Latest KFF Health News Stories
Conn. Foundations Helping To Finance Health Enrollment Push
This initiative will supplement the state health insurance marketplace’s official sign-up effort. In Illinois, officials gear up for the second year of enrollment but expect work will be harder this time.
FDA Probes Malfunctions Of Medical Devices Made By Man Who Has Championed Patient Safety
A Food and Drug Administration investigation last year found that Masimo Corp. did not adequately look into reports of problems with its devices, ProPublica reports, even though the company owner, Joe Kiani, has created a foundation dedicated to eliminating medical mistakes. In addition, the Boston Globe examines how medical technology companies are looking for new strategies to boost sales.
Another Shortfall In The Doctor Payment Database Revealed
Federal officials report that the Open Payments database, which seeks to make drug and medical device company payments to doctors and hospitals available to consumers, is missing $1.1 billion in payments made between August and December 2013.
Wis. Gubernatorial Candidates Spar Over Abortion
Elsewhere, races in Maryland, Maine, Massachusetts and Oregon highlight health care issues — like Medicaid, prescription drugs and attracting health care technology firms.
State Highlights: States And Drug Prices; Ariz. Limiting Sovaldi For Patients
A selection of health policy stories from Oregon, Arizona, California, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, New York, New Mexico and Minnesota.
Obama Administration Announces Plans To Step Up Airport Screening For Ebola
Though President Barack Obama did not say exactly how screening procedures would change, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said officials would consider a variety of options.
Texas Abortion Providers Make Emergency Request To High Court
After a federal appeals court last week gave the state a green light to implement parts of a Texas law that restricts abortion, lawyers for the state’s abortion providers asked the high court to step in and grant temporary relief so that the state’s clinics could stay open while legal action continues. This particular issue could be one of several abortion-related cases that could reach the court in the upcoming term.
Medicare Attack Ads Emerge In Key Senate Races
In recent weeks, Medicare has been an advertising topic in Alaska, Arkansas, Iowa and Louisiana. Meanwhile, New Hampshire’s Senate candidates discussed a range of health care topics during their first debate.
Nursing Home Rating System Gets Makeover
The Obama administration announced Monday that it will substantially revise the five-star rating program for nursing homes.
N.Y. Hospital’s Unusual Outreach To Patients Saves Money
Montefiore saved $24 million last year and is part of an accountable care organization pilot project set up by the health law. Also, in Texas, federal officials are withholding funds while they probe a Medicaid financing plan.
Viewpoints: Relatively Few Insurance Cancellations; New Doctor Payment Site Is ‘Impenetrable’
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
First Edition: October 7, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including a variety of health policy developments at the federal and state levels.
Medicare Open Enrollment Brings Lots Of Choices
Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal looks at some of the scams aimed at people over 50. And news outlets scrutinize the record number of hospitals penalized by Medicare for readmitting too many patients within 30 days of their discharges.
Many Nursing Homes Still Lack Fire Sprinklers
More than 50,000 people are living in nursing homes without adequate fire sprinkler systems, a year after the deadline set by the federal government, according to The Associated Press. Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal looks at lawyers who specialize in suing for-profit nursing homes for abuse and neglect.
Democrats Spotlight Women’s Health Issues
The issue is figuring prominently in races in Colorado and New Hampshire, where Democratic incumbents are highlighting their differences with Republican challengers.
Will Supreme Court Hear Another Health Law Challenge?
As the court begins its new term, the justices will be asked to consider another challenge to the Affordable Care Act about whether individuals can qualify for federal subsidies if they live in a state with a federal, rather than a state-run, insurance marketplace.
Debate Over California’s Proposition 45
The ballot initiative would give the elected state insurance commissioner the power to regulate health insurance rates for small businesses and individuals. Proponents say it would make the rate-setting process more transparent. But a coalition of hospitals, doctors and health plans contend it would give too much power to one person.
Two Hospital Suppliers To Merge
Becton Dickinson announced it is buying CareFusion for $12.2 billion. They will form the fifth largest medical supply company and hope to offer hospitals more options as they seek to lower costs.
Closures Force Texas Abortion Center Staff, Patients To Reassess Options
The decision last week by a federal appeals court closed many of the remaining abortion clinics in Texas and left some women scrambling for services.
Indiana Gov. Pitches Obama On His Brand Of Medicaid Expansion
Gov. Mike Pence discussed his proposal to expand Medicaid directly with President Barack Obama on Friday. The Republican governor is seeking a federal waiver to be able to require low-income recipients to pay a nominal fee toward their premiums.
