Latest KFF Health News Content

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Artificial Intelligence May Not Be Living Up To Initial Hype But It Is Becoming Crucial Part Of Health Care

Morning Briefing

The improvements are more subtle than early visions of AI curing cancer, but experts say changes are benefiting patients. In other public health news: cancer drugs, anxiety, e-cigarettes, fatal falls, kidney stones, and more.

Feeling Marginalized In Massive Opioid Lawsuit, Native Americans Request Own Day In Court

Morning Briefing

Native American tribes are among those the opioid epidemic has hit the hardest, though scant attention has been paid to how the crisis is ripping through their communities. At least 20 tribes have formally sued opioid manufacturers and distributors, with at least 10 more suits expected to be filed soon. In other news on the crisis: discarded syringes; staffing shortages’ effects on regulating opioids coming into the country; the impact of the epidemic on rural communities; and more.

Position That Native Americans Aren’t Exempt From Work Requirements Has Little Support Outside HHS’ Legal Office

Morning Briefing

New enthusiasm for adding work requirements to states’ Medicaid program is running headlong into Native American rights. HHS’ legal office has made the judgment that exempting Native Americans from the rules would be an illegal racial preference. But some other agency officials and Republicans in Congress don’t share that view. Meanwhile, one GOP lawmaker is calling for mandatory work requirements for all Medicaid beneficiaries.

Tennessee Bill Will Allow Drug Companies To Market Their Products For Off-Label Uses

Morning Briefing

Pharmaceutical companies traditionally have been restricted from distributing information about off-label uses to doctors, which they say is a violation of free speech. Critics, however, are worried that more freedom for the drugmakers could jeopardize patient safety.

‘Yesterday Was Not A Good Day For Novartis’: CEO Tries To Soothe Anger Over $1.2M Contract With Trump’s Lawyer

Morning Briefing

More details are emerging over what the drug company paid to try to gain insight into President Donald Trump’s health strategy. CEO Vasant Narasimhan wrote to employees that he understood they felt “disappointed and frustrated.”

Short-Term Plans Are Same Ones Obama Had For Eight Years, HHS Secretary Says In Face Of Criticism

Morning Briefing

Democrats say the Trump administration’s proposal to extend short-term plans will weaken the marketplace by allowing healthy people to buy coverage that’s not compliant with the health law. But HHS Secretary Alex Azar says it’s just returning to a status quo that only changed in 2017. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump hints the White House has some “great health plans” coming out in the next few weeks, but didn’t go into details.