Latest KFF Health News Stories
Consumers Will Soon Be Able To Order Lab Tests Without A Doctor
Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings will let customers go online to pay for tests, visit a service center to have blood drawn, then view the results online. And MediBid helps patients find less costly, cash prices for medical procedures by getting bids from providers.
Medicare Cards Will No Longer Show Social Security Numbers
Social Security numbers will not be imprinted on Medicare cards for much longer. Government watchdogs have long advocated for the change based on growing identity theft concerns.
Entitlement Spending, Medicare Policies, Health Law Issues Emerge As Hot Topics On Campaign Trail
News outlets report on major issues that are emerging as hot topics in these early days of the 2016 presidential primary campaign.
Feds Seek To Push Texas Toward Expanding Medicaid
Meanwhile, in Missouri, lawmakers will not expand Medicaid, but they are pursuing changes to the existing program, including greater policing of eligibility and encouraging use of telemedicine.
Next President Will Have New Tool To Change Health Law Without Congress
Whoever succeeds Barack Obama will be able to use the health law’s innovation waivers, slated to take effect in 2017, to grant states greater flexibility to design their own health care systems without the need for congressional approval. Meanwhile, Politico tracks the multiple lawsuits challenging aspects of the Affordable Care Act.
House, Senate Negotiators Focus On Hammering Out A GOP Budget Blueprint
As negotiators reconcile Senate- and House-passed budgets, health programs like Medicare and Medicaid are expected to be at the top of the agenda. Republicans are also debating whether to use the fast-track budget process to try to repeal the health law.
For Republicans, intraparty divisions continue over efforts to repeal the health law, with many focusing on other issues. Meanwhile, GOP lawmakers are also eyeing tax credits as a potential health law alternative if the Supreme Court overturns a key part of the law in the King v. Burwell case: the subsidies.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: ‘Passing The Buck’ On Medicaid; Sharing Patient Records; Rick Scott’s Lawsuit
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Research Roundup: Staying ‘Mentally Sharp’; Meeting The Potential Of ACOs; Drug Shortages
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
News outlets cover health care issues in Iowa, Texas, New York, California, Connecticut, Missouri, Minnesota, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Maryland and Kansas.
Some Worry Trade Deal Will Make It Harder To Bring Generic Drugs To Market
Patient advocate groups and some pharmaceutical firms are watching a trade deal closely to see how its provisions could impact big drug makers’ ability to block generic versions of blockbuster drugs. Elsewhere, the Food and Drug Administration approves a generic version of a popular multiple sclerosis drug.
UnitedHealth Reports 29% Increase In Earnings Last Quarter, Share Values Soar
The largest health insurer in the U.S. raised its 2015 forecast after experiencing lower medical costs and diversifying its business beyond insurance.
McConnell Says GOP Will Use Spending Bills To Extract Policy Concessions
The Senate’s majority leader says his party is eager to cut back on government regulations. Also, Sen. Harry Reid, the Democratic leader, pledges to fight hard to get past the abortion debate to a vote on Loretta Lynch’s nomination for attorney general.
Veterans’ Children Struggle To Handle The Wounds Of War
The Washington Post examines how families work to restore normal lives after veterans return from Iraq and Afghanistan.
E-Cigarette And Hookah Use By Teens Sharply Increases
While traditional smoking rates are declining, the number of high school students who used e-cigarettes or water pipes jumped to 13 percent, according to a CDC report. About one in four teens use some form of tobacco product.
Few Hospitals Get Five Stars For Patient Satisfaction
National and regional media outlets analyze the newly released star ratings for hospitals based on patient satisfaction surveys.
Obama Signs ‘Doc Fix’ Bill Overhauling How Medicare Pays Doctors
The signing brings to an end years of last-minute fixes and contentious debate over how Medicare pays doctors while also tying doctors’ compensation to the quality of care they provide. The law also continues funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program for two years.
Government OKs Financial Incentives, Penalties For Workplace Wellness Programs
In a victory for business groups, federal regulators proposed new rules for workplace wellness programs that would allow employers to use significant financial incentives to push workers to participate. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission also proposed safeguards for employees, but consumer advocates say they don’t go far enough.
Study Shows Steep Drop In Uninsured In Medicaid Expansion States
Also, news outlets examine efforts in Utah and Alaska to implement Medicaid expansions, while in Minnesota advocates are worried about GOP plans to cut back a health program that also serves low-income residents. And Politico checks in on a program championed in Florida by Marco Rubio to help expand insurance coverage.
