Medicare.
Patients And Providers Alike Anxious Over Future Of Health Care Coverage
Many are worried that if the health law is dismantled, they’ll lose their coverage.
