Latest KFF Health News Stories
HHS To Create Conscience Division To Support Health Workers Who Morally Object To Certain Procedures
The division would help legally insulate doctors, nurses and other health care personnel from performing procedures they may object to due to religious or moral reasons — such as abortions or caring for transgender patients.
Senate Panel Approves Azar Nomination Despite Democrats’ Concerns Over His Ties To Pharma Industry
The 15-12 vote mostly fell along party lines. If confirmed by the full Senate, Alex Azar will return to the Department of Health and Human Services, this time to take up the helm.
Health Care Issues Being Used As Bargaining Chips For Both Sides As Congress Tries To Avoid Shutdown
A six-year extension of funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program has been included in a short-term funding bill to try to woo the Democrats, while a delay of certain Affordable Care Act taxes was included to sway Republicans. But Thursday morning, President Donald Trump tweeted that he doesn’t think CHIP should be part of short-term solution. House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) says he’s confident he’ll have the votes to pass the stopgap legislation by the time it gets to the floor. Media outlets offer a look at what else lawmakers are pushing to have included, and give perspective on what would happen to the industry if the government shuts down.
First Edition: January 18, 2018
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Home Care Agencies Often Wrongly Deny Medicare Help To The Chronically Ill
Agencies sometimes turn away Medicare beneficiaries with chronic health problems by incorrectly claiming Medicare won’t pay for their services, say patient advocates.
Con incentivos en cupones de alimentos, ayudan a latinos a comer más sano
A través de recompensas monetarias, el programa “Más Fresco” en California ayuda a las familias de bajos recursos a comprar productos más saludables.
Opinion writers weigh in on how new national and state policies are impacting health care.
A selection of opinions on health care from news outlets around the country.
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Drug Company’s Proposition: Pay For Pricey Drug In Installments Rather Than In One Go
News outlets report on stories related to pharmaceutical pricing.
Media outlets report on news from New Hampshire, Florida, Texas, Georgia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, Vermont and Illinois.
One Of Most Common Parasites In Country Is Also One Of Most Neglected
About five percent of the U.S. population has the parasite, but many doctors are unaware of the infection. In other public health news: prostate cancer, diabetes, health data, sneezing, and more.
Spike In Accidental Deaths In U.S. Attributed To Opioid Overdoses
The category, which includes accidental drug overdoses, saw a 10 percent uptick in 2016. Meanwhile, states are starting to open their Medicaid programs to covering alternative pain treatments in an effort to combat the opioid crisis.
FDA Pilot Program Designed To Increase Transparency Around Drug Rejection Letters
But Commissioner Scott Gottlieb is stopping far short of the full disclosure he called for before he took up the reins of the agency. In other news, the Food and Drug Administration and Pentagon are working to expedite approvals for devices and drugs that are used on the battlefield.
Anti-Abortion Advocates’ No. 1 Legislative Priority For 2018: A 20-Week Ban
“It’s an election year, so getting substantial stuff done from Congress is usually a stretch,” said Tom McClusky, vice president of government affairs with March for Life, which opposes abortion. “However, it is a good chance to bring up bills to highlight the differences between pro-lifers and those who are not.”
Health Sharing Ministries Offer Cheaper Plans Than ACA, But At What Cost?
Ministries have no guarantee of solvency and can reject claims that traditional insurance companies are barred from rejecting. They also have little, if any, government oversight. In addition, they drain the traditional marketplace of healthy people.
UnitedHealth Expects $1.7B Windfall From Republicans’ Tax Bill For Next Year
The country’s largest insurer says it will invest the money in new technology and local community-based health care initiatives.
Doctor Credits Genetics For Trump’s ‘Excellent’ Health, Dismisses Concerns Over Cognitive Decline
Dr. Ronny Jackson, who has served as the presidential physician since 2013, said he recommended President Donald Trump lose 10 to 15 pounds, who at 6 feet 3 inches tall with a body mass index of 29.9 is just shy of officially being obese.
The Trump administration aims to expand protections to workers who “morally” object to being involved with certain procedures or treatments with a proposed rule that’s been kept tightly guarded at the Department of Health and Human Services.
Shutdown Watch: Republicans Offer Democrats Six-Year CHIP Extension To Force Them To Table
The bill would set up another possible showdown in mid-February, with government funding set to expire Feb. 16, but it would give lawmakers room to negotiate on tricky topics like immigration.