Latest KFF Health News Stories
Viewpoints: Defunding Planned Parenthood May Not Cut Abortions; Debating The Health Law
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Health care stories are reported from Minnesota, Georgia, Kansas, Texas and North Carolina.
Ala. Legislators Consider Deep Cuts To Medicaid Program To Plug Budget Shortfall
After two days of tense special sessions by lawmakers, Ala. Gov. Robert Bentley called a proposal to slash $156 million from the state’s Medicaid program “unacceptable” and said he was “very disappointed with the Legislature.”
In Mass., Union Presses Effort To Boost Community Hospitals
And in California, a Daughters of Charity deal would keep hospitals there open for five years. Elsewhere, news outlets also report on hospital-related developments at the Mayo Clinic and how public hospitals like Harbor-UCLA are adapting car maker Toyota’s production system — known as lean — to health care.
FDA Issues New Guidelines To Combat ‘Superbug’ Infections Tied To Tainted Scopes
Hospitals should revise disinfection and sterilization processes for medical scopes, as well as conduct microbiological culturing, according to the Food and Drug Administration. Meanwhile, KHN reports on a new study that says that if medical facilities don’t start taking steps to fight antibiotic-resistant germs, contamination rates could increase as much as 10 percent over the next five years.
Bill To Overhaul Mental Health System Introduced By Bipartisan Senate Pair
Sens. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) unveiled legislation that includes provisions such as a new assistant secretary for mental health and substance abuse, a change to privacy laws, increased funding for youth intervention and compliance measures for existing parity requirements.
As New Video Is Unveiled, Trump Supports Linking Planned Parenthood Cuts To Spending Bill
Donald Trump, who is seeking the GOP presidential nomination, said he supports congressional Republicans’ strategy to add a defunding measure to the federal spending, a proposal that some critics have said could shut down the government. Meanwhile, the Congressional Budget Office releases an analysis suggesting that a halt to federal funding of Planned Parenthood would increase federal spending for Medicaid and other programs. Also, the Center for Medical Progress releases a fifth undercover video of Planned Parenthood officials.
GOP Presidential Hopeful Jeb Bush Questions Women’s Health Funding Levels
During a campaign appearance when asked about efforts to defund Planned Parenthood, Bush said he was less than certain that “half a billion” dollars was needed for women’s health programs. He quickly stepped back from the comment, but not before drawing fire from Democrats.
1.8M Americans Could Face Tax Filing Problems That Jeopardize Next Year’s Subsidies
According to administration officials, those taxpayers will have to act quickly to address this issue. In other health law news, the latest on the failure of CoOportunity Health and Medicaid expansion efforts in Wisconsin, as well as a report about how much Blue Shield of California owes in Obamacare rebates.
Aetna Reports Strong Profits With Better-Than-Expected Second Quarter
The nation’s third-largest insurer also details aspects of how its plan to buy Humana will go forward.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Planned Parenthood Debate; Rising State Health Budgets; Christie’s Plans For Medicaid
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Health care stories are reported from Florida, Indiana, New Mexico, California, Arizona, Kansas, Texas, Arkansas and Michigan.
VA To Check Disability Status Of Marines Exposed To Tainted Water
For more than 30 years, some developed cancers after exposure to chemicals at Camp Lejeune. In other military health news, the Navy looks at its fitness assessment tests.
Successful Workers Who Have Mental Health Conditions Offer Advice To Other Employees
The group, called the Stability Network, aims to help people cope with the difficult task of telling co-workers or bosses about their mental illness. Elsewhere, a look at solitary confinement for people with mental illnesses, and Hawaii struggles with how to deal with an increasing prison population that has mental illness.
Universal Autism Screening Not Recommended By Task Force
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force declined to support testing all young children for autism, saying there is not enough evidence to support such a guideline. The panel’s decision is a departure from the guidance issued by other medical and advocacy groups.
Many Women Not Getting Effective Treatment For Ovarian Cancer, Study Finds
Despite efforts by federal officials to alert physicians, fewer than half of women with the disease are getting special abdominal chemotherapy, according to the research. In other women’s health news, outlets look at heart disease treatment and wellness programs.
Health Law, Planned Parenthood Get Airtime At Republican Presidential Forum In N.H.
Fourteen of the candidates vying for the 2016 Republican nomination participated in the event. Another debate is planned for this Thursday. Meanwhile, one of the GOP 2016 hopefuls, La. Gov. Bobby Jindal, is terminating his state’s Medicaid contract with Planned Parenthood.
Community Health Will Spin Off 38 Hospitals In Rural And Suburban Communities
The new publicly traded hospital company, Quorum Health Corp, created by the spinoff, aims to tap into the expanded markets driven by greater Medicaid coverage.
First 3-D Prescription Drug OK’d By FDA
The Food and Drug Administration approved the first three-dimensional printed drug — a medication to treat seizures. Elsewhere, statistics on medical scope safety are called “outdated,” rules on e-cigarettes lag and medical marijuana legislation stalls.
