Latest KFF Health News Stories
The new $5,850 a year price tag is still higher than cost-effectiveness watchdogs recommend, but it’s a big drop from the original $14,000 a year. Sales never took off for the drug, in part because patients balked at the cost. Meanwhile, FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb sounds an alarm over pricey new cancer treatments.
The lack of advance notice left the agencies scrambling to deal with the increase in detained children, according to a new GAO report. The findings also note that the absence of a central database for the migrants was a key factor in complicating and slowing the reunification of families.
New Single-Dose Flu Medication Approved By FDA After Last Year’s Vicious Season
The treatment is the first new influenza drug with a novel mechanism of action that the FDA has approved in nearly 20 years. If patients see their doctors within 48 hours of symptom onset one dose of Xofluza may significantly reduce the duration of flu symptoms.
The massive package to try to address the national opioid epidemic was a rare bipartisan accomplishment by Congress this year. But many advocates, while saying it’s a good first step, also predict that it’s not nearly enough to make a significant dent in the crisis. More news on the battle against drugs comes out of West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Missouri and Maryland.
The Associated Press offers some tips for both small-business owners and individuals who need to sign up for health coverage through state exchanges this year.
Medicaid Expansion Is On The Nebraska Ballot, But Some Wonder How Much It Would Actually Help
Making more people eligible for Medicaid may not help all rural providers, because it isn’t clear whether enough patients in isolated rural counties would sign up for coverage if the state cuts reimbursement or enacts provider taxes. News from the election comes from California, Georgia and Connecticut, as well.
The topic has been a trouble spot for Republicans on the trail and now President Donald Trump is trying to frame his party as the one that will keep preexisting conditions protections in place. At the same time, he and Republicans are backing a lawsuit that would overturn the health law, and all of its popular provisions.
Trump Plans To Curb High Drug Prices By Overhauling How Medicare Pays For Medications
President Donald Trump will speak today about the proposal, described to Politico by three individuals with knowledge of it. The Trump administration will say that Medicare could save more than $17 billion over five years, but officials also expect blowback from the industry and hospitals.
First Edition: October 25, 2018
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
In Days Of Data Galore, Patients Have Trouble Getting Own Medical Records
Federal law guarantees that people have the right to see and obtain a copy of their medical records. But, hospitals, doctors, pharmacies and insurance companies often erect obstacles.
Booming Economy Helps Flatten Medicaid Enrollment And Limit Costs, States Report
The drop in the number of people enrolled in the federal-state program for low-income residents is the first since 2007.
Opinion writers focus on these health topics and others.
Editorial pages focus on these health care topics and others.
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Pharma Constructing Battle Plan If Worst Fears Are Realized And Democrats Take The House
News outlets report on stories related to pharmaceutical pricing.
Media outlets report on news from Texas, New York, New Hampshire, Georgia, California, Ohio, Maryland, Oregon, D.C., Kansas and Illinois.
Citing Safety Of Roundup Weedkiller, Monsanto Commits To Long Legal Fight Against Lawsuits
After a judge rejected the company’s request Monday to reverse a lawsuit alleging the herbicide causes cancer, the pharmaceutical giant announced it will appeal and cited its experience in fighting mass lawsuits.
Juul’s Lobbying Spending Skyrockets 400 Percent Amid Government Crack Down On E-Cigarettes
Juul is facing increasing oversight from the FDA, which has made teens’ use of e-cigarettes a top priority in recent months. Meanwhile, a study finds that a device that heats tobacco products — which is being touted as safer than traditional cigarettes — carries no less harm.
Medical Crowdfunding Culture Is Booming, But It’s Also Opening Door To False Hope And Scams
Scientists are concerned that the crowdfunding economy is normalizing unproven and risky treatments that are designed to take advantage of patients in desperate need to cures.
Severe Viral Outbreak At A New Jersey Pediatric Center Leaves 6 Children Dead, 12 Others Infected
The New Jersey Department of Health said it is conducting an investigation at the center, which has been cited in the past for health code violations and had a two-out-of-five star rating on health inspections from CMS.