Latest KFF Health News Stories
Hep C Infection Rates Soaring In Appalachia
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the increase is related to injectable prescription pain killer abuse. Meanwhile, in Indiana, officials hope an HIV outbreak also connected to needle sharing and drug abuse may be coming under control. CQ Healthbeat reports that recent public health concerns have led GOP lawmakers who generally have opposed needle-exchange programs to rethink their positions.
Drugmaker Sues FDA Over Right To Promote Off-Label Drug Use
The federal government has frowned on off-label drug discussions and, in some cases, fined drug companies engaging in the practice. News outlets report the lawsuit could have broad implications for the pharmaceutical industry. In other news, the California Supreme Court has revived a class-action suit regarding a pay-to-delay strategy by pharmaceutical giant Bayer.
Hospitals In 7 States Pay Nearly $15.7M To Settle Psychiatric Billing Claims
The payments were to settle Justice Department allegations that the providers billed Medicare for psychiatric services that were not medically necessary. And an analysis finds that more than half of Medicare payments are still tied to the volume of services delivered rather than to their value.
Success Of One Pilot ACO Program That Saved Medicare Millions May Be Hard To Replicate
Meanwhile, providers offering insurance on Connecticut’s exchange want to raise next year’s rates by as much as 14 percent. And the Associated Press reports that Massachusetts has been subpoenaed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Boston for records related to its health exchange. It is unknown what the Justice Department is investigating.
Red States That Expanded Medicaid Now Seeking Changes In The Program
The requests will test the Obama administration’s flexibility. Also, Alaska lawmakers are in special session but so far not making any headway on Medicaid expansion. Florida’s governor is asking a court for an injunction to stop federal officials from linking the state’s refusal to expand Medicaid with lower funding for hospitals that serve low-income patients.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: GOP’s Need For A Subsidy Strategy; Sick Pay Fight In Pa.
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Longer Looks: Atul Gawande On Overtreatment; Computer-Generated Kidney Swaps
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
News outlets examine health care issues in Kansas, Massachusetts, California, Pennsylvania, Montana, Missouri, Minnesota, Texas and Ohio.
Progress Emerging In Efforts To Settle Ohio Lawsuit Over Dropped Medicaid Recipients
In other state Medicaid news, the federal government is urging the Supreme Court to reject a request from Maine’s governor to allow the elimination of Medicaid coverage for thousands of young adults. In Missouri, Gov. Jay Nixon faces a deadline regarding whether he will OK an expansion of managed care within the insurance program for low-income people to become law. And Maryland’s governor must make more budget decisions, including whether to fund some health care initiatives.
Study: Hospice Care Doesn’t Bring Down Medicare Costs
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine raises questions about some of the conventional wisdom surrounding hospice care.
DeSalvo Nominated To Be HHS Assistant Secretary For Health
Karen DeSalvo has been the acting assistant secretary for health since October 2014. Also, in advance of expected regulations from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the nursing home industry will announce plans to expand its quality improvement initiative.
Senators Introduce Bipartisan Bill To Create ‘National Nurse’ Position
The “national nurse” would be charged with public education campaigns aimed at reducing obesity and heart disease, among other diseases. In the House, meanwhile, a bill is introduced to require researchers to study female animals and cells as well as male ones so that treatments reflect gender differences. And a proposed delay in the switch to the ICD-10 medical billing code pits doctors against hospitals.
GlaxoSmithKline Cancels Plans To Sell Stake In HIV Business
Also making news in the health care marketplace: Alexion Pharmaceuticals agrees to pay $8.4 billion, twice market value, for Synageva BioPharma Corp. And WellCare Health Plans Inc. beats profit estimates with earnings of $17.5 million, due in part to a 25.8 percent jump in Medicaid membership.
Johnson & Johnson To Use Ethicists To Screen Patients’ Early Access Requests
The drugmaker is creating an independent panel to respond to the growing number of terminally ill patients who have sought to obtain drugs still in the testing phase that show promise for treating their diseases.
Fla. Gov. Meets With HHS Chief But Fails To Secure Hospital Funding
The state is asking the federal government to continue providing $1 billion for hospitals that provide care to many low-income patients, but the Obama administration says expanding Medicaid is a better solution.
Nearly 17 Million Americans Gained Coverage Through Health Law, Study Shows
In the last year and a half since the Affordable Care Act was implemented, gains have been made across all types of insurance, from employer-provided health plans to Medicaid, according to a new report. The analysis tallied 22.8 million newly insured and 5.9 million who lost coverage.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Huckabee Wrong On Entitlements; Va.’s Shift On Abortion; Solving ER Crowding
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
News outlets examine health care issues in Indiana, California, Nevada, Colorado and New York,
