Latest KFF Health News Stories
Flurry Of Bills Target Ongoing Troubles At VA
From taking back bonuses to enacting collective bargaining rights, The Washington Post rounds up changes lawmakers propose for the Department of Veterans Affairs. And The Associated Press reports on the debate over the Denver VA hospital construction project that has run out of money.
Soon-To-Be Released Medicaid Managed Care Regs Likely To Be ‘Epic’
Stakeholders are watching carefully for the regulations, the first such rules issued by the federal government in more than a decade, because states have increasingly been moving toward this managed care model for the federal-state low-income health insurance program.
A National Network Of Seniors Help Identify And Combat Medicare Fraud
Volunteers with the Senior Medicare Patrol aim to “protect, detect and report” fraud schemes by educating fellow Medicare beneficiaries on the risks and red flags.
Settlement Talks Held By Actavis, Justice Department In Warner Chilcott Investigation
In news from another Justice Department probe, PharMerica agreed to pay $31.5 million over charges that it dispensed drugs without a prescription and submitted false Medicare claims.
Nursing Homes In 11 States Get Lowest Quality Ratings
A new study from the Kaiser Family Foundation shows nursing homes in those states score only a 1 or 2 on a scale of 5. (Kaiser Health News is an editorially independent program of the foundation.)
GOP Senator Readies Obamacare Replacement
Sen. Bill Cassidy’s bill would let states opt out of the health law’s mandates and instead offer tax credits for health savings accounts as part of the GOP response to a looming Supreme Court decision on subsidies. Elsewhere, a key Republican says he doesn’t favor an extension of health law subsidies if the justices strikes some of them down. And, a Senate subcommittee investigates the subsidies for payment improprieties.
Does Obamacare Help Hospitals?
News outlets examine recent reports, including one from the American College of Emergency Physicians, to see if the health law is fulfilling its promise.
With Medicaid Impasse, Fla. Governor Orders State Agencies To Prepare For July 1 Shutdown
The state’s lawmakers have been unable to strike a budget because of concerns about federal funding of hospitals and Medicaid expansion. In Alaska, a House committee throws water on the governor’s plan to expand the health care program for low-income residents, Utah officials are working to try to find a compromise on the issue and Georgia is exploring some options.
Less Advertising, Outreach As Covered California Eyes Self-Sufficiency
The state exchange, run with federal dollars for now, released its 2015-2016 budget proposal. Elsewhere, in Hawaii, officials plan to use federal technology to run the insurance exchange there. And Iowa and Colorado exchanges are also in the news.
Contractor Tapped With Healthcare.gov Rescue Says Its Work Is Done
The Wall Street Journal reports that government contractor Optum says it has achieved its goal of making the federal health exchange a stable and reliable platform. Other news outlets examine findings from the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans on the health law’s Cadillac tax, as well as Families USA on issues of affordability.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: More Work To Fix Health Care; ‘Medicaid Extortion’; Mental Illness And Prison
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Longer Looks: The Dangers To Manicurists; Tom Brokaw’s Battle With Cancer; Nurse Confessions
Each week, KHN finds interesting reads from around the Web.
News outlets examine health care issues in Massachusetts, Texas, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Utah, Indiana, New York, South Carolina and California.
In other related news, Kansas abortion opponents are pressing for a rewrite of state health and safety regulations on abortion providers and Tenn. Gov. Bill Haslam signed into law stricter standards for abortion clinics.
Ohio Budget Provision Puts Medicaid Coverage At Risk For Some Poor Children, Adults
News outlets also report on Medicaid-related developments in Alaska, North Carolina and Texas.
Fighting ‘Superbugs’ Could Require Multibillion-Dollar Investment
An economist from the United Kingdom says the global community will need as much as $37 billion over 10 years to fight the threat. In the U.S., hospitals look for ways to better clean scopes — often a source of hospital-acquired infections.
Reward Vs. Penalty: Study Examines Most Effective Incentive To Quit Smoking
Researchers found that the risk of losing money if a person failed to stay off cigarettes doubled the chances of smoking cessation success.
VA Improperly Spent $6 Billion On Medical Care And Supplies, Internal Memo Says
The Veterans Affairs senior procurement official sent a memo to VA Sec. Robert McDonald saying the department violated federal contracting rules and engaged in “gross mismanagement.”
Investment Firms Direct Retirees On Health Expenses
Big brokerage firms like Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley are offering advice to wealthier retirees on health care expenses. Elsewhere, a billionaire sounds the baby-boomer health care-costs alarm, and PBS NewsHour looks at COBRA versus Medicare coverage.
