How Will Hepatitis C Drug Affect Health Care Spending?
June 24, 2014
Morning Briefing
Elsewhere, pharmaceutical companies are upset over new rules for a drug discount program — known as 340B.
Hill Plan Would Reward Medicare Doctors For Quality
By Mary Agnes Carey
February 7, 2014
KFF Health News Original
But finding a way to finance the SGR replacement may be even more difficult.
State Highlights: New York Faces $1.3B Medicaid Payback Problem
July 30, 2014
Morning Briefing
A selection of health policy stories from California, North Carolina, Iowa, Massachusetts and Illinois.
15-Minute Visits Take A Toll On The Doctor-Patient Relationship
By Roni Caryn Rabin
April 21, 2014
KFF Health News Original
Patients are more likely to leave frustrated and without the tools they need to take charge of their own health after rushed visits.
Medicare Records Provide Tantalizing New Details Of Payments To Doctors
By Jordan Rau
April 9, 2014
KFF Health News Original
But physicians and database experts caution that the information can be easily misconstrued or misunderstood.
Florida Jury Rules: RJ Reynolds Should Pay $23B To Widow Of Smoker
July 21, 2014
Morning Briefing
With its huge reward, the case is certain to be appealed.
VA Request This Week For $17.6B Stalls Congressional Effort To Reform Agency
July 18, 2014
Morning Briefing
Talks between the House and Senate over revamping care for veterans were already difficult, but the big spending request complicates the situation.
Waiting For Medicaid To Kick In
By Anna Gorman
April 21, 2014
KFF Health News Original
About 800,000 people in California are presumed to be eligible for the newly expanded program but lack final approval. For a Los Angeles hairdresser and others like her, that means medical appointments are on hold.
For High-Risk Women, Some Breast Cancer Drugs To Be Free
By Phil Galewitz
January 9, 2014
KFF Health News Original
Starting next September, women at increased risk for breast cancer will be able to get some drugs shown to help prevent the disease without a co-pay, the Obama administration said Thursday. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommended last September that clinicians give medications such as tamoxifen or raloxifene to such women to reduce their risk of the disease. […]
Table: Hospitals Judged Best And Worst For Hip And Knee Readmissions And Complications
December 17, 2013
KFF Health News Original
Medicare has evaluated how often patients undergoing hip and knee surgery were readmitted or suffered a serious complication. These hospitals did much better or worse than average.
High Court Allows Anti-Abortion Groups To Challenge Ohio Law Banning False Speech
June 17, 2014
Morning Briefing
The Ohio campaign law makes it illegal to lie about political candidates. The case originated after the Susan B. Anthony List accused Democratic Rep. Steve Driehaus of voting for “taxpayer-funded abortion” because he supported the Affordable Care Act. But he said the claims were false because both the health law and a related presidential order prohibit federal abortion funding.
Hospitals Sue HHS Over Lengthy RAC Appeals
May 27, 2014
Morning Briefing
The hospitals are demanding the agency fulfill its requirement to decide Medicare payment appeals within 90 days, instead of the current 16-month average. Meanwhile, the pharmaceutical industry scored a victory Friday in its efforts to limit hospitals’ access to lower-priced drugs through the 340B drug discount program.
What To Say When Mom Or Dad Has Cancer
By Carrie Feibel, KUHF
July 30, 2013
KFF Health News Original
The Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital and MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston offer emotional and practical support for families dealing with the disease.
Tough Medicare Decisions Await Bipartisan Budget Panel
By Mary Agnes Carey
October 18, 2013
KFF Health News Original
Lawmakers have until Dec. 13 to reach agreement under legislation ending the shutdown of the government and raising the debt ceiling.
Some Medical Schools Shaving Off A Year Of Training
By Sandra G. Boodman
January 14, 2014
KFF Health News Original
The chance to finish medical school early is attracting increased attention from students burdened with six-figure education loans. Medical school administrators and policymakers see it as a way to produce doctors faster and as a response to the looming shortage of primary care physicians.
Promises To Fix Mental Health System Still Unfulfilled
By Jenny Gold
December 13, 2013
KFF Health News Original
Even for those with the will and drive to pursue treatment, the process remains difficult, frightening and full of holes. On the federal level, little has come from the task forces and promises that followed the Newtown shootings.
How Palliative Care Helps: One Iowa Family’s Journey
By Jenny Gold
December 16, 2013
KFF Health News Original
‘This is their life. They’re the boss,’ says Dr. Tim Ihrig of the palliative care department at UnityPoint hospital in Fort Dodge, Iowa. ‘It’s an honor to be on this journey.’
Adding To Health Insurance Confusion, Other Groups Try To Cash In
By Lynn Hatter, WFSU
November 4, 2013
KFF Health News Original
With the federal exchanges still not working well, some uninsured people are turning to local groups to figure what to do. In Florida, a lack of coordination among different agencies is leaving room for dubious outfits to enter the scene.
Ark. Court Reverses $1.2B Medicaid Ruling; Fla. Overhaulings Child Welfare
March 21, 2014
Morning Briefing
News outlets report on health care news in Arkansas, Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Minnesota, Missouri and Washington.
Investor Group To Buy Claims Manager For $4.4B
February 18, 2014
Morning Briefing
MultiPlan processes 40 million health insurance claims annually.
