Ellmers Ousted In Primary Following Rift With Social Conservatives Over Abortion
June 8, 2016
Morning Briefing
“Actions have consequences,” said Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the Susan B. Anthony List.
Tiny Opioid Patients Need Help Easing Into Life
By Kristin Espeland Gourlay, RINPR
March 28, 2016
KFF Health News Original
More babies are being born dependent on opioids. The good news is they can safely be weaned from the drug. But there’s little research on which medical treatment is best, or its long-term effects.
What Happened To $10B Gilead Allegedly Owes In Taxes? Group Asks Feds To Investigate
August 12, 2016
Morning Briefing
The Americans for Tax Fairness wants the Internal Revenue Service and Treasury Department to take action against the drugmaker following a report released by the group that shows the company may have shifted billions into offshore accounts to avoid paying taxes.
$1B Fraud Case Shines Light On Lucrative Medicare Black Market
July 25, 2016
Morning Briefing
Three people have been charged in the largest single criminal health care fraud case ever brought against individuals by the Department of Justice. “Medicare fraud has infected every facet of our health care system,” Wifredo A. Ferrer, the United States attorney in Miami, said Friday in announcing the indictments.
R2D2’s Next Assignment: Hospital Orderly
By Jenny Gold
March 1, 2016
KFF Health News Original
A gleaming new hospital in San Francisco has a fleet of robots dropping off meals, picking up trash and saving some money in a very 21st century way.
Three Hospitals Hope To Spark A Reduction In Surgeries By Inexperienced Doctors
By Sandra G. Boodman
April 27, 2016
KFF Health News Original
The prestigious facilities are seeking to improve patient safety by getting surgeons and hospitals to pledge to meet minimum thresholds for 10 high-risk procedures.
Health Reform Roils Downton Abbey
By Jenny Gold
February 17, 2016
KFF Health News Original
The hospital consolidation plot in the final season of the beloved British series is historically accurate — and has parallels in today’s U.S. health industry.
It’s Open Enrollment Time: What To Know About Obamacare Costs
October 30, 2015
KFF Health News Original
KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey appeared on PBS NewsHour to talk about open enrollment season to buy health insurance coverage on healthcare.gov and online state marketplaces.
Consumer Group: Many Lawmakers Opposing Medicare Change Got Drugmakers’ Contributions
July 11, 2016
Morning Briefing
Public Citizen reports that 310 lawmakers who were critical of a proposal to change how doctors were paid for Medicare Part B drugs received a total of more than $7.2 million from pharmaceutical and health products companies for their 2016 campaigns.
Selling The Health Benefits Of Tap Water, In An Age Of Flint
By John Daley, Colorado Public Radio
February 18, 2016
KFF Health News Original
Public health officials in Colorado are battling a stigma against drinking tap water, especially in some Latino communities.
New Guidelines Boost Diabetes Screening For Overweight Adults
By Michelle Andrews
December 4, 2015
KFF Health News Original
The prevention task force also recommends that patients with high blood sugar levels be referred to nutrition and exercise counseling. Under the health law, the services would be covered by insurance without cost sharing.
Premiums For Key Marketplace Silver Plans Rising An Average Of 7.5 Percent, HHS Says
By Mary Agnes Carey Jordan Rau
October 27, 2015
KFF Health News Original
Federal officials say tax credits will blunt the impact of price increases in 2016 for most consumers buying the second-lowest silver health plan in 37 states.
Candidates’ Drug-Price Plans May Miss The Mark
By Julie Rovner
February 25, 2016
KFF Health News Original
There is more than one reason prices are rising, and no single solution.
Envision Healthcare, AmSurg Merger Would Create $10B Company
June 16, 2016
Morning Briefing
The all-stock deal would blend the physician-staffing business with more than 250 ambulatory surgery centers.
House Passes $1.1B Zika Bill That’s Likely To Fail In Senate
June 23, 2016
Morning Briefing
Democrats strongly oppose parts of the package, which include provisions regarding the Affordable Care Act, Planned Parenthood and pesticides — and they have promised to filibuster it to death in the Senate. The House immediately adjourned for recess following the vote, leaving behind any chance to resolve the funding dispute before the holiday.
Good News, Bad News In Medicare Trustees Report
By Phil Galewitz
July 23, 2015
KFF Health News Original
Trust fund solvent until 2030, but some seniors may see a big spike in Part B premiums.
Will Healthcare.gov Get A California Makeover?
By Pauline Bartolone
February 29, 2016
KFF Health News Original
Feds propose taking a page out of Covered California’s book and moving to a simplified health insurance marketplace.
At Clinic, Poverty Magnifies Health Problems
By Lauren Burns, Capital News Service
February 16, 2016
KFF Health News Original
Staff see high rates of chronic illness and mental health issues related to trauma.
Doctors, Hospitals Received $6.49B From Pharmaceutical Industry, Device Makers Last Year
July 1, 2016
Morning Briefing
Physicians and teaching hospitals in the U.S. took in fees, educational services, meals and other services worth billions, according to required annual disclosures available through a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ database. Nearly 2.3 percent of the transactions between doctors and drugmakers were related to opioids.
