Latest KFF Health News Stories
First Gene-Silencing Drug Approved By FDA — And It Comes With An Eye-Popping Price Tag
Slicing genes with drugs is the latest in a wave of hot new treatments geared toward fighting diseases in unique ways. But the price on innovation is steep. In other news, the FDA plans to streamline drug safety evaluations and a super PAC goes after Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) over the money she’s taken from the pharmaceutical industry.
Powerful Health Care Players Gear Up To Push Back Against Single-Payer In Case ‘Blue Wave’ Hits Hard
Industry players who usually don’t work together are bonding over the potential push for a single-payer system, which has become a litmus test among progressive Democrats.
The Mar-a-Lago group is led by the reclusive chairman of Marvel Entertainment, Isaac Perlmutter, 75, a longtime friend of Mr. Trump’s and a member of his West Palm Beach golf club. Veterans advocates are worried that the group is going to exert pressure on new VA Secretary Robert Wilkie.
Politico found that in 1 out of 5 states, top public health officials are not subject to any disclosure for financial holdings. This explains why Indiana Surgeon General Jerome Adams’ financial stake in tobacco and pharmaceutical stocks wasn’t publicly known until he was picked for a federal position.
Ground Opposition Against Kavanaugh Sputters As Midterms Take The Spotlight
The fight to block Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh seemed like it was going to be the battle of the year, but Democrats’ political enthusiasm is waning. Meanwhile, Kavanaugh’s confirmation hearings have been set to start Sept. 4.
Short-Term Plans Allowed By Trump Not Being Embraced By State Insurance Commissioners
“These policies are substandard, don’t cover essential health benefits, and consumers at a minimum don’t understand [what they’re buying], and at worse are misled,” California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones said. Health law news comes out of Tennessee, as well.
One in six hospital patients in the United States is now treated in a Catholic facility, but most facilities provide little information on procedures they won’t perform, such as a tubal ligation to prevent further pregnancies.
How A Chris Collins’ Obsession With A Small Australian Biotech Firm Upended His Career
Rep. Chris Collins (R-N.Y.) announced over the weekend that he would not be seeking reelection. Collins faces insider-trading charges following his involvement with Innate Immunotherapeutics, a tiny biotech firm. The New York Times looks at the actions that landed the three-term congressman in legal trouble.
Administration Optimistic It Can Sidestep Judge’s Ruling On Kentucky Medicaid Work Requirements
The judge blocked Kentucky’s attempt to add work requirements to its Medicaid program because officials had failed to consider the estimate that it would cause 95,000 low-income people to lose coverage. Now, Trump administration officials say that if they provide a fuller record showing that they considered the evidence that they’ll be able to move forward.
A Green Card Or Health Care? Possible Trump Proposal Could Make Legal Immigrants Have To Choose
Experts are most worried about the way the rule, which would expand the definition of “public charge,” will affect children’s health. The proposal is set to include: children’s health insurance; Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Plan (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps); Supplemental Nutritional Program for Women, Infants and Children, known as WIC; tax credits for low- to moderate-income families; and housing and transit subsidies.
First Edition: August 13, 2018
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Medicaid Officials Target Home Health Aides’ Union Dues
Federal officials are proposing a rule to prohibit home health aides paid directly by Medicaid from having their dues for the powerful Service Employees International Union automatically deducted from their paychecks. The effort would likely mean those workers are far less likely to pay dues and could diminish the union’s influence.
Advances In Treating Hep C Lead To New Option For Transplant Patients
The opioid epidemic has increased the number of donated organs. Until recently, though, organs from donors who died of drug overdoses were often discarded because an estimated 30 percent of them were infected with hepatitis C.
Must-Reads Of The Week From Brianna Labuskes
Newsletter editor Brianna Labuskes wades through hundreds of health articles from the week so you don’t have to.
Viewpoints: Lessons On Rising Obesity Rates; Warning Signs About Driving While Stoned
Opinion writers focus on these health topics and others.
Editorial pages focus on issues centering on health care programs.
Research Roundup: Single Payer; Health Care Sharing Ministries; And Heart Health
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Media outlets report on news from California, New York, Michigan, Kansas, Florida, Ohio, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Texas.
Why Does Spinal Surgery Cost $12,326 At One Hospital And $80,518 At Another In The Same State?
A deep dive into prices at Minnesota’s hospitals reveals wide disparities in what procedures cost, but leaves more questions than answers in its wake.
The government pledged in a new report on the tragedy to invest more than $100 billion in upgrades for infrastructure and health care, noting, “The hurricanes’ devastating effects on people’s health and safety cannot be overstated.”