Latest KFF Health News Stories
Audits To Be Conducted On 31 Florida Hospitals That May Be Receiving Too Much Medicaid Money
Elsewhere, Connecticut agrees to pay back the federal government $1 million in Medicaid funds paid based on improper billing but disputes that the state owes another $23 million. In Missouri, officials are considering a switch of all Medicaid services to managed care.
Partners Healthcare To Open Urgent Care Clinics In Massachusetts
This step, by Massachusetts’ largest health system, will likely shake up this fast-growing market. In other news, a Kansas City clinic receives a federal designation that will likely translate into funding boosts and two grants were awarded to Wisconsin health centers to pay the costs of new clinics.
The Push For Mental Health Parity Shows Slow Progress Even In A State Ahead Of The Curve
Kaiser Health News examines California’s efforts to achieve parity in mental health care. In other news related to mental health, a status check on Iowa’s mental health care system and the difficulties faced by an Illinois clinic.
Meanwhile, Reuters reports on a recent study exploring the demographic factors related to who calls for ambulances.
Kasich Seeks To Redefine Conservatism With His Moderate Policies
His efforts involve defending his decision to expand Medicaid in Ohio and emphasizing campaign themes regarding immigration policies, mental health, drug treatment and help for the working poor who don’t have health insurance.
Lawmakers Seeking No-Cost Coverage For Mammography For Younger Women
The members of Congress are concerned about an expected review by the U. S. Preventive Services Task Force, which has signaled that it doesn’t find convincing evidence of potential benefits for women in their 40s. Also in the news are articles about the push for a new libido-boosting drug for women and First Lady Michelle Obama’s new policy adviser on nutrition and obesity.
HHS Warns States About Ending Medicaid Funds For Planned Parenthood
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has been in contact with officials in Louisiana and Alabama this month warning them that efforts to defund the nonprofit organization could result in restricting beneficiaries’ access to services, which is protected.
Survey Explores Trends In Employer Health Benefits, Efforts To Control Health Costs
News outlets report on a variety of findings from the National Business Group on Health’s annual survey of large employers.
CDC Uninsured Data Highlights Progress In Expanding Coverage To Adult Hispanics
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics reported coverage gains in the first three months of this year that were related to the health law. Hispanic adults had the greatest percentage point decrease in the uninsured rate — 28.3 percent — since 2013, before enrollment began in marketplace plans authorized under the law.
First Edition: August 13, 2015
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Debate On Rising Premiums; Keep The ‘Cadillac Tax’; Contraceptive Battles
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Health care stories are reported from California, Texas, Florida, Illinois, Arizona, New York, West Virginia and Virginia.
N.C. Senate OKs Revamping Medicaid But Rejects Bid To Expand The Program
Five Democrats joined with Republicans in voting for the plan, which would replace the North Carolina Medicaid program’s current fee-for-service system with one that invites private insurance companies and regional hospital and doctor networks to contract with the state.
Texas Whistleblower Says Medicare Advantage Plans Overstate Home Visit Charges
Also in news related to Medicare, MedPAC argues for tightening dialysis subsidy rules.
General Electric Selling Health Care Lending Unit To Capital One For About $9B
GE Capital’s Healthcare Financial Services business lends to a variety of companies, including hospitals, drug makers and medical device specialists. GE will retain a portion of the business that lends to its medical equipment operations customers.
New Group Of Cholesterol Drugs Adds To Drug-Pricing Discussion
The medications, estimated to cost about $15,000 a year, could become a life-long treatment for millions of people.
Women’s Health Issues, Planned Parenthood Funding Debate Continue To Find Campaign-Trail Traction
Donald Trump appeared to be taking a step back from his earlier comments that he would be willing to shut the government down over the debate to defund Planned Parenthood. The Washington Post’s The Fix details Trump’s latest positions as enunciated during the candidate’s recent appearance on the Sean Hannity Show. And Hillary Clinton and Jeb Bush continue to spar.
The Scientific Side Of The Fetal Tissue Debate
The Associated Press reports on how this tissue has been used by researchers for decades for the development of vaccines and a variety of treatments. Other news outlets offer fact-checking and insights regarding the controversy over federal funding of Planned Parenthood.
House Republicans View Health Law As Opportunity For Legal Challenge To Executive Power
The New York Times reports on what it describes as a “little-noticed legal fight that could redefine the balance of power in Washington.” Meanwhile, other news outlets report on a healthcare.gov special enrollment glitch as well as a new report detailing recommended changes to the overhaul.
Number Of Uninsured Americans Dropped By 7 Million In First 3 Months Of 2015, Federal Report Finds
The report, issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics, estimated that the total number of people without insurance declined by 15.8 million since major provisions of the health law began taking effect in 2013.
