Latest KFF Health News Stories
Costly, New Hep C Drugs Pose Dilemma For Prisons
The Constitution guarantees prisoners the same medical care that’s standard in the community, reports NPR. The trouble is, that standard of care changed practically overnight for those with hepatitis C, which is more common among inmates than among the general public. Meanwhile, Bloomberg News examines the market fallout of the deal between Express Scripts and AbbVie.
FDA Proposes Easing Lifetime Ban On Blood Donations By Gay Men
However, men who have had sex with other men in the past year are still not allowed to donate. Scientists say modern screening methods for HIV make the lifetime ban unnecessary.
With Time Running Out For Jan. 1 Coverage, Some Get Deadline Break
And in North Carolina, a charity is offering to pay premiums for some low-income residents.
Affordable Care Act Sign-Ups Near 6.4 Million
With about seven weeks to go until the end of open enrollment, almost 2 million new customers have signed up for coverage and another 4.5 million policyholders either re-enrolled or were automatically renewed in their policies in the 37 states that participate in the federal exchange.
First Edition: December 24, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Vermont’s Insurance ‘Washout;’ Struggles For A Small Business Owner
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
State Highlights: Communities’ Mental Health Failures; Medicaid And EHRs
A selection of stories that affect states and local communities around the country.
Lawmakers, Reports Say VA Projects Wasting Billions
And, in Kansas, researchers says the federal government lacks a proper plan to care for returning soldiers wounded on the battleground.
Judge Strikes Down Federal Pay Raise For Some Home Caregivers
U.S. District Judge Richard Leon says the new rules conflict with federal law. Also in news affecting seniors, the Justice Department files a complaint against Onmicare Inc., alleging the pharmacy services provider received kickbacks from a drug maker.
CDC Director Sees Progress In Ebola Fight
After a week-long visit to West Africa, Thomas Frieden, who heads the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, says he sees “real momentum” in Liberia, but also “sobering” challenges, such as a shortage of beds, in neighboring Sierra Leone and Guinea.
More People With Chronic Conditions Turn To Palliative Care
The therapies, often used for patients with terminal illnesses, are now being tried to treat people dealing with diseases such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s. Also, The New York Times examines restaurant offerings with big calories.
Patients, Doctors Applaud Hep C Drug Deal But With Caveats
While the agreement between Express Scripts, the nation’s largest pharmacy benefits manager, and drug maker AbbVie will make the new hepatitis C treatment Viekira available to people with early stage liver disease, some patients will not be good candidates for it. Meanwhile, Express Scripts will cover the $84,000 Sovaldi only in limited cases.
Study: Some Heart Patients Do Better When Doctors Are Away
Elsewhere, new draft guidelines suggest yearly blood pressure tests for everyone over 40 years old or if they have other risk factors.
North Carolina Abortion Law Struck Down By U.S. Appeals Court
The 4th Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Va., ruled that the 2011 law requiring doctors to perform ultrasounds and describe sonogram images to pregnant women at least four hours before an abortion is “ideological in intent” and violates doctors’ free-speech rights.
Feds To Investigate If Insurers Discriminated Against Sick
The Obama administration said it had become aware of “discriminatory benefit designs” that discouraged people with costly chronic illnesses such as AIDS from enrolling because of age or medical condition, The New York Times reports. Also, a California group sues Aetna, alleging that requirements for mail-order drugs threaten patient privacy.
Supreme Court To Hear Big Health Law Challenge In March
Meanwhile, federal officials move to make health coverage summaries more user-friendly.
Medicaid Program Challenged In Pa.
The challenge does not target the expansion of benefits to up to 600,000 Pennsylvanians who will become newly eligible Jan. 1.
First Edition: December 23, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: The Problem With Medicaid Doc Pay; The Unraveling Of Vt.’s Single-Payer Plan
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
