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VA whistleblowers testify about retaliation

An independent federal agency is investigating 67 active complaints of employee retaliation at VA health facilities in 28 states, according to testimony before a House panel Tuesday.

9 Jul 2014

First Edition: June 9, 2014

Today's headlines include a status report on GOP discussions and debate over plans to replace the health law as well as coverage of emerging legislation to override the Supreme Court's Hobby Lobby decision.

9 Jul 2014

Courts consider challenges to health law subsidies

A federal judge weighs whether to allow a Republican senator's lawsuit challenging the awarding of tax-free federal subsidies to buy health insurance to members of Congress and their staffs.

8 Jul 2014

N.Y., Colo. insurers seek large 2015 premium increases; Ga. sees drop in rates

In New York, insurer requests for rate increases on the health law's exchange averaged 13 percent, while Denver Health is asking state regulators for a 17.5 percent hike next year. Georgia has a different story: Two companies are planning to enter the exchange next year and Blue Cross, the only statewide plan on the exchange this year, says it will drop rates by 7 percent.

4 Jul 2014

First Edition: July 3,2014

Today's early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including more analysis of the Supreme Court's Hobby Lobby decision and concerns in New York about significant insurance rate increases for 2015.

3 Jul 2014

Viewpoints: Nothing in health care is free; Obamacare opponents lack facts; 'Nurse Jackie' and the ER

The Department of Health and Human Services released a report Friday declaring that 76 million Americans with private insurance became eligible for more preventive services with no out-of-pocket fees as a result of the 2010 healthcare law, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (a.k.a. Obamacare). Because Democrats are counting on female voters to help them at the polls in November, the report highlighted how women had been helped by that aspect of Obamacare.

1 Jul 2014

State highlights: Caring for Texans injured on-the-job; heroin deaths in Md.; pertussis in Calif.

In formerly depressed South Texas, gas flares from the fracking boom can be seen from outer space. While Texas has a Division of Workers' Compensation, it is the only state that doesn't require any private employer to carry workers' compensation insurance or a private equivalent, so more than 500,000 people have no occupational benefits when they get injured at work. That means they often rely on charities or taxpayers to pay for their care (Root, 6/29)

1 Jul 2014

Inaccurate doctor lists hurt access for low-income Californians

Meanwhile, confusion over limited providers also has led to unforeseen bills for enrollees in private plans in California, reports The Los Angeles Times. Other stories look at the growing number of insurers who want to participate in the online marketplaces and how 19 states have passed laws restricting the workers who help consumers sign up, despite a new federal rule eliminating many such restrictions.

1 Jul 2014

Developmental psychologist explains the complexities of human mind

Developmental psychologist Daphne Maurer has spent more than four decades studying the complexities of the human mind.

28 Jun 2014

Lassa virus uses two-step process to invade cells, shows study

Scientists have discovered that the Lassa virus, which is endemic to West Africa, uses an unexpected two-step process to enter cells.

28 Jun 2014

Xenex testifies before U.S. House of Representatives on effectiveness of UV disinfection system in reducing HAI rates

Xenex Disinfection Services, the world leader in UV room disinfection systems, testified yesterday before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Science, Space, and Technology; Subcommittee on Research and Technology; and Subcommittee on Oversight.

28 Jun 2014

State highlights: N.C. lawmakers face off over Medicaid spending; heart surgery ratings in Ore.

North Carolina senators were not persuaded Thursday to accept Medicaid spending numbers for the coming year from Gov. Pat McCrory's administration after hearing a two-hour presentation led by State Budget Director Art Pope. Pope was summoned by the Senate Appropriations Committee to explain why McCrory's spending projection earmarks are much less than the Senate's to pay for unpaid claims from the year ending June 30 and additional enrollment and services for next year.

28 Jun 2014

Turmoil at VA continues as two more senior officials resign

Robert Jesse, acting undersecretary for health, and Will Gunn, the department's general counsel, will be leaving their positions at the troubled agency.

27 Jun 2014

State roundup: Troubles in Kentucky; MD. hospital under review

The team at The Upshot, a Times news and data-analysis venture, compiled six basic metrics to give a picture of the quality and longevity of life in each county of the nation: educational attainment, household income, jobless rate, disability rate, life expectancy and obesity rate.

27 Jun 2014

Medicare boosts anti-fraud efforts, but problems are still rife

Medicare officials recovered about $19.2 billion in fraudulent payments over the past five years, including $210 million through a new system that uses analytics to probe billing patterns, CQ Healthbeat reports. But the recovered sum is dwarfed by the size of the problem, projected to be up to $50 billion a year.

27 Jun 2014