Latest KFF Health News Stories
Gaps In State Data Adds Difficulty To Determining Scope Of National Heroin Problem
Pennsylvania and a number of other states only broadly note in official databases information about drug overdoses, but the most recent statistics date to 2012 and generally don’t include specific information about the drugs in use. Meanwhile, in related news, a Maine legislator advances a bill to make abuse-deterrent painkillers more affordable and a crackdown on prescription drug abuse in the South leads to charges against two physicians.
California Medical Association Reverses Position On ‘Aid-In-Dying’ Legislation
In what might be a national precedent, the doctors’ group changed its decades-long opposition to a proposal that allows physicians to help seriously ill patients end their lives.
Gov. Scott’s Hospital Panel Faces Off With Florida Health Officials
The first meeting of the commission created by Florida Gov. Rick Scott to examine government hospital spending ended with a sense that the group won’t come up with solutions before the legislature’s June 30 deadline to pass a budget that will set health care funding levels.
Hedge Fund Manager Challenges Drug Patents Using New Dispute Process
Meanwhile, Johnson & Johnson estimates that 10 new drugs the company wants to bring to market could reap $1 billion in annual sales. In other research news, a group of virus hunters aims to change the ways insurers and countries handle Ebola and other epidemics.
Grassley Urges Tighter Scrutiny Of Medicare Advantage Plans; House ‘Cures’ Bill Mark Up Delayed
In other Capitol Hill happenings, supporters of the 340B Drug Discount program urge lawmakers not to make changes in it as part of the “Cures” bill that would overhaul the FDA’s drug approval process. Meanwhile, House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, gives a bleak VA progress report.
Senate Panel Asks Medicare To Revamp Programs To Cut Number Of Observation Stays
At a meeting of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, pointed out that observation care status can cost Medicare beneficiaries thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket costs.
Rising Out-Of-Pocket Expenses Drive Up Number Of ‘Underinsured’
A study estimates that 31 million people, many with private health insurance coverage, face unaffordable medical bills when seeking care. That forces many to put off doctor visits.
Study: Little Difference In Access To Care, Quality In Narrow Networks
The study, published in Health Affairs, looked at plans offered on California’s health insurance exchange. Elsewhere, exchange rate hike proposals get scrutiny, and Colorado officials propose upping their exchange staff and move to bring their marketing in-house.
Florida GOP Fights Obama Administration For Hospital Funds Linked To Medicaid Expansion
The letter from Republicans in Congress seeks continuation of the funding for hospitals with large numbers of uninsured patients, but federal officials say expanding the Medicaid program under the health law is a better option. Many Florida Republicans oppose that. In the meantime, a report shows that emergency room visits in New Hampshire fell 22 percent following Medicaid expansion there.
Carefirst: Hackers Had Access To Personal Info For More Than 1M Customers
CareFirst, a Blue Cross Blue Shield plan, is the third major U.S. health insurer to disclose this year that hackers breached its computer systems. The attack occurred in June 2014.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Too Many Consumers Underinsured; Getting A Grip On Performance Measures
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
News outlets examine health care issues in Tennessee, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Louisiana, Vermont, Colorado, California and Texas.
Tennessee Enacts Abortion Waiting Period; Texas Considers Abortion Restrictions On Minors
And in Missouri, Aetna will pay a $4.5 million fine for covering some elective abortions for ineligible women who didn’t buy an optional policy, as required by state law.
A scathing report highlights the tough conditions for Illinois inmates who suffer from mental illnesses. At a Chicago jail, those problems will have to be tackled by a clinical psychologist who was appointed to lead the facility. Meanwhile, an Arizona jail where half the prisoners are Native American is taking a cultural approach to treating drug addictions.
Rhode Island Medicaid Overhaul Triggers Opposition
News outlets also report on Medicaid news from North Carolina and Missouri.
The Health Law’s Impact On Small Business Part Of Campaign Trail Buzz
Small business issues — including policies related to Obamacare — are becoming important talking points among presidential hopefuls from both parties.
Health Sector Business Climate Good For Deal-Making, Acquisitions And Spin-Offs
Anthem’s CFO said the potential for a “meaningful” merger within the insurance industry would shrink the field of major players. Johnson & Johnson is entering a development and marketing deal with Achillion Pharmaceuticals on one or more of the drugmaker’s hepatitis C drugs. And Walgreens is relaunching its home-infusion division as a separate company.
Congress Advances Measures Giving Women In The Military Greater Access To Contraceptives
The House’s defense policy bill says military clinics and hospitals must offer any method of contraception approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Similar efforts are moving in the Senate too. Also on the issue of contraception, a federal court has denied for the second time Notre Dame’s challenge to the contraception-coverage requirements in the health law.
Meningitis Outbreak Victims To Get Compensation From $200 Million Fund
A federal bankruptcy judge approved the compensation pool for victims and creditors impacted by tainted steroid shots produced at a Massachusetts compounding pharmacy. In other court news, a synthetic marijuana prosecution hangs in the balance as Iowa struggles to define Schedule I chemicals.
