Latest KFF Health News Stories
Retail Clinics May Drive Up Health Spending, Study Finds
Advocates say consumers can use the retail clinics to provide a less expensive alternative to emergency rooms and doctor visits. But the research in the journal Health Affairs suggests that instead patients are going to the clinics for care that they wouldn’t necessarily seek from a doctor.
Prescription Drug Costs Trigger State Pushes For Transparency
Stateline reports that 11 states have introduced legislation that would require drug makers to justify their prices by disclosing spending on marketing and research, among other things. Meanwhile, STAT reports on how Harvoni’s ad blitz is generating significant interest in the hepatitis C drug despite its high cost. In other news, Texas officials are studying whether adding more generics into the Medicaid program would help control costs, and Valeant is poised to release its fourth-quarter results.
N.H. Lawmakers Weigh Work Requirement As They Prepare For Medicaid Expansion Vote
The legislature is expected to vote this week on a measure determining whether to continue the state’s Medicaid expansion program. In Arkansas, a panel backs the governor’s plan to continue the state’s expansion, and a Kansas poll finds community support growing for Medicaid.
Democratic Candidates Asked About Abortion For First Time At Fox Town Hall
At Fox’s town hall on Monday, Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders both said they support a woman’s right to choose when moderator Brett Baier grilled them on late-term abortions. The lack of questions on the topic in debates and town halls sparked an #AskAboutAbortion movement from those who want the candidates to solidify their positions.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
A selection of opinions from around the country.
News outlets report on health issues in Florida, Connecticut, Colorado, Illinois, Washington, North Carolina and Minnesota.
West Virginia Bill Would Shield Hospitals From State, Federal Anti-Trust Regs
The proposal is drawing increasing scrutiny as some are concerned it would draw large hospital monopolies to the state. News outlets also report hospital-related developments in Wisconsin, North Carolina, Illinois and Louisiana.
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.
