Health Care Delivery

This week in managed care Kentucky elected a new governor who could bring big changes to the state's Medicaid program, researchers reported that costs of dementia in the last 5 years of life surpass even cancer, and the latest Hospital Safety Score report was released.

When accountable care organizations first started forming, the country thought it would be easier than it has been, but finding the right partner is crucial, said Pam Halvorson, regional vice president of clinic operations with Trinity Pioneer ACO.

The Supreme Court has decided to hear a challenge from religious nonprofits who say the Affordable Care Act's requirement to provide birth control violates their religious beliefs.

What we're reading, November 6, 2015: Americans want more aggressive measures to keep healthcare costs in check; the uninsured rate fell to 9% in the first half of 2015; and the federal government warns against restricting access to pricey hepatitis C drugs.

Nearly 15% of federal marketplace insurance plans completely lack in-network physicians for at least one specialty.

Physicians broadly mistrust healthcare insurers and believe they interfere with their ability to provide high-quality patient care

Departing Governor Steve Beshear's full embrace of the Affordable Care Act brought health coverage to 500,000 people in Kentucky, including many who had never had insurance. Preventive services increased by more than 100%.

What we're reading, November 4, 2015: drug deaths become the next big 2016 presidential campaign issue; and Blue Shield of California and Anthem Blue Cross receive large fines for misleading information about Affordable Care Act Plans.

What we're reading, November 2, 2015: third open enrollment under the Affordable Care Act kicks off; common medical tests are being done inaccurately; and hospitals and the government settle over cardiac device implants.

With the expansion, UnitedHealthcare will bring 5 more oncology practices on board to participate in its bundled program, which will grow the program to 650 oncologists across 7 states.

What we're reading, October 29, 2015: Fewer health plans will be available on HealthCare.gov in 2016; PBMs cut ties with pharmacy connected to Valeant; and emergency departments are dissatisfied with electronic health record interoperability.

Highlights from this week's news about the big transaction between 2 retail pharmacy giants.

What we're reading, October 28, 2015: Ben Carson plans to replace the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid, and Medicare; a homeless shelter utilizes telemedicine to alleviate emergency department visits; and researchers uncover gender gap in post-heart attack treatment.

What we're reading, October 27, 2015: a much-improved Healthcare.gov website, report says drug prices rose at a much slower rate in 2015, and USPSTF recommends glucose testing in asymptomatic adults who are overweight or obese.