Latest KFF Health News Stories
N.M. Faces $417 Million Medicaid Shortfall In Current Budget Crunch
Officials are looking at possible cuts in reimbursements for doctors and hospitals. News outlets also report on Medicaid issues in Kansas, Georgia, North Carolina and Alaska.
Hospice Fraud Is Costing Medicare Millions Of Dollars
Federal officials prosecuted more than 60 cases just last year. Also, news outlets report on fraud cases in Illinois, Texas, Florida and Indiana.
Potential Weapon On The Zika Battlefront: Genetically Engineered Mosquitoes
The owner of the company testing the new technology — modifying male mosquitoes to pass on a gene to make their offspring self-destruct — says the approach could save millions of people from being infected with the virus. In other outbreak news, drugmakers race to find a vaccine, and researchers are finding that the effects of Zika go beyond microcephaly.
With No End In Sight, Flint Residents Defeated, Demoralized
Even as aid floods in, there has been no promise that the water problem will be fixed any time soon, and residents are getting tired. “I think we need to stop talking about fixing the water, and get moving. I’m not a politician. I’m not a scientist. All I know is this water is still poison,” said the Rev. Alfred Harris, the pastor of Saints of God Church. Meanwhile, would a different vote on a referendum have changed the fate of the city?
Heroin Crisis Invading Public Places As Epidemic Gains Momentum Across Country
More and more users are overdosing in cars, fast food restaurants, public bathrooms and on mass transit.
Initiative Makes Getting Veterans Cutting-Edge Cancer Technology Top Priority
Long ago, the Department of Veterans Affairs got left behind on cancer research, but now a new push is aiming to bring veterans back into clinical trials. In other news, Vietnam veterans search ships’ logs in their continued push to get compensation for possible Agent Orange exposure.
Hybrid Long-Term Care Insurance Gaining Interest
The New York Times examines the increasing popularity of this type of insurance policy. Also, the Times looks at how much retirees should save for medical costs. And The Denver Post explores the importance of end-of-life discussions.
High Court Temporarily Blocks Louisiana Abortion Law Focused On Doctors’ Admitting Privileges
The Supreme Court said the decision was “consistent with” one last June that blocked a Texas law.
Talks On Troubled Tribal Hospital May Propel S.D. Medicaid Expansion Plans
Federal officials are in discussions with the Rosebud Sioux Tribe over a reservation hospital, the Sioux Falls Argus Leader reports. In Missouri, where Medicaid expansion is a political issue, PolitiFact looks at a Democratic candidate’s comments.
Health Law Plans Will Be Rated On Provider Network Size
New rules, scheduled for publication Tuesday, will allow insurers to sell health plans with narrow provider networks, but it will rate plans so that consumers know what they are getting. News outlets also report on how the health law is not erasing unpaid hospital expenses and, as a result of the Affordable Care Act, some states are giving physician assistants more autonomy.
GOP Health Policy Experts Despair Over Trump Plan, See Chance Of Reshaping Landscape Slipping Away
Republicans experts are lobbing insults at Donald Trump’s health care plan, which he released last week. “I think it really makes you want to scratch your head and possibly bounce it off a table once or twice,” said Paul Howard, director of health policy at the Manhattan Institute.
Clinton, Sanders Unite Over Flint Water Crisis At Debate
During the seventh Democratic debate, which was held in Flint, Mich., the candidates’ focus turned to the city’s public health crisis, with Hillary Clinton joining Bernie Sanders’ call for Gov. Rick Snyder to resign or to face a recall election.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Is Anything New In Trump’s Health Plan?; Clinton’s Public Option Revival
A selection of opinions from around the country.
Research Roundup: Marketplace Enrollees; Fighting Infections; Unintended Pregnancies
Here is a selection of news coverage of recent health research.
State Highlights: Va. Deregulation Bill Advances; Puerto Rico’s Financial Problems Hit Health Care
News outlets report on health issues in Virginia, Puerto Rico, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Utah, New York and Pennsylvania.
Conn. Payments To Hospitals ‘On Hold’ Because Of Budget Problems
In other hospital news, the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services will likely reduce the number of treatment beds available. Also, a series of reports from the Washington state Auditor’s Office continue to point out problems with the management of Western State Hospital.
California Assembly Approves Measure Raising Smoking Age To 21
The bill, which also includes restrictions on electronic cigarettes, would make California one of the first states to adopt the higher legal smoking age. But Massachusetts lawmakers are considering a similar measure.
Administration Extends Medicaid To 15,000 Pregnant Women, Children In Flint
“This Medicaid expansion is critical to ensuring that Flint families exposed to high lead levels get the care and support they need, including blood lead level monitoring and comprehensive health services,” Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Mich., said.
Florida House Approves Bill To Give Some Immigrant Children Subsidized Health Care
The bill would allow immigrant children living legally in the state to bypass a five-year waiting period and get immediate eligibility for coverage. Also, Arkansas officials announce that they will soon close a backlog on Medicaid applications for infants.
