Latest KFF Health News Stories
Life Expectancy Dips For White Women: Statistical Blip Or ‘Harbinger Of Things To Come’?
Recent reports show an increase in suicides, overdoses and unintentional poisonings — which is mainly alcohol and drug poisoning — but researchers say they need more data in years to come to determine if the drop is significant.
Johnson & Johnson’s Prescription Drug Revenue Boosts Quarterly Earnings
In other pharmaceutical news, a health plan shifts its hepatitis C stance amid outcry that the expensive drug is being covered only when the disease becomes life-threatening, Express Scripts files off a volley of its own in Anthem contract dispute, and the Food and Drug Administration’s new chief says the agency shouldn’t distance itself too far from the industry it regulates.
Massachusetts Physicians Work Around Insurance Companies
Meanwhile, two Wisconsin insurers begin a partnership.
Theranos’ Fate Could Hinge On Thin Line Between Rosy Projections And False Promotion
At worst, if investigators find evidence of hype that crosses the line with the blood-testing startup, its executives could face jail time. Meanwhile, Theranos board member David Boies says he has confidence in CEO Elizabeth Holmes following news of investigations into the company.
Medicare Proposal Would Drop Cuts To Hospitals Based On Two-Midnight Inpatient Rule
The wide-ranging proposed rule for hospital payments seeks to mute industry criticism of how federal officials handle reimbursements and classifications for inpatients, as well as overpayments and bundled services.
Republicans Say They’ve Found Evidence Of Possible Illegal Conduct Over Fetal Tissue Profits
The Democrats, however, say the report is based on documents that were obtained illegally, and have led to “inaccurate and misleading” conclusions.
‘Quality And Safety’ Issues Halt Work At NIH Labs For Internal Inquiry
Lab conditions and the risk of contamination were determined to not be suitable to produce clinical-study drugs at two facilities. No evidence of patient harm has been found.
CMS To States: Cutting Medicaid Funding To Planned Parenthood Could Violate Federal Law
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services sent a letter to all 50 states warning them that ending funding is tantamount to restricting access to a qualified provider, which goes against the law.
Arkansas Senate To Take Up Bill At Center Of Strategy To Save Medicaid Expansion
The bill has a provision to sunset the state’s Medicaid expansion program, but the governor has pledged to use his line-item veto on that measure, thus insuring the program will be funded and continue.
UnitedHealth To Exit All But A Few ACA Markets
The insurer’s exchange business was relatively small, but the move draws attention to the industry’s struggle to adjust to the sicker, more costly pool of customers that have dominated the market under the Affordable Care Act.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Detailing The Evidence That Obamacare Is Working; Politics And Drug Prices
A selection of opinions from around the country.
A selection of opinions from around the country.
Seattle Doctor Hopes To Unlock SIDS Mystery By Studying Inner Ear Link
Dr. Daniel Rubens is launching a two-year study that focuses on how inner ear defects may lead to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Elsewhere, a new study adds to growing research that the HPV vaccine is underutilized, Pennsylvania researchers make strides toward a treatment for a rare genetic disease, a report on the impact of Colorado’s marijuana law is out, and a health survey out of North Carolina suggests e-cigarette use is still on the rise in the state’s schools.
State Lawmakers Take Aim At Astronomical Air Ambulance Bills
As patients are getting stuck with bank-breaking costs for the life-saving rides, lawmakers are trying to get rules in place to regulate the industry. But their efforts have been blocked along the way.
Alabama Lawmakers Schedule Hearing On Expected Cuts To Medicaid
The legislature did not approve the governor’s full funding for the program, and officials have said cuts will need to be made in Medicaid. Also in the news is a look at a report prepared for the North Carolina legislature about problems implementing changes in the state’s Medicaid program.
‘Though Not Perfect, It Is Fair’: Court Upholds $1B NFL Concussion Settlement
The appellants can still ask a larger panel of judges at the Third Circuit to hear their appeal, or they can solicit the Supreme Court, but legal experts say both would be a long shot.
Obama Doubles Funding Request For Zika Research To $277M
Meanwhile, Democrats are urging Senate Republicans to act and appropriate money to fight the virus before its too late.
Study Finds ‘Tremendous Potential’ Of Pancreas Cell Transplants For Patients With Severe Diabetes
A year later, 88 percent of the people in the study who were given a cell transplant were free of severe hypoglycemia events, had their awareness of blood sugar dips restored and harbored glucose levels in near-normal ranges.
GAO: Veterans Still Face Months-Long Wait Times When Seeking Health Care
The report, released by the Government Accountability Office, comes just before a House Veterans Affairs’ Committee hearing on the issue. “This report proves what we’ve long known: wait-time manipulation continues at VA and the department’s wait-time rhetoric doesn’t match up with the reality of veterans’ experiences,” Rep. Jeff Miller (R-Fla.), the committee chairman says.
