Latest KFF Health News Stories
New VA Director Details Plan For Fixing Health System
His to-do list includes streamlining the bureaucracy and simplifying the process by which veterans receive care.
Feds Allege Spinal Surgery Kickback Scheme
During a secretly recorded meeting, McClatchy News reports that a salesman for Reliance Medical Systems promised spinal surgeons that within a month or two of joining the company’s program, they could collect enough money to pay for their kids’ college educations. Meanwhile, The Oregonian reports the FBI is probing a body donation program run by Legacy Health in Portland.
DEA Announces That Unused Prescription Pills Can Be Returned To Pharmacies
Seeking to combat growing drug abuse problems, federal authorities will allow patients and their relatives to take excess pills, such as opioid painkillers, to hospitals, clinics and pharmacies or to mail them to authorized sites.
Viewpoints: Health Law Is Not Affordable; Narrow Doctor Networks May Not Sacrifice Quality
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
With Lawmakers Blocking Medicaid Expansion, Va. Governor Scales Back Plan
Gov. Terry McAuliffe, a Democrat, announced that as many as 25,000 Virginians would gain access to health coverage under his plan — a fraction of the 400,000 who might have done so under the Medicaid expansion opposed by the Republican-controlled General Assembly.
State Highlights: Officials Say Medi-Cal Autism Coverage Still Taking Shape
A selection of health policy stories from New York, California, Illinois, Texas, Missouri, Michigan and Florida.
State, Congressional Candidates Go On The Record With Health Policy Issues
The physician who is campaigning to become Kansas’s Lieutenant Governor talks health care payment models while candidates in Virginia, Massachusetts and Connecticut take on policies ranging from over-the-counter birth control to the interaction between the health law and Medicare.
First Edition: September 9, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s scaled-back plan to expand health coverage within his state after efforts to pursue the health law’s Medicaid expansion were blocked.
Little Noticed Financial Gauge Getting Attention
A quarterly report from the Commerce Department now is watched closely as an indicator of health care spending, The Wall Street Journal reports.
Two Months And Counting: Concerns Turn To Enrollment Outreach, Marketplace Readiness
As the health law’s open enrollment period nears, challenges include getting the message out to people who may qualify for new coverage and making sure the online insurance marketplaces are functioning.
Democrats Look For State Gains To Help Positions On Medicaid, Health Law
Even if Democrats lose seats on Capitol Hill, they believe they can make inroads in state offices that will help them expand Medicaid and extend the health care law. Also, Politico Pro reports that more GOP-led states are considering Medicaid expansion.
Viewpoints: Health Spending On The Rise; GOP’s New ‘Passion For The Pill’
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Ill. Fines Hospitals For Preventable Hospital Readmissions
Also, a federal lawsuit in California alleges nursing homes overmedicated their residents and and seeks repayment.
Companies Move To Make Adjustments In Workers’ Health Benefits
The Washington Post reports that, while few employers are likely to stop providing employee benefits, many will likely shift costs onto workers in the form of higher out-of-pocket expenses and reduced subsidies. Wellness programs also continue to pick up momentum.
McAuliffe To Unveil Plan To Expand Health Coverage In Virginia
In the wake of losing his battle to expand Medicaid, Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe will detail steps today he plans to take that will not require approval by the GOP-controlled General Assembly.
Va. Lawmaker Stabbed By Son Calls For National Mental Health System Reform
Elsewhere, the Washington state Supreme Court will allow psychiatric hospitals more time to find beds for patients with mental illnesses, and Connecticut plans to overhaul children’s mental health care.
State Highlights: Texas Lawmaker Proposes ‘3 Strikes’ For Nursing Homes
A selection of health policy stories from North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Iowa, New Mexico, Illinois, Missouri, Georgia, Wisconsin and California.
First Edition: September 8, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including stories about how companies are adjusting their health benefits in the current health care marketplace, as well as a range of state-level health policy developments.
Obama Warns About Ebola Security Threat
Meanwhile, the administration has requested more money to fight the epidemic.
Report: CMS ‘Quietly’ Creating New Enrollment Period For Immigrants’ Health Plans
Inside Health Policy writes that the agency has 60-day special enrollment periods for those unable to get the documents in on time.
