Latest KFF Health News Stories
Viewpoints: Don’t Look A Medicare ‘Gift Horse’ In The Mouth; Rising Obamacare Premiums
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
A selection of health policy stories from Georgia, Nebraska, Connecticut, Texas, Kansas, Iowa, California and Indiana.
Florida Officials Push To Remove Medicaid 30-Day Waiting Period
In other Medicaid news, West Virginia will switch its enrollees from a monthly enrollment card to an annual one — a step that is expected to lead to $2.5 million in savings. Also, a new study finds that New Jersey ranks last in the nation in terms of the doctors willing to treat Medicaid recipients.
Ariz. Gov. Signs Controversial Abortion Restrictions Bill
The measure requires that providers inform women that they can reverse the effects of drug-induced abortion. It also bars women from buying insurance via the federal health exchange that includes abortion coverage.
Delay Of Care Impacted Vet’s Life, Report Finds
A VA office’s assessment of an Indiana clinic that treated the 70-year old veteran found the man’s cancer should have been diagnosed sooner. The VA is also being urged to address the needs of the growing number of women veterans.
NIH Taps Top Doctors, Researchers And Business Leaders To Update U.S. Medical System
One of the first tasks for this group will be helping to create a 1 million person volunteer study, which is a big piece of the White House’s precision medicine initiative. In other news, the National Institute of Mental Health unveils its five-year strategic plan for research priorities.
Hospitals, Doctors Turn To Care Coordinators To Help Keep Older Patients Healthy
The coordinators help make sure patients get follow-up medical care and proper medications.
For The Health Sector, Monday Was Marked By Takeovers And Acquisitions
The Wall Street Journal reports that pharmaceutical companies showed that they remain willing to merge with other companies, as Teva Pharmaceuticals acquired Auspex Pharmaceuticals and Horizon Pharma announced that it would purchase Hyperion Therapeutics.
The nation’s largest insurer will acquire Catamaran Corp. for about $12.8 billion. Pharmacy benefit managers are viewed as a key element in efforts to negotiate the prescription drug prices paid by customers.
House-Passed Doc Fix Bill Offers Protections For Physicians Against Medical Malpractice Suits
The New York Times details some of the specifics of these protections. Meanwhile, The Hill reports on why the Senate left town without finishing work on the Medicare physician payment overhaul — thereby leaving doctor payments in limbo.
Medicaid Expansion Bill Clears Montana Senate But Faces Hurdles In House
In Tennessee, Gov. Bill Haslam urges fellow Republicans to look beyond ideological opposition to consider Medicaid expansion in that state, while Kansas’ rejection of the program is cited as a factor in the financial difficulties of several failing hospitals.
High Court Rejects Challenge To Health Law’s Cost-Cutting Panel
The case, Coons v. Lew, challenged the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act’s Independent Payment Advisory Board. This panel, which was sometimes called a death panel by its critics, was created to control Medicare costs. IPAB opponents vow to continue their efforts, eyeing a congressional repeal as another course of action.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Health Law ‘Checkup’; Reid’s Legacy; GOP’s ‘Useful’ Budget; Attempting To Fool Cancer
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
State Highlights: More States Advance ‘Right-To-Try’ Laws; N.Y.’s Out-Of-Network Protections Start
A selection of health policy stories from Indiana, California, South Carolina, New York, Connecticut, Missouri and Washington.
Indiana HIV Outbreak Forces Needle Exchange Debate
Increased intravenous drug use is spreading HIV and hepatits C, prompting officials to reconsider syringe exchanges in states like Indiana where they are illegal.
In Ariz., Hospitals See New Financial Challenges Despite Medicaid Expansion
Elsewhere, a bill in North Carolina could mean nonprofits lose much of their state tax refunds. News outlets also report on various hospital-related news developments in California.
Obama Administration Issues Plan To Fight Superbugs
President Barack Obama wants Congress to double funding to confront the challenge of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, a public health problem that sickens 2 million and kills 23,000 a year in the U.S.
Making Choices About How We Die
A movement to encourage end-of-life conversations among family and friends is gaining traction through The Conversation Project, a Boston-based nonprofit. Meanwhile, Kaiser Health News profiles two doctors who are part of a California lawsuit asking the court to protect physicians from liability if they prescribe lethal medications to patients who are terminally ill and mentally competent to decide their fate.
Insurers Lower AIDS Drug Costs After Discrimination Charges
Aetna, and its subsidiary Coventry Health Care, will lower the cost of HIV and AIDS drugs, which can cost as much as $1,500 a month now, under insurance plans sold on the exchanges. Patient advocate groups had argued the high prices violated the health law’s prohibition against insurers denying coverage to sick people or charging them more.
