Latest KFF Health News Stories
Viewpoints: Funding CHIP Is ‘Only Half The Job’; Scientists And The Fear Of Crispr
A selection of opinions on health care issues from around the country.
Perspectives: Price Controls Cripple Our Chances At Creating Innovative Drugs
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
News outlets report on stories related to pharmaceutical pricing.
Media outlets report on news from Georgia, California, Missouri, Wisconsin, California, New York, Texas, Florida and Minnesota.
N.J. Governor Eases Regulations On Medical Marijuana
Gov. Philip D. Murphy criticized predecessor Chris Christie’s tight restrictions before signing an executive order to expand access to the drug. “The system we have inherited can best be described as medical marijuana in name only,” said Murphy, who campaigned on the issue. News on marijuana comes out of Vermont, California, Texas and Wyoming as well.
Comprehensive Study On E-Cigarettes Touts Benefits To Smokers, Warns Of Dangers To Teens
The topic of whether e-cigarettes are a stepping stone to cigarettes has been hotly debated over recent years. In other public health news: PTSD, obesity, smartphones, and mental health.
‘It’s Time For Big Pharma To Pay For What They’ve Done’: NYC Mayor Sues Companies Over Opioid Crisis
Mayor Bill de Blasio is just the latest state official to try to fight the epidemic through the court system.
Drugmakers Have ‘Tremendous Potential’ In War Against Superbugs, But They’re Not Doing Enough
A new report finds that those in the pharmaceutical industry are making progress in the fight against superbugs, but “every company can do more.”
Hospital, Physician Groups Wary But Curious About CMS’ Bundled-Pay Model
Under the initiative, organizations enter into payment arrangements that include financial and performance accountability for episodes of care.
Activist Shareholders Granted More Power As Tenet Changes Its Bylaws
The county’s third-largest investor-owned hospital company is allowing its shareholders to call meetings. The move is part of a broader trend in the industry to give more control to shareholders.
Working Americans Are Using Less Health Care And Yet Paying Significantly More, Report Finds
In many other businesses, declining demand would cause prices to drop, but that “common sense” doesn’t always apply to health care, says Niall Brennan, president of Health Care Cost Institute, which released the report.
Families Who Depend On Health Law Look Back At Roller Coaster Of A Year
For some, 2017 meant constantly having the news turned on in different parts of the house just to make sure they didn’t miss any developments on the health care debate. “It was a stressful time. It was, is this going to be bill that kills the ACA, and what will that mean for the people who live and work here in Kansas City?” said Jerry Jones, executive director of the Community Health Council of Wyandotte County.
In Oregon, Voter Referendum Backs Taxes To Pay For State’s Medicaid Program
In an unusual special election, Oregon voters have approved health care taxes on Oregon’s largest hospitals and many health insurance policies that will raise between $210 million and $320 million in revenue over two years.
Some GOP Officials May Move Toward Medicaid Expansion Now That Work Requirements Are Allowed
The decision by the Trump administration to allow states to implement work requirements for non-disabled adults enrolled in Medicaid may help some conservatives agree to expand the program. In other Medicaid news, a top federal official is leaving the government, New York plans to allow Dreamers to stay in the program, Democratic lawmakers in Virginia back down from a confrontation, a report finds problems in oversight in Illinois and Kansas considers a rule change.
Seven Democratic Senators Buck Party Lines To Help Advance HHS Nominee Alex Azar
The Senate is poised to take up Alex Azar’s nomination this week. Democrats have aired their concerns about the nominee’s ties to the pharmaceutical industry, but it is likely that he’ll easily secure the needed votes to take up the reins of the Department of Health and Human Services.
Public Health Agencies Left ‘Treading Water’ With Each Short-Term Spending Plan From Congress
At all levels of the government — local, state and federal — agencies are left “in suspended animation” as Congress prolongs the funding debate. Meanwhile, as advocates of the Children’s Health Insurance Program breathe a sigh of relief over their extension, community health clinics are still on edge.
Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) noted that the current flu situation, while harsher than in some previous years, “doesn’t come close to pandemic.” Media outlets report on the virus out of the Washington, D.C. area, North Carolina, Ohio and California.
First Edition: January 24, 2018
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Hospitals’ Best-Laid Plans Upended By Disaster
An onslaught of fires, shootings and storms across the country last year tested hospital readiness. Now, leaders are using their experiences to address shortcomings that surfaced amid the chaos.
Viewpoints: A Path To Treating Opioid Abuse; The Hazards Of Right-To-Try Laws
Opinion writers from around the country weigh in on a range of health care issues.