Latest KFF Health News Stories
Research Roundup: Retail Clinics; Medicaid And Access To Doctors; Mental Health Coverage
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Health care stories are reported from California, Ohio, Illinois, Florida, Arizona, Georgia, Washington, Iowa, Colorado, Nebraska and Massachusetts.
Jeb Bush Defends Campaign Trail Comments On Medicare
At a Wednesday forum, the GOP presidential hopeful made statements about phasing out Medicare. On Thursday, he defended his comments, saying they were taken out of context and that a “grown-up” conversation is needed regarding Medicare and budget issues.
Congress May Act Soon To Shore Up VA Budget With $3B Injection, VA Secretary McDonald Says
The Department of Veteran Affairs’ $2.5 billion budget shortfall has raised the risk of some VA hospitals closing as well as employee furloughs. The beleaguered agency has also made little progress decreasing vets’ wait times for health care or in hiring for 41,500 open medical positions.
Activists increasingly believe the goal of cutting off federal support for the organization is now achievable. The related outrage has spread from the halls of Congress, where members are calling for investigations, to the campaign trail and to some state houses.
Many Taxpayers Overpaid Obamacare Penalty, Report Finds
CBS News reports that more than 300,000 Americans overpaid the IRS on the Individual Shared Responsibility Payment, according to a report by the National Taxpayer Advocate. Meanwhile, the Colorado nuns who have been challenging the Obama administration on the health law’s birth control mandate announced they will appeal the most recent ruling to the Supreme Court.
Cancer Drug Costs Skyrocket, Create Tension Between Doctors, Drug Makers
IMS Health, which tracks the market, estimates an increase in 2014 costs of about 10.3 percent. Meanwhile, some physicians are developing a database to score cancer medicines based on how they will work and how much they cost.
The Deal Is Done! Anthem To Buy Cigna In Latest Health Insurance Merger Deal
Anthem’s acquisition of Cigna will create the health insurance industry’s biggest company by enrollment and shrink the number of major players in the sector.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Contrasts In Medicaid Expansion Affect Public Hospitals’ Bottom Lines
Reuters compares how hospitals are faring in states that opted to expand the program for low-income residents with those in states that are resisting the option.
Viewpoints: Social Security Disability Funding Fix Needed; Effect Of Alaska Medicaid Decision
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Longer Looks: Rising Maternal Mortality; Autistic Adults’ Pride; Drug Costs And The Trade Deal
Each week KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Health care stories are reported from Minnesota, Georgia, Kansas, California, North Carolina, Washington, Michigan, North Dakota, Virginia and Montana.
Clinical Trials For New Alzheimer’s Drugs Show Some Progress Toward Slowing Disease
The results were presented at an Alzheimer’s conference this week, but some researchers caution against raising hopes to high on early data that show incremental gains.
GOP lawmakers are calling for an investigation into the organization’s activities and for its federal funding to be revoked. And, even as Planned Parenthood attempts damage control, the controversy is touching various legislative proposals.
Top Oncologists Push Back On ‘Outrageous’ Costs Of Cancer Drugs
More than 110 doctors from cancer centers around the country called on drug makers to justify their soaring prices and for the government to put regulatory curbs in place. They noted that every new drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2014 was priced at more than $120,000 per year.
Anthem Closing In On Deal To Buy Cigna, Reports Say
As these two major insurers close in on a $48.8 billion deal, news outlets examine the impact the takeover might have on the insurance marketplace.
HHS Pushes States To Work To Keep Health Exchange Plans Affordable
The Department of Health and Human Services is, behind the scenes, encouraging states to negotiate lower rates on these plans. Meanwhile, The Hill reports that small business owners are lobbying this week to roll back a specific health Obamacare rule.
Medicare Trustees: Program’s Trust Fund Will Be Solvent Until 2030
But the annual report card issued Wednesday by the trustees of Medicare and Social Security also offers concerns — highlighting the fiscal challenges ahead for the Social Security disability program unless Congress intervenes.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
