Latest KFF Health News Stories
Viewpoints: Requiem For The Medicare Doc Fix; Health Law Aids Christie Plan; More Work At VA
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
News outlets offer articles on health care issues from Michigan, Georgia, Wisconsin, Kansas, North Carolina, Connecticut, California and Massachusetts.
Tobacco Companies Sue FDA Over Labeling Rule
The biggest U.S. tobacco companies argue in legal papers filed Tuesday that the agency has overstepped its authority with new guidelines requiring them to submit labels for cigarettes and other tobacco products for prior approval.
Christie Calls For Raising Retirement Age, Overhauling Entitlements
Saying the “American people have the appetite for hard truths,” presidential aspirant and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie proposed scaling back Social Security and Medicare for affluent seniors and raising the eligibility age for both programs.
Cancer, Diabetes Drugs Drive Johnson & Johnson Profits
The world’s biggest producer of health-care treatments reported quarterly earnings that topped analysts’ estimates. Meanwhile, federal investigators say they will probe the impact of generic drug price increases on the Medicaid drug rebate program.
Data Breaches Affected 29 Million Medical Records
And nearly 60 percent of those breaches between 2010 and 2013 were because of theft, a new report in the Journal of the American Medical Association reports.
Sen. Johnson Loses Appeal Of Health Law’s Coverage Rule For Congress
The court upheld a lower court ruling that Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson, a Republican, lacks legal standing to challenge a provision of the federal health law that requires members of Congress and their staffs to get health coverage through online insurance exchanges.
Feds Add New Pressure To Push Florida Toward Medicaid Expansion
Meanwhile, political hijinx continue in the aftermath of the Montana legislature’s approval of a plan to expand the health insurance program for those with lower incomes. News outlets also report on Medicaid expansion developments in New Jersey.
Filer Beware: Health Law Tax Issues Trip Up Many
Insurance subsidy paybacks and special reporting requirements are confusing many consumers as tax day dawns. Elsewhere, a tax on high-value health coverage could be more than anticipated.
Medicare Fraud Charges Filed Against Florida Doctor Linked To Indicted Senator
Ophthalmologist Salomon Melgen faces 76 counts of health-care fraud and related offenses, the Miami U.S. attorney announced. Campaign contributions and gifts from the Florida doctor are at the center of the federal corruption case against Sen. Robert Menendez.
Democrats Look To Force GOP Into Tougher Budget Votes
Democrats will seek, in the context of budget consideration, to force votes on minimum wage, sick leave and privatizing Medicare. In the meantime, some House legislators worry over whistleblower retaliation in in the VA health care system.
Senate Approves Bill To Change The Way Medicare Pays Doctors
The measure, which had bipartisan support and is expected to be signed by President Barack Obama, immediately lifts the threat of a scheduled 21 percent cut in Medicare physician reimbursements, repeals the Sustainable Growth Rate formula and replaces it with a new one on which doctor payments will be based.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
News outlets offer articles on health care issues from Massachusetts, Montana, D.C., Maryland and California.
In other state Medicaid news, Connecticut’s Medicaid audit processes draw criticism and lawmakers’ scrutiny; North Carolina’s audit finds $350 million in liabilities and a financial examination in Missouri finds the state owes the federal government $34 million.
‘Astounding Price Tag’ For VA Hospitals, And Costs Still Rising
A $1.7 billion hospital being built in Colorado is just one of several Veterans Affairs construction projects that are far over budget and behind schedule, according to the Government Accountability Office. Meanwhile, VA continues to be flooded with reports from whistleblowers and there are concerns that children of military families are missing important vaccines.
Maker Of Alzheimer’s Drug Defends Switch To Tablet-A-Day Version
A lawyer for the manufacturer of Namenda argued the single-dose version of the drug is an improvement and urged the appeals court to allow it to proceed. Meanwhile, the FDA warns consumers not to use a muscle growth supplement tied to liver injury.
IBM To Work With Apple, J&J and Medtronic To Analyze Health Data
IBM unveiled the partnerships, as well as the acquisition of two medical data software companies, as part of a business unit expected to create new apps for patients and providers. Meanwhile, recent data breaches targeting insurers and providers are spurring fear and confusion among consumers.
Some Consumers Favor Narrow Networks If It Costs Less
The New York Times reports that many appear willing to trade a choice of providers for savings, with nearly half of the plans offered through the health law’s online exchanges having limited networks and more employers embracing these plans as well. Meanwhile, as the deadline for filing federal taxes approaches, news outlets continue to cover how many people may be surprised to face penalties.
