Latest KFF Health News Content

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Gubernatorial Candidates Banking On ‘Medicare For All’ Enthusiasm Instead Of Playing It Safe

Morning Briefing

Although the Democratic party is split on whether to champion a progressive idea that could make candidates vulnerable to attack from Republicans, many on the trail are being vocal about their support for “Medicare for All.”

In Weary Post-Storm Puerto Rico, Medicaid Cutbacks Bode New Ills

KFF Health News Original

The island’s government must squeeze $840.2 million in annual savings from Medicaid by 2023, part of the U.S. territory’s agreement with the federal government as Puerto Rico claws its way back from fiscal oblivion. Experts warn such drastic cuts defy actuarial science.

Privacy Guidelines For Genetic-Testing Sites Touted As ‘Step Forward,’ But They Don’t Address De-Identified DNA

Morning Briefing

Samples that are stripped of any identifying details are extremely lucrative to pharmaceutical companies and other medical organizations, but the consumers have no way of knowing when their data is used. In other public health news: birth defects, Ebola, scooter injuries, brain surgery, and more.

FDA Had ‘Fox Guarding The Henhouse’ When It Came To Regulating Powerful Class Of Fentanyl

Morning Briefing

The agency entrusted enforcement of the drugs to the companies that were making them, documents show. “People were getting hurt — and the FDA sat by and watched this happen,” Dr. Andrew Kolodny, an opioid policy researcher at Brandeis University, tells The New York Times. Meanwhile, under pressure, another pharmaceutical wholesaler agrees to boost oversight of its opioid distribution.

Trump Administration Puts Burden On ACLU To Locate Deported Parents Of Separated Children

Morning Briefing

The American Civil Liberties Union is pushing back, saying that the White House’s “unconstitutional separation practice” precipitated the crisis and that the federal government has far more resources than non-governmental organizations to find the parents.

Bipartisan Majority Knocks Down Cruz’s Attempt To Kill D.C.’s Version Of Individual Mandate

Morning Briefing

Following the defeat of the measure, Mayor Muriel Bowser said, “Senator Ted Cruz — who otherwise loathes federal government intrusion — launched the most recent attempt to undermine the will of Washingtonians, and we are grateful that a bipartisan majority in the Senate tabled his amendment.” News on the health law comes out of Missouri and Illinois also.

Major Cities Sue Trump Claiming President Is Failing To Uphold His Constitutional Duty To Enforce Health Law

Morning Briefing

Baltimore, Chicago, Cincinnati and Columbus filed the suit, pointing to President Donald Trump’s own words that he is trying to kill the Affordable Care Act. Legal experts say the cities are unlikely to succeed in their suit.