Latest KFF Health News Stories
First Edition: September 27, 2018
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Will Congress Bring Sky-High Air Ambulance Bills Down To Earth?
Medevac helicopter companies are on the radar of an FAA funding bill likely to pass the House and Senate this week.
Threat To The ACA Turns Up The Heat On Attorney General Races
As Republican and Democratic attorneys general square off on a Texas case that threatens to dismantle consumer protections in the federal health law, campaigns across the country for states’ highest legal officer get hotter.
Medicare alivia sanciones por readmisiones en centros con pacientes de bajos ingresos
Siguiendo órdenes del Congreso, Medicare está aliviando sus multas anuales por readmisión en cientos de hospitales que brindan servicios a residentes de bajos ingresos.
Le cobran $56,603 por un traslado de emergencia en un helicóptero-ambulancia
Luego de un accidente con un vehículo todo terreno, este radiólogo de Texas no solo perdió su brazo izquierdo, sino la esperanza en el sistema de salud.
Editorial writers weigh in on this health topics and others.
Opinion writers express views about the health care insurance.
Perspectives: The Dream For Curing Cancer Now A Reality, But Costs Stand In The Way
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
News outlets report on stories related to pharmaceutical pricing.
Media outlets report on news from New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Virginia, California, Missouri, Louisiana, Minnesota, Florida, Michigan, Texas, Georgia and Virginia.
Ending HIV Transmissions In America Now Seen As An Attainable Goal Within The Span Of A Few Years
The tools exist, experts say, they just have to be put into action. In other public health news: racial disparities in health care quality, child abuse, appendicitis, shingles, c-sections, tuberculosis and more.
Because the sexually transmitted disease is treatable with penicillin, the CDC is recommending pregnant women get tested at their first prenatal appointment, possibly again in their third trimester and at the time of delivery. Untreated cases can result in stillbirths or the baby dying. News on the report comes out of Texas and Florida, also.
The Orlando Fire Department had been working for years ahead of the Pulse nightclub shooting toward an innovative approach where specialized teams of medics, guarded by police officers and wearing specially designed bulletproof vests, would pull out victims before a shooter is caught or killed. But the plan sputtered out.
The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center has come under fire for its exclusive deal with an artificial intelligence company that board members had a financial stake in.
CMS Urged To Reverse Course Over Site-Neutral Payment Policy For Off-Campus Hospital Facilities
The 60 percent rate cut proposed in the rule could mean a nearly $760 million hit to hospitals in 2019.
Medicaid Expansion Has Had ‘Dramatic Impact’ On Uninsured Rates In Rural Areas For Some States
“We knew Medicaid expansion was having a big impact in rural parts of our state but this report — it really sort of outlines how dramatic that impact has been,” said Adam Fox, director of strategic engagement for the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative.
Preexisting Conditions And ‘Medicare For All’ Emerge As Key Health Care Attack Points In Midterms
The two issues are hot topics for both sides’ ads as the 2018 midterm elections near. Meanwhile, Utah Senate candidate Mitt Romney say he doesn’t think a full expansion of Medicaid in the state is viable, but supports partial efforts.
Currently the air ambulance rides fall into a “regulatory blindspot” that leaves patients unprotected for bills ranging up to nearly $100,000. But with Congress working to reauthorize funding for the Federal Aviation Administration, lawmakers have tucked some provisions into the legislation that experts say might be a step in the right direction.
Following the news that HHS would terminate a small contract with a California biosciences firm came a larger announcement that the agency is going to launch a comprehensive review of all government-funded research that uses fetal tissue. Biomedical scientists were alarmed that the audit could lead to restrictions, saying fetal tissue has been vital in testing vaccines, exploring Parkinson’s disease treatments and understanding the transmission of HIV.
Key Republican Senator Urges Colleagues To Take Kavanaugh Accusations Seriously As Hearing Nears
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), who is eyed as a swing vote on the Supreme Court nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh, issued a warning that senators should not prejudge the allegations of Professor Christine Blasey Ford. Meanwhile, the battle heated up as President Donald Trump tried to discredit the second woman who spoke out against his nominee. And Republicans have obtained the services of outside counsel to aid in questioning Ford during Thursday’s hearing.