Latest KFF Health News Stories
Newly Released Emails Shine Light On Jonathan Gruber’s Role In Health Law
The emails, obtained by the House Oversight Committee and given to The Wall Street Journal, show that the MIT economist talked regularly to top federal and White House officials as the law was being drafted.
California’s Exchange Launches Massive Collection Of Patient Data
Covered California says the data-mining effort is essential to measure the quality of care received by the 1.4 million people enrolled on the state’s health insurance marketplace, but the operation raises patient privacy questions.
CBO: Repealing Obamacare Would Boost Deficit, Number Of Uninsured
If Republicans succeed in repealing the 2010 health care law, it would add significantly to the deficit even using the budget accounting method favored by Republicans, according to projections by the Congressional Budget Office.
State Republican Leaders Ask Congress To Offer Possible Plan To Salvage Subsidies
The officials are concerned that the Supreme Court may strike down the health law subsidies to help consumers pay for their premiums in states that are using the federal online insurance marketplace. Those concerns are also spurring other state actions and talks about possible moves on Capitol Hill.
Insurers, Health Providers Anxious About Decision On Health Law Subsidies
The Wall Street Journal reports that some people are making medical appointments now in anticipation of a ruling that could end their health coverage. Also bracing for the ruling, hospitals would explore ways to increase charity care if subsidies end for millions, while insurers might reexamine their participation in some markets. Business Insider, meanwhile, looks at the two men who will likely decide the law’s fate — Justices Anthony Kennedy and Chief Justice John Roberts.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Conservative Health Policy; GOP’s Budget Plan; Medicare Spending At End Of Life
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Research Roundup: Hospitals’ Tax Status; States’ Influence On ACA Views; Wellness Programs
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Longer Looks: Revival Of The Midwife; From The Streets To The O.R.
Each week, KHN’s Alana Pockros finds interesting reads from around the Web.
News outlets report on health care developments in Colorado, Iowa, Massachusetts, California, Indiana, Kentucky, Connecticut and Tennessee.
VA Criticized For Plans To Limit Costly Hep C Drugs To Some Veterans
The plan, which includes outsourcing treatment to private doctors and setting criteria to decide who gets expensive new drugs, is intended to address a surge in cases and depletion of funds, reports the Arizona Republic. On the campaign trail, meanwhile, candidate Hillary Clinton spoke out against the blanket privatization of VA health care, but said that veterans need more choices. And the U.S. agreed to provide disability benefits to as many as 2,100 Vietnam vets exposed to Agent Orange who were previously deemed ineligible.
The Dallas-based telemedicine pioneer said in a securities filing Thursday that it plans to raise up to $136.9 million in its initial public offering. Meanwhile, Charlotte-based Premier introduces a reimbursement tracking tool and Heartland Health Monitor explores both the promise and perplexities of a new stroke prevention tool.
Health Industry Watching For Insurance Mergers
Politico Pro reports that conditions are ripe for merger mania. Also, in health industry news, The Wall Street Journal examines the possible effects of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact on consumers’ health.
UAW Wants To Pool Health Care For Union, Non-Union Auto Workers
The move, which would incorporate nearly a million employees and UAW retirees at Detroit’s Big Three automakers, is aimed at leveraging size to win cost savings from medical providers and drug companies.
Insurance Plans On Oregon Marketplace Seek Significant Premium Increases
Under the increases announced by state insurance officials, the premium for the lowest-priced silver plan would go up $49 a month. Also in the news, federal officials said they will raise the reinsurance payments set up under the health law to protect health insurers from excessive medical costs.
Insurers’ Growing Market Hinged To High Court’s King V. Burwell Decision
But the Supreme Court ruling will also have a personal impact on those living in states that chose not to establish online insurance marketplaces and who have used insurance subsidies to purchase coverage through healthcare.gov.
Despite Veto Threat, House Approves Bill To Repeal Health Law’s Medical Device Tax
Repealing this tax would add more than $24 billion to the deficit over the next 10 years, and the bill’s backers have not yet offered a way to offset this cost.
Medicare House Calls Save $25M In Three Years
A program, Medicare’s Independent at Home demonstration project, served more than 8,000 seniors with multiple chronic conditions — often the most expensive patients. Elsewhere, an expert says Medicare preventive care could be more useful for people when they’re 50 than when they’re 65.
Health Providers Across The Country Are Caught In The Strike Force’s Dragnet
News outlets detail how the national health care fraud and abuse sweep played out locally — with reports from Illinois, Texas, Ohio and Michigan listing some of the specifics about fraudulent claims and related questionable health care business operations.
Feds Charge More Than 200 People In Nationwide Health Care Fraud Sweep
The dragnet led to criminal charges against 243 people, including 46 doctors, nurses and other health professionals. The combined tally of alleged fraudulent billings uncovered in the investigation totals an estimated $712 million.
