Latest Morning Briefing Stories
Rx For Reform: NC Pharmacists Try To Boost Health And Cut Costs
The federal government has invested $15 million in a North Carolina experiment that gives community pharmacists a new role in patient care.
Alaska’s New Governor Sets Sights On Medicaid Expansion
Gov. Bill Walker, an Independent, campaigned on Medicaid expansion and now he has to pitch it to a reluctant Republican legislature.
Patients At Seven Miami-Dade Hospitals Are More Likely To Develop Infections
The data comes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which tracks six types of frequently occurring infections in hospitals as part of an effort to reduce them.
Missouri GOP Aims To Continue Fight Against Federal Health Law
It is one of 21 states that have enacted laws challenging or opting-out of provisions of the health law, says the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Making The Human Condition Computable
For centuries, the central challenge in health care was ignorance. Now, health care is being flooded with information. But commerce and medicine are still trying to figure out what do with all that data.
Pa. Man Hates The Law That Will Pay For His Health Insurance
Self-employed accountant is one of an estimated 600,000 low-income Pennsylvanians who will be eligible for expanded Medicaid beginning Jan. 1.
Obamacare Co-Ops Cut Prices, Turn Up Heat On Rival Insurers
For-profit carriers complain the upstarts have an unfair edge because of low-interest federal loans.
For North Carolina’s Working Poor, Fears Of Losing Coverage, Owing Uncle Sam
But for those who hover around the poverty line, a slump can put them into the “no help” category in the Carolinas and 21 other states that haven’t expanded Medicaid coverage.
Some Newly Covered Illinois Residents Still Struggle To Pay For Health Care
Even with insurance, high deductibles can put care out of reach.
Federal Officials Urge Marketplace Consumers To Look For Better Deals In 2015
People who bought coverage on healthcare.gov for this year could likely find cheaper premiums if they shop again.
Health Exchange Bill Fizzles In Illinois Legislature
Proponents of state-based health exchange bill say residents’ subsidies are now at risk.
Medicaid Expansion By Any Other Name May Fly For Florida Lawmakers
Coalition, which includes some prominent Republicans, pushes “free market” alternative.
In New York, Video Chat Trumps Quarantine To Combat TB
While Americans debate whether we should quarantine people who might have Ebola but clearly aren’t contagious, others wander among us who are infected with tuberculosis — another disease that’s highly communicable in some forms.
If High Court Strikes Federal Exchange Subsidies, Health Law Could Unravel
Some suggest “virtual” state exchanges could be created, but scholars say that’s not likely to pass legal muster.
More Competition Helps Restrain Premiums In Federal Health Marketplace
In counties that are adding at least one insurer next year, average premiums for the least expensive silver plan are rising 1 percent on average, compared to 7 percent in counties where the number of insurers is not changing, KHN analysis finds.
Obama Officials Seek To Clarify Abortion Coverage Rules
In some states, insurance plans deviate from Congress’ health law compromise.
Alaska Doctors Overwhelmed By New Federal Rules
The new requirements for electronic medical records and other technological upgrades can be a heavy burden for Alaska’s small medical practices and aging physician workforce.
Researchers Campaign Against Americans’ Sweet Tooth With Public Health Initiative
The Sugar Science webpage spells out dangers from average consumption of sugar, including increased risks of diabetes, heart disease and liver problems.
Hospitals And Pharmacies Grapple With Rising Drug Prices
Spending on drugs by Ascension, a large Midwestern health care system, has increased $36 million in the last year — with two-thirds of that attributed to costlier generics.
Most Illinois Medicaid Patients Denied New Hepatitis C Drugs
Spending for the medications dropped from $1 million per week to about $200,000 per week after the state imposed restrictions.
