Latest Kaiser Health News Stories
Trump Allies Cashed In On Hundreds Of Thousands Of Dollars Through Health Contracts With CMS, Verma
Politico obtained documents that detail how much contractors bill CMS under Administrator Seema Verma, who has been a vocal proponent for cutting federal spending by reining in Medicaid programs. One longtime Verma ally was greenlighted to bill as much as $425,000 for about a year’s worth of work.
Kaiser Permanente CEO Bernard Tyson Dies Unexpectedly At Age 60
Bernard Tyson was described by colleagues in a company statement as “an outstanding leader, visionary and champion for high-quality, affordable health care for all Americans.”
“Everyone sat up and said: ‘Wow, we’re not very good. Not only are we very expensive, we kill a lot of people,’ ” recalled Dr. Robert Wachter, chair of the department of medicine at University of California at San Francisco, who who has written about patient safety issues for years. Many of the report’s ambitious goals, such as creating a reliable system of measuring errors, have yet to be realized. In other news on hospitals: debilitating lawsuits, financial struggles at rural facilities, infant deaths from contaminated equipment, and more.
The stations that are equipped with tools like blood pressure cuffs and could help people deal with minor health issues like colds can potentially be set up just about anywhere people might need them like airports. Currently, some medical centers and drug stores are testing them out. News on health technology is on data breaches involving 300,000 patients in October, as well.
HSAs Can Be A Powerful Savings Tool–But You Have To Know How To Utilize Them Right
Health savings accounts are unique in the triple tax advantage they offer, but many people can overlook them or find them too confusing to use.
Bruising Labor Battles Put Kaiser Permanente’s Reputation On The Line
Kaiser Permanente just avoided a nationwide strike by thousands of workers, but now faces a new strike threat Monday. The labor battles are exposing the health care giant to scrutiny from lawmakers, health care advocates and others who accuse it of no longer living up to its nonprofit ideals.
Google Takes Steps Into Health Market With Fitbit; Both Companies Say Data Won’t Be Used For Ads
Fitbit, which has been pushing aggressively into health care, is a good fit for Google. It terminated Google Health in 2011 over lack of interest but many changes have occurred since then and tech companies are racing to make inroads. Other health technology news is on a data breach at Veritas Genetics.
CVS Touts Health Hubs, Acquisition Of Aetna After Posting Higher-Than-Expected Third Quarter Profits
The health hubs have performed so well, CVS wants to roll out 1,500 by the end of 2021. Meanwhile, the unit that includes Aetna posted sales of $17.18 billion, helped by lower-than-expected medical costs.
As concerns mount over Google’s market power and gathering of health data, consumer groups and some lawmakers are calling for regulators to take a closer look. Google is looking for a stronger presence in wearables.
Google Jumps Into Fitness Tracking Business With $2.1B Fitbit Acquisition
The entry into the crowded field marks the latest effort by tech giants to secure a piece of the lucrative wearables marketplace.
“Facing a likely risk of being separated from their family members and a delay in obtaining a visa to which family members would otherwise be entitled is irreparable harm,” wrote Judge Michael Simon in U.S. District Court in Portland, Oregon of the Trump administration’s policy that would require new immigrants to show proof of health insurance or the means to afford it.
Insurers Found To Have Been Selling Illegal Health Plans In New Hampshire
The companies were selling plans under the rules that allow health sharing ministries to help members share costs between themselves. But regulators say they didn’t meet the requirements to be eligible for that exemption to the health law.
The tobacco giant wrote down its investment in Juul by more than a third, acknowledging that it hadn’t anticipated the regulatory pitfalls confronting the e-cigarette market. Altria hoped to tap the vaping market in the face of declining smoking rates and cigarette sales in the United States. Now the company is under investigation by the FTC over its role in the resignation of Juul’s former chief executive and his replacement by an Altria executive. Meanwhile, the total number of vaping-related lung disease cases continues to climb.
Lawsuit From Fired Juul Executive Claims Company Knowingly Shipped 1 Million Tainted Nicotine Pods
Siddharth Breja, a former senior vice president of global finance for Juul, filed a lawsuit on Tuesday based on claims that he was retaliated against for raising concerns about the contaminated shipment. Breja describes a “reckless” and “win-at-all costs” culture at Juul, primarily driven by the company’s former CEO, Kevin Burns, who was replaced in a management shake-up last month. A Juul spokesman said in a statement that the claims are “baseless.”
More Than 800 To Be Laid Off As Humana Looks To Cut 2% Of Workforce By End Of Year
Humana spokeswoman Kate Marx stated the company began evaluating its “work and cost structure” this year but didn’t say where cuts will be made. Other news on the health industry and systems looks at: hospices, acquisitions, hospitals, new clinics, and more.
New Facebook Tool Encourages Preventive Health Screenings, Helps Consumers Track Decisions
But in the era where many are hesitant about Facebook’s privacy protections, the success of the new health tool might rely on how much the company can soothe those fears.
Walgreens To Close 157 In-Store Clinics With Eye On Re-Shaping Position In Health Care Landscape
The clinics faced increasing competition with the rise in telemedicine. Walgreens also announced it will be partnering with Jenny Craig to offer on-site weight-loss consultations.
Although Fitbit helped pioneer the wearables craze, it’s been struggling as other high-tech gadgets flood the marketplace.
Former Chairman Of Powerful Energy And Commerce Committee Rep. Walden Won’t Seek Re-Election
Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.) played a key role in the Republicans’ efforts to repeal and replace the health law when they had control of the House.
The company, which has been covering sex-reassignment surgery since 2012, decided to expand coverage in 2018 to include transition-related procedures that are considered cosmetic, such as breast reduction or augmentation surgery, facial feminization, voice therapy and hormonal therapy.
