Latest KFF Health News Stories
Lawmakers Grill Officials Over Plans For New Dietary Guidelines
The administration announces that it will not take food products’ impact on the environment into account when setting the guidelines this year, but members of Congress continue to press about the policy.
First Edition: October 8, 2015
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Make Mental Health Issues A Public Health Mission; GOP And Planned Parenthood
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
State Highlights: Nev. Settles Case About Patient Dumping; Pa. Mandates Improved Mammograms
News outlets report on health issues in California, the District of Columbia, Florida, Kansas, Nevada, Ohio and Pennsylvania.
Seniors Switch To Traditional Medicare Plans When More Serious Conditions Hit, Study Shows
In other Medicare news, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court hears the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s appeal regarding in-network rates. Also, open enrollment begins Oct. 15, the GAO wants tougher Medicare Advantage oversight and beneficiaries face hurdles to getting hearing aids.
Using Hip-Hop To Grab Teens’ Attention: FDA Launches New Anti-Smoking Campaign
The agency says it’s critical to find creative ways to target young people, especially in minority groups who traditionally have been at higher risk of becoming addicted to cigarettes.
C-Section Rates Vary Widely Among States And Individual Hospitals, Study Shows
In Florida, a health safety group is warning that South Florida hospitals perform too many C-sections, with some area hospitals reporting that the procedure is used for more than half of all deliveries. In other reproductive health news, another study finds that more women are being offered IUDs right after delivery.
Are Dietary Guidelines Discouraging Whole Milk Wrong? Researchers Evaluate Health Benefits
Meanwhile, schools struggle to get students to eat healthier food, and lobbying is underway to influence the next round of U.S. dietary recommendations.
Planned Parenthood Wants Class-Action Status In Fight Against Arkansas’ Defunding Efforts
The reproductive health organization asked a federal judge to expand a ruling that temporarily blocks Arkansas from stopping payments to three women to cover a larger group of potential plaintiffs. In related legal news, a judge rules that anti-abortion activists can turn over their Planned Parenthood video tapes to Congress, and Arkansas urges the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade.
Opponents Of Calif.’s Assisted Suicide Law Seek Referendum To Overturn It
The groups are launching a campaign to get a referendum, but it could be an uphill battle. Also, news outlets examine how the California law will impact other states considering similar legislation and seek to answer consumer questions about how this would work.
Health Care Stocks Weigh Down U.S. Markets
Among the shares dropping are those in the biotech sector, which may be headed for its worst loss since 2011. Investors are worried over drug prices as disappointing earnings news also affects the stocks’ value.
Study Finds Dramatic Differences In Prices For Health Care Services
The differentials extend across the country and within metropolitan areas, researchers reported.
Key Pharmacy Benefits Manager Will Offer Two Expensive Cholesterol Drugs To Some Patients
Express Scripts says it will add both of the new cholesterol-lowering drugs to its list of covered drugs, but it will closely adhere to federal guidelines about who should get the medicines.
Clinton’s Health Plan Takes On Issues Of Obamacare Affordability
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Times looks at how a new phase in the health care debate could impact the 2016 elections while NPR reports on an algorithm that could help campaigns identify politically persuasive language, like “pre-existing” and “mandate,” that strike a chord with voters.
Reactions Mixed On Utah’s Medicaid Expansion Plan At First Public Hearing
Meanwhile in Kansas, a local hospital renews debate over Medicaid expansion.
HHS Is Upgrading Healthcare.gov’s Window Shopping Option For Insurance
The ability to quickly browse plans is popular with consumers and needed some repair, The Associated Press reports. At the same time, Politico Pro looks at Republican lawmakers’ strategy on the Cadillac tax.
First Edition: October 7, 2015
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Calif. Governor And Right-To-Die Bill; Cadillac Tax’s Impact; School Lunches
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Health care stories are reported from New York, the District of Columbia, Virginia, California, Maryland, Kansas, Illinois and Florida.
Wait Times Increase Since Texas Abortion Restrictions Added, Study Finds
Those abortion restrictions have faced legal challenges, and the Supreme Court will decide next whether to hear the case. Elsewhere, Arkansas will challenge a judge’s ruling that blocks the state from suspending Planned Parenthood funding. And an Ohio senator is pressured to act on an anti-abortion bill.
