Latest Morning Briefing Stories
A Closer Look At The Senate’s Investigation Of Tainted Medical Scopes
A Senate investigation recently found that 16 hospitals around the U.S. failed to file mandatory paperwork with the federal government after patients at their hospitals became infected or died from the use of tainted medical scopes. KHN’s Chad Terhune, who reported on the story for the Los Angeles Times, spoke with Madeline Brand on KCRW’s Press Play about the investigation and steps the scope maker is taking to stop the infections.
Want Into A Clinical Trial? Read This First.
Experimental drugs might help desperate patients, but don’t count on an easy cure.
MCO Tax a Looming Question in Governor’s Upcoming Budget Proposal
If calling a special legislative session didn’t work, what’s next on Gov. Brown’s agenda to replace the loss of the $1 billion managed care organization tax?
Heavy Use Of CT Scans Raises Concerns About Patients’ Exposure To Radiation
CT scans, which are administered more than 85 million times a year, are an important diagnostic tool, but just one can be equivalent to 200 X-rays. Some doctors warn that health providers are not considering possible consequences when ordering the tests.
Expensive Drugs in 2016 Crosshairs
Lawmakers, policymakers and California voters are poised this year to move past dismay and discussion about rising prescription drug prices. With a new law on the books in California and a petition approved for the statewide ballot, dismay may give way to action.
Health Reform in 2015: A Year in Review
From the King v. Burwell decision to the ultimate “doc fix,” there were some major developments in health care reform this year.
Can Drug Companies Survive Their Martin Shkreli Moment?
The pharmaceutical industry has been under scrutiny for the past month, after one executive’s decision to hike the price of a drug by more than 5,000% overnight attracted the attention of presidential candidates.
Support for Federal Health Spending Is Down. Could the ACA Be the Reason Why?
The Affordable Care Act is the largest overhaul of the country’s health care system in history. Since the law’s enactment, support for federal spending on health care is down among Republicans, independents … and even Democrats.
Why Expanded Health Care Access for the Undocumented Is Unlikely, Despite Benefits
Research suggests that there are several potential benefits to expanding health care coverage to undocumented immigrants: avoiding a plateau in insurance gains, extending Medicare solvency and others. But expanded access is likely to stall in the face of cost and other concerns.
There’s bipartisan support for legislation that would eliminate the Affordable Care Act’s Independent Payment Advisory Board, meaning that one of the few ways to limit Medicare spending growth could soon be gone. What other tools could control Medicare spending?