Latest KFF Health News Stories
Google Health Care Investments Expand To Insurance Startup Oscar And Neuroscientist Hire
The Internet company is making a $32.5 million investment in Oscar Health Insurance Corp., a new company that wants to compete with established providers by using data and technology to modernize the insurance business. Google also hires the director of the National Institute of Mental Health to join a team researching mental illness.
Obama Picks Cardiologist Robert Califf As Nominee For FDA Commissioner
Califf joined the Food & Drug Administration as a deputy commissioner last February following years as a researcher and administrator at Duke University and was considered a likely candidate for the top job.
Reid, McConnell ‘On Same Page’ In Push To Prevent A Government Shutdown
Congress has just 15 days left in September to reach a budget agreement and avoid a temporary government shutdown. The process has become complicated by the Planned Parenthood controversy, which has triggered a flurry of activity of its own — including a House government oversight panel subpoena for unedited videos about Planned Parenthood’s provision of fetal tissue for research.
Obamacare High On List Of Targets For GOP Presidential Candidates
As Republican presidential hopefuls vie for the attention of dissatisfied voters, the health law is a talking point they frequently use on the campaign trail.
Insurance Co-Ops Set Up By Health Law Face Economic Challenges
Three of the 23 insurance startups have failed, despite initial funding from the federal government. Also in news about the health law, an examination of which states are getting the bulk of premium subsidies, the most recent auditor report on the problems that hobbled the launch of the healthcare.gov website, and a study looking at the penalties being levied on hospitals.
First Edition: September 16, 2015
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Republican Leaders Focus On Avoiding A Government Shutdown
In hopes of avoiding this outcome, Republican congressional leadership is trying to quiet conservative anger over Planned Parenthood funding and related abortion issues. Backers of John Boehner, R-Ohio, who faces discord within his caucus over these issues, say the House Speaker is being “blackmailed” by hard-liners into supporting a shutdown.
Study: Readmissions Penalties Felt Most By Hospitals Treating Sickest, Poorest Patients
Harvard Medical School researchers examined Medicare readmission rates and found variables such as patients’ education, income and ability to complete activities of daily living explain the difference between the hospitals with the best and worst rates.
Viewpoints: Don’t Wage ‘Stupid Fight’ On Budget; Protecting Small Businesses From Health Law
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Health care stories are reported from California, Kansas, Montana, Michigan, Oregon, and Massachusetts.
Judge Sets Thursday Hearing On Ark. Decision To Cut Off Medicaid Funding For Planned Parenthood
A federal judge has scheduled arguments for 2 p.m. Thursday regarding the reproductive health organization’s request for an injunction to prevent the state from terminating its Medicaid contract.
N.C.’s Compromise Spending Plan Includes Medicaid Reforms
The state budget blueprint would spend $225 million over two years to reshape the state-federal health insurance program for low-income people from a system that pays for every doctor’s visit and procedure into a per-person payment approach.
Ferguson Study Highlights Health Disparities As Part Of The Problem
The commission’s report said the racial divisions evident in St. Louis are rooted in social problems such as shortcomings in health care, housing and quality education.
Aspirin Can Protect Against Heart Attack, Stroke And Colon Cancer For Some Patients, Panel Says
A daily low-dose aspirin for people in their 50s, and some in their 60s, who have a 10 percent or greater chance of having a heart attack or stroke in the next 10 years benefit the most, according to draft guidelines from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
Breaking Down Ins and Outs Of The Conversion To ICD-10
Doctors, hospitals and health systems are worried the new medical coding system, with more than 100,000 new codes for medical procedures and conditions, will be too much trouble and not worth the improvements officials promise to the quality of care. The switch happens Oct. 1.
Bids To Manage Montana’s Medicaid Expansion Higher Than State Expected
Montana officials are looking to have a private company oversee the expansion. Also in state Medicaid news, advocates for expansion in Kansas hope that the recent closure of a hospital might help their cause, and safety net hospitals in Florida are warning that cutbacks caused by the lack of expansion will affect the cost of care.
Shoddy Oversight Led To Healthcare.gov Delays, Technical Issues And Cost Overruns, Audit Finds
The report identifies early failures by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services employees to monitor eight companies handling more than $600 million in contracts to build the site. Elsewhere, news outlets report on disappearing PPO options in Florida, rising insurance rates in Georgia and the impact of insurer mega-mergers on the cost and quality of care for consumers.
Universal Health Care High On Sanders’ Priority List
Campaign proposals from presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., include a government-run health care program that covers all Americans. News outlets also note his stances on women’s concerns, such as abortion rights and paid family and medical leave. This comes as Hillary Clinton, who is also campaigning to be the Democratic nominee, appears to be losing some of her support among women voters. On the GOP side of the ticket, Ohio Gov. John Kasich says he would repeal the parts of the health law he doesn’t like but keep some of the other provisions.
First Edition: September 15, 2015
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Scrutinizing GOP Health Plans, Drug Price Regulation And Insurance Mergers
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
