Latest KFF Health News Stories
Viewpoints: Kansas And Abortion; Stop Missouri’s Move To Medicaid Managed Care
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
News outlets cover health care issues in California, Pennsylvania, Idaho, Kentucky, Kansas, Arizona, Oklahoma, Vermont, New York and Alaska.
Heart Disease-Testing Labs To Pay $48.5M To Settle Claims
Health Diagnostics Laboratory and Singulex have agreed to pay at least $47 million and $1.5 million respectively to settle Justice Department allegations they paid doctors kickbacks and conducted unnecessary testing. Neither admitted liability.
Electronic Health Record Vendors Criticized For Making Information Sharing Difficult
A report by the Obama administration lists complaints about the systems used and fees charged by companies to store and share digital health records. In other agency news, the Food and Drug Administration is set to expedite medical device reviews in cases of life-threatening conditions. And at NIH, researchers say that oversight paperwork is getting in the way of their work.
GOP Negotiators Return From Recess Early To Work On Budget
Addressing domestic spending issues and reshaping Medicare are high on their to-do list. In other news from Capitol Hill, some Senate conservatives are not quite ready to give full backing to the pending Medicare “doc fix” plan.
Study: Divide Over Health Law Triggers Disparities In Access To Care, Ability To Pay Medical Bills
The Commonwealth Fund examined the nation’s four most-populous states and found that people who live in Texas and Florida, both of which have opposed Obamacare, report more difficulties than residents of California and New York, which both guarantee coverage within the state.
Insurers Invited To Submit Two Sets Of Rates Amid Uncertainty Over Subsidies
Media outlets explore the ramifications of a Supreme Court decision in King v. Burwell in various states. Meanwhile, Massachusetts consumers continue to encounter problems signing up for coverage and a study deems the federal exchange more efficient than state exchanges.
After Procedural Play, Montana Medicaid Expansion Gets Initial House Approval
In Montana, a plan to expand the low-income health insurance program gained an initial green light from the state House of Representatives. Meanwhille, Ohio Gov. John Kasich, a Republican, remains hopeful about his state’s prospects to continue the expanded Medicaid. And news outlets also provide the latest on the expansion issue in Kansas and Florida.
Research Roundup: Young Adult Coverage; Alternatives To Subsidies; Critical Care Hospitals
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: ‘Medicaid Shenanigans’ In Florida; The Need For Better Food Safety
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Longer Looks: Paying For Performance; Free Clinics; Brain Testing
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
News outlets offer articles on health care issues from Washington, D.C., California, Missouri, Connecticut, New York, Oregon, Florida, Georgia and Kansas.
Calif. Senate Panel Approves Bill To Beef Up Vaccine Requirements
The bill, which spurred emotional opposition, would end parents’ ability to get vaccine waivers for their kids based on personal beliefs.
Spate Of New, Restrictive Laws Causing Concern For Abortion Rights Advocates
Laws that tighten access to abortion have been enacted in Arkansas, Arizona and Kansas. Meanwhile, another such proposal is moving through the Oklahoma state house.
VA Has Made Little Progress In Reducing Wait Times
The Associated Press reports that since the summer, the number of vets waiting more than 30 or 60 days for non-emergency care has basically remained steady, and the number of medical appointments that take longer than 90 days to complete has nearly doubled.
Pressure From Industry, Lawmakers Protects Medicare Advantage Rates
The Obama administration has repeatedly backed away from proposed rate cuts as a result of the outcry from insurers and lawmakers of both parties. Nonetheless, DaVita HealthCare Partners warns investors that new risk calculation scores will hurt the company’s bottom line.
Gilead’s Pricey Hep C Drug Drives State Medicaid Spending
In other marketplace news, Rite Aid’s prescription sales help the corporation beat profit estimates. Meanwhile, John Hancock Financial announces a new program to offer discounts to policyholders who wear wireless fitness trackers.
Balanced Budget, Abortion Dominate Paul Campaign’s First Day
As Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., kicks off his presidential candidacy, The Associated Press fact-checks his balanced budget plan. And the Kentucky Republican dodged questions about whether he supports abortion exceptions in cases of rape or when the mother’s life is at risk.
Rep. Lois Capps To Retire After 10 Terms In House
The California Democrat is a former nurse who has often championed health care issues like grants for children’s dental care, improving mental health services and expanding nursing training. Capps was elected in a 1998 special election to replace her late husband, Walter, who died from a heart attack.
