Latest KFF Health News Content

Latest KFF Health News Stories

USC’s Board Of Trustees Feeling The Heat After Supporting University’s President Amid Gynecologist Controversy

Morning Briefing

There’s been a growing cry for President C.L. Max Nikias to step down after it was revealed USC had known for years about misconduct allegations against the campus’ longtime gynecologist. But, “trustees believe Max Nikias, given the right circumstances, is the right person to lead this institution,” one member said.

Despite Fertility Apps’ Rising Popularity, Critics Say They’re Just A Fancy Twist On Decades-Old Rhythm Method

Morning Briefing

More and more young women are relying on the technology, but is it effective as contraception? Some experts are skeptical. In other health technology news: the future of artificial intelligence, and a swallow-able sensor to check your digestive health.

In Era Where Overdoses Are Treated As Homicides, It’s Not Just Dealers Who Prosecutors Are Going After

Morning Briefing

Friends and family are now being held criminally responsible for the deaths. Critics of the tactic say a focus on prosecution misses the point. “It’s kind of like blaming the leaves on the tree, you know?” said Michael Malcolm, whose younger son was charged in the overdose death of his older brother with whom he shared drugs purchased on the internet. “What about the roots?”

Medicaid Expansion Proposal Takes One Step Closer To Getting On Ballot In Idaho

Morning Briefing

Proponents say they gathered enough signatures to get the measure before voters in November, but officials still have to review them to make sure they’re legitimate. Medicaid news comes out of Virginia, Minnesota and Florida, as well.

Providers Hopeful That Generics Drug Company Led By Hospitals Will Shake Up Status Quo

Morning Briefing

“This is going to take a lot of focus and money to get something like this off the ground,” said Graham Triggs, director of professional services at Reaction Data. “But if they can, dozens of providers are saying they will follow suit, either by teaming up or doing something on their own.”

Pfizer Settles With U.S. Over Practice Of Using Charity To Pay Kickbacks To Medicare Patients

Morning Briefing

“Pfizer used a third party to saddle Medicare with extra costs,” U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling said in a statement. “Pfizer knew that the third-party foundation was using Pfizer’s money to cover the co-pays of patients taking Pfizer drugs, thus generating more revenue for Pfizer and masking the effect of Pfizer’s price increases.”

Abortion Group To Pump Millions Into Winning Back House: We Were ‘Built For This Moment’

Morning Briefing

NARAL’s “Majority Maker” program, the largest spending plan in the group’s history, will specifically target GOP House members who have voted for anti-abortion bills that have flown under the radar, usually because they failed to pass the Senate.

Reigniting Health Law Repeal Just Before Midterms? It Might Not Be That Far-Fetched.

Morning Briefing

Some Republican lawmakers, worried about Democrats using the health law as a winning issue, want to take another stab at repeal to show voters they haven’t given up on it. Others don’t want to touch the volatile topic with a ten-foot pole. Meanwhile, states are sounding the alarm over association health plans allowed by the Trump administration, saying they’re magnets for scam artists.

First Edition: May 25, 2018

Morning Briefing

NOTE TO READERS: KHN’s First Edition will not be published May 28. Look for it again in your inbox May 29. Here’s today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.

Podcast: KHN’s ‘What The Health?’ Campaign Promises Kept, Plus ‘Nerd Reports’

KFF Health News Original

In this episode of KHN’s “What the Health?” Julie Rovner of Kaiser Health News, Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times, Sarah Kliff of Vox and Alice Ollstein of Talking Points Memo discuss a proposed administration regulation that seeks to separate Planned Parenthood from federal family planning funds, the final congressional passage of legislation aimed at helping those with terminal illnesses obtain experimental medications, and new government reports on the uninsured and federal health spending. Also, Rovner interviews KHN’s Liz Szabo about the May “Bill of the Month.”