Latest KFF Health News Stories
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.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: House Plans Would Hurt Health Law; Who Should Decide On Trans-Fat: Consumers Or FDA?
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
News outlets report on health care developments in Connecticut, Massachusetts, California, Mississippi, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, New Jersey, Texas, Pennsylvania and Alabama.
Va. Task Force Recommends Ways To Combat Growing Heroin And Rx Drug Abuse Problems
Meanwhile, fatal heroin overdoses are on the rise in the Seattle area.
Doctors, Patients Learning To Ask About Health Costs — Or Pay A Steep Price
With consumers shouldering a bigger share of their medical bills, some doctors are learning to talk about treatment options in ways that help patients manage costs. And Kaiser Health News tells the story of a woman who faced $19,000 in medical bills not covered by her employer’s “skinny” insurance plan as a result of misunderstandings and errors.
Walgreens Rolling Out Virtual Doctor Services In Five States With Plans To Expand In 20 More
The Associated Press reports on the benefits and drawbacks of telemedicine as pharmacies and insurers quickly expand such offerings. And CVS announced plans to sell more healthy foods and beauty items, as well as changes to some stores aimed at serving Hispanic shoppers.
California Regulator Warns Against Health Insurance Mega-Mergers
As the nation’s biggest health insurers look to consolidate, California’s elected insurance commissioner warns that consumers, employers and medical providers could be harmed by potential large mergers.
Surveys Suggest Doctors Have A Mixed View Of The Health Law
California Healthline examines polls that show how doctors’ opinions have evolved since the passage of the law. Also, CNBC reports on oversight issues concerning federal premium payments to insurers.
