Latest KFF Health News Stories
N.C. Man’s Saga Shows Continuing Coverage Gaps
The Charlotte Observer looks into the story of a man who quit his job and, therefore, no longer qualified for a federal insurance subsidy in North Carolina — just before he became ill with a potentially deadly intestinal infection. Meanwhile, Politico Pro reports how some states are seeking to shield mid-size companies from Obamacare requirements and The Financial Times reports on a study about the administrative costs associated with the expansion in insurance coverage.
Fla. Governor Hints At Veto If Lawmakers Pass Senate Compromise To Expand Medicaid
Also, new details on Gov. Rick Scott’s plan to find money for hospitals and end the state’s budget impasse suggest it would cut overall reimbursements to hospitals. The lobbying on the issue continues to grow in the state.
Judge Considers Bid To Dismiss House GOP Case Against Obama Administration And The Health Law
House Republicans filed suit alleging that the Obama administration has overstepped its Constitutional bounds. The administration, in turn, filed a motion to dismiss the case and argued in part that if the lawmakers don’t like the law they should work to change it in Congress.
Congressional Proposal To Streamline FDA Approvals Worries Consumer Advocates
As the House moves forward with the “21st Century Cures” bill, some warn that its provision allowing “clinical experience” over randomized controlled trials could lead to lower standards when approving new uses for existing drugs. Other outlets report on more pharma news, including lessons learned from an international drug pricing study and examples of insurers and drug companies teaming up to reduce sticker shock on new speciality drugs.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: GOP Wrestles With Court Response; Mental Health And Poverty; Need For Nurses
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Longer Looks: Abortion Waiting Periods Drive Up Costs; The Backstory Of King V. Burwell
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
News outlets report on health issues from New York, Ohio, California, Florida, Wisconsin, Michigan, Colorado and Illinois.
Appeals Court Sides With Doctors Who Challenged An Arksansas Abortion Ban
Also in the news from the states related to abortion and contraception news, the Alabama House approves new abortion-clinic regulations, a North Carolina Senate panel OKs a 72-hour waiting period for abortions and Wis. Gov. Scott Walker defends mandatory ultrasounds. Meanwhile, in Oregon, a Senate committee advanced legislation requiring private insurers to cover up to 12 months of birth control at a time.
Patients, Family Members Turn Into Entrepreneurs, Activists
The Washington Post writes about the challenges of a man with early-onset dementia who has become an advocate for greater government support for research into Alzheimer’s disease, and also about a woman who invented a clothing line for people who struggle with fine motor skills like her husband.
HIV Patients Should Be Treated Upon Diagnosis, Study Finds
People with the virus that causes AIDS should be put on antiretroviral drugs as soon as they learn they are infected, federal health officials said Wednesday. They put a halt to a clinical trial of early treatment more than a year early because they said the advantages were so evident.
Kasich Defends Ohio’s Medicaid Expansion, Decries Obamacare
In a CNN interview, the Ohio governor and GOP presidential hopeful said that bringing more federal money to Ohio to cover health care for the poor was a separate matter from supporting the federal health law — which Kasich would repeal. And as Rick Santorum joins the crowded field of GOP presidential contenders, The Associated Press looks at the former Pennsylvania senator’s positions.
Medicare Nurse Training Pilot Program Shows Promise
According to Politico Pro, advocates view this program as a means to help ease the nation’s physician shortage. Meanwhile, The Associated Press reports that an AARP study concluded generic drug prices are on the rise.
Blue Cross And Blue Shield Face Major Lawsuits Over Operations
The antitrust lawsuits allege that the 37 independently owned companies are functioning as an illegal cartel. Also in the news, the Japanese company that manufactures the endoscopes linked to a superbug outbreak is getting ready to settle an investigation into its product marketing.
White House Assails Fla. House Republicans’ Opposition To Expanding Medicaid
The subject of expansion remains a hot topic as legislators prepare to try to find a budget compromise when they meet in special session next week. The issue is being watched closely by other states that also have not expanded the low-income health insurance program.
Supporters Of Subsidy Challenge Could Win Case But Lose Politically
If Republican backers of the challenge are successful, they will come under pressure to help the millions of Americans who would lose their federal subsidies and their coverage, reports The Associated Press. But Democrats could also face political consequences, if the administration prevails with the court.
Mid-Sized Businesses Seek Relief From Health Law Provision They Say Will Increase Costs
The Wall Street Journal reports that employer groups and insurers are pushing to keep these employers exempt from the health law’s requirements — scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, 2016 — regarding what health plans must cover and how they are priced. The Journal also offers new takes on the so-called Cadillac tax.
Boehner’s Suit Challenging Obama’s Health Law Orders Set To Be Argued In Court
Preliminary arguments are scheduled Thursday in a federal district court in Washington, D.C. The House of Representatives’ lawsuit says that President Barack Obama overstepped his authority with executive orders implementing the Affordable Care Act. The Obama administration is asking the judge to throw out the case.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizaitons.
Viewpoints: Don’t Trust Health Law Memories; Good Compromise In Fla.; Smoking And The Poor
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
