Latest KFF Health News Stories
Research Roundup: Medical Homes And Preventive Services; Medicaid Expansion Waivers
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
State Highlights: Calif. Supreme Court Rules State Must Disclose Mental Health Records
Also, other state health care stories from Wisconsin, Kansas, Florida and Iowa.
Ariz. Senate Approves Bill Blocking Abortion Coverage In Marketplace Plans
The bill would also place new reporting requirements on abortion clinics. Elsewhere, abortion makes news in Washington state and Pennsylvania.
Senators Ask Administration Not To Make Cuts To Medicare Advantage Plans
The letter comes as officials are nearing an announcement on rates for the program. Meanwhile, Humana announces that the Justice Department is looking into allegations that it overcharged the government in its Medicare programs.
Shortage Of Latino Doctors Is Hampering Health Efforts, Study Finds
The research suggests that correcting the imbalance could be key to addressing Latino health disparities. In another publication, The New England Journal of Medicine, two opinion pieces look at bias among physicians and its effect on black patients.
FDA OKs Genetic Tests For Rare Diseases
One company, 23andMe, had discontinued the test in late 2013 after the Food and Drug Administration warned it must be approved before marketing. Elsewhere, scrutiny pinches drug compounding companies and a sunscreen law awaits federal review.
Eat ‘Greener,’ Nutrition Panel Tells Americans
A panel of nutrition experts is advising Americans to consider the environment when choosing food. The panel also recommended Americans lower their sugar intake but would ease guidelines restricting cholesterol.
FDA Warns About Use Of Medical Scope Following Infection Outbreak In LA
The announcement tells doctors and hospitals that because the device is difficult to disinfect, it may spread dangerous infections, such as the bacteria responsible for killing two people at UCLA’s hospital.
N.C. Governor Won’t Decide On Medicaid Expansion Until After SCOTUS Rules
Republican Gov. Pat McCrory says he won’t make a recommendation on expanding the health program for poorer Americans until the Supreme Court rules on the legality of some subsidies. Elsewhere, Montana considers partial expansion of the program, and Utah’s debate continues.
Handful Of States Continuing Health Enrollment Efforts For Some Consumers
Many states — and the federal government — have extended the deadline for people who were in the process of enrolling but hadn’t finished by last Sunday. But in some areas, the extensions are even more generous. In addition, Illinois’ marketplace director resigns and Connecticut’s acting chief gets the job in his state.
Case Against Health Law Was Designed For Fast-Track To The Supreme Court
Reuters examines the legal strategy behind the case, while USA Today looks at the obstacles it faces. Other outlets report on aspects of the law’s implementation including the 2015 enrollment effort, congressional opposition and the argument that the law is driving employers to move more workers to part-time positions.
HHS Announces Special Enrollment Period For Uninsured Who Discover Penalties At Tax Time
The Friday announcement follows requests from advocacy groups who said many people will not realize the consequences of being uninsured in 2014 until they file their taxes — and by then they can’t sign up for 2015 coverage. A new study from the Urban Institute seeks to quantify the problem.
First Edition: February 20, 2015
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Health Law And Taxes; Effects Of Medicare’s Penalties; Maybe Science Is Fallible
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Longer Looks: Control Of IVF; Doctors And Electronic Records; Writing About Patients
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
New Prescription Drug Rules Hampering Veterans’ Access To Painkillers
DEA regulations sought to cut down abuse of powerful opioids, but they have complicated efforts by veterans with serious war injuries to get relief from pain.
State Highlights: Mandatory Vaccines Not Unprecedented; Miss. Abortion Ruling; Vt. Health Costs
A selection of health policy stories from Mississippi, Connecticut, Vermont and Arizona.
Ill. Gov. Seeks Billions In Cuts, Including Sharp Reductions In Medicaid, Health Programs
The budget proposal from Bruce Rauner, Illinois’ new Republican governor, would trim $1.5 billion from the state’s Medicaid program. In Connecticut, Gov. Dannel Malloy, a Democrat, also is proposing cuts that would affect hospitals and mental health care providers.
U.S. Health Spending Again Growing Faster, Data Suggest
After five years of historically slow growth, an Altarum Institute analysis based on preliminary government data shows that health spending increased by 5 percent last year. Meanwhile, Modern Healthcare reports that prices paid to acute-care hospitals declined in January compared with the same month a year ago. And The New York Times reports on a study that found three eye drugs, ranging in price from $50 to $1950 a dose, are equally effective in most cases.
Scientists Report Blocking HIV In Animal Studies, Sparking Vaccine Hopes
The study of an engineered molecule may provide an avenue for an HIV vaccine in the future, researchers report.
