Latest KFF Health News Stories
Earlier Hep C Treatment With Pricey New Drugs May Be More Cost-Effective Than Waiting
A computer simulation finds that treating the disease when liver damage first begins can save money over the long run, especially if the cost of the new generation drugs is addressed. Some insurers won’t cover the treatment until a patient’s liver disease is advanced. In related news, NPR reports on the financial and public health calculations of the expensive hepatitis C prescriptions in prisons.
Pre-Diabetes A Likely Condition For Nearly Half Of All 45-Year-Olds, Study Says
A large Dutch study used population estimates to draw this conclusion. Pre-diabetes has no clear symptoms, according to reports, but people with blood tests indicating higher than normal blood sugar should be tested regularly for diabetes. In other public health news, the Food and Drug Administration is targeting inaccurate medical tests, and as the U.S. surgeon general works on a serious public health agenda that includes addressing substance abuse, gun violence and mental health issues, he is also emphasizing happiness as a way to prevent disease and be healthy.
Federal Appeals Court Rules Against Wis. Abortion Law That Mandates Doctor Credentials
The state law requires doctors who perform abortions to have admitting privileges at a local hospital. Nearly a dozen states have similar provisions, and the U.S. Supreme Court will hear a case on the issue this term. Meanwhile in Texas, women must navigate a growing number of obstacles to terminate a pregnancy, and Planned Parenthood sues the state over its threat to end Medicaid funding for the health organization.
Gallup Poll: More Than Half In U.S. Think Health Insurance Is A Gov’t Responsibility
Even with this finding, though, the health law continues to enjoy only mixed support. Meanwhile, Politico Pro examines what some mid-sized businesses, which must begin offering health coverage to their employees in January, think about the health law’s Medicaid expansion. Also, The Fiscal Times reports on a study that highlights the importance of shopping around during this open enrollment season.
Financing For Sanders’ Plan To Expand Medicare To All Is Not Yet Clear
USA Today examines the Democratic presidential candidate’s tax proposals. Also, the announcement of a blockbuster merger involving a U.S. and Irish firm drew comments from some candidates.
CVS’ Drug-Benefits Unit Makes Exclusive Deal To Cover Amgen’s New Cholesterol Drug
The agreement, which makes Repatha the only drug in a new class of cholesterol-lowering medicines that will be covered by Caremark — the CVS pharmacy benefits manager — excludes a competing drug from Regeneron and Sanofi.
After Merger To Create ‘Drug Behemoth,’ Pfizer Already Considering Splitting New Company
The Wall Street Journal reports that Pfizer officials have considered splits before but now may be ready to do it. Also, the announcement of the megamerger with Allergan has set off concerns about competition in the health care industry, high drug prices and U.S. tax policy.
Viewpoints: United HealthCare’s Warning; BlueShield’s Promise In Calif.; Drug-Pricing ‘Takeover’
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
A selection of health care stories from California, Oregon, Montana, the District of Columbia, Illinois, South Dakota, Massachusetts, Michigan, Georgia, North Carolina and Kansas.
Children’s Anxiety When Living In Violent Environments Can Cause Sleep Troubles
Many kids who live in fear of violence in their neighborhoods suffer from nightmares and sleep disorders. As a result they are not getting enough sleep, and that’s affecting their behavior and academic performance, experts say. In related news, hospital workers in San Francisco work to keep schoolchildren safe as as the kids walk to after-school activities.
Data Highlight Racial Disparities In NIH Funding
In a review of information gained through a Freedom of Information Act request, Marketplace reports on a pattern of lower approval levels for grant applications filed by minority researchers. Also in the news, a look at how different ethnic groups view end-of-life care and the Food and Drug Administration advisory panel is poised to recommend approval of the first drugs to aid patients with muscular dystrophy.
Nixon’s ‘War On Drugs’–Now More Than 40 Years Old–Struggles On As Death Toll Rises
The New York Times takes a retrospective look at drug addiction. Overdoses kill 44,000 Americans a year, more than die in car crashes or gun violence. Also, The Washington Post describes how drug users often turn to an antidote to help others who overdose.
As Medicare Drug Plans’ Premiums Rise, Beneficiaries Should Check Their Options
Meanwhile, the number of subsidized Medicare drug plans is dropping because of insurance market consolidation and federal rules discouraging duplicative options — leaving some seniors with fewer options from which to choose.
Louisiana’s Democratic Governor-Elect Readies Medicaid Expansion Push
But the path forward on expansion isn’t entirely clear, especially as the state deals with a budget shortfall. The Hill also reports on how more states in the South are considering expansion.
More False Claims Act Cases Alleging Stark Law Violations Likely, Say Lawyers
In other marketplace news, a DaVita subsidiary — RMS Lifeline — is under Justice Department scrutiny regarding the medical necessity of certain procedures performed at two of its Florida centers.
Firm That Hiked Price Of Anti-Parasite Drug Is Considering A Discount For Hospitals
Turing Pharmaceuticals raised the drug price from $13.50 to $750 a tablet in August. It says the discounts for hospitals will be determined by how much of the drug they use. Also in industry news are several other articles examining drug-pricing questions and news about a forum sponsored by HHS dealing with concerns about rising costs.
Drugmakers Pfizer, Allergan Reportedly Agree To $150 Billion Merger
The deal for Pfizer to buy Allergan, which makes Botox, is one of the biggest takeovers in the health care sector.
Clinton Offers Tax Relief For People With High Medical Bills And For Family Caregivers
The Democratic presidential candidate proposes tax credits on health costs of up to $2,500 for an individual and $5,000 for a family and a tax credit for people taking care of family members worth up to $1,200.
Health Law Gives Young Adults Freedom To Make Job Decisions: Study
The ability to stay on a parent’s health care plan is giving millennials more career flexibility and time, according to a new study. But it is proving difficult to persuade young Americans to buy their own insurance, The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports. And in another gauge of public opinion, a new Gallup poll shows growing discontent with Obamacare.
Key Insurers On Health Law Exchanges Reaffirm Commitment To That Market
Despite the announcement by UnitedHealthcare on Thursday that it might leave the marketplaces set up by the health law, insurers Aetna, Anthem and Molina said they are meeting expections in their marketplace business.
