Latest KFF Health News Stories
Medicare Beneficiaries Would Be Able To Share In Rebates From Drugmakers Under Trump’s Plan
President Donald Trump is also proposing to expand Medicare’s “catastrophic” drug benefit so that many seniors with very high costs would not face copayments.
Enrollment Numbers For State-Run Vs. Federal Exchanges Reveal A Great Divide
States that run their own exchanges tend to want them to succeed so they invest time and energy into getting people to sign up. Meanwhile, the Trump administration approached the enrollment period as if the health law has failed. The enrollment numbers from the year reflect those different mentalities.
In the early hours of Friday morning the House passed a spending deal to very quickly reverse a government shutdown that was triggered at midnight. The bill includes many of the Democrats’ top health care priorities, but they had to compromise in some places as well.
First Edition: February 9, 2018
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Upsurge Of Suburban Poor Discover Health Care’s Nowhere Land
More low-income people now live in suburbs than in cities or rural areas, putting a strain on local health services. Suburbs, which traditionally have had fewer resources or infrastructure, are scrambling to catch up.
Cambiando la forma en que vemos la demencia
Un movimiento llamado Dementia Friend’s busca erradicar el estigma asociado al Alzheimer y a la demencia, con información y testimonios de vida.
Viewpoints: Time To Be ‘Freaking Out’ About CDC Budget; Medicaid Work Requirements Are Unlawful
Opinion writers highlight these health issues and others.
Longer Looks: A $10,000 Injection; Babe Ruth’s Cancer Treatment; And The Science of ‘Man Colds’
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Media outlets report on news from New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Minnesota, Kansas, Florida, California, Arizona and Ohio.
Oregon Hospital Reverses ‘Archaic Transplant Policy’ After Undocumented Woman Denied A Liver
When Silvia Lesama-Santos could not produce documents to show she was in the country legally she was denied a transplant through the Oregon Health and Science University. The decision immediately received backlash as being “cruel and inhumane,” leading to the facility to change its policy.
Getting To The Olympics Takes Years Of Training And Dedication … For These Doctors
Getting onto the crew of medical personnel that care for the Olympic athletes isn’t easy, nor is it paid. But for the doctors, getting a taste of Olympic glory, even if it’s just vicarious, is worth it.
Researchers study how people react to a large political shift, and whether they exhibit psychical symptoms of depression. In other public health news: the human genome, suicide, bacteria in hospitals, breast cancer and dementia.
In Midst Of Flu Season That’s Hit Kids Hard, Here’s What To Look Out For As A Parent
“The trick with the flu is that it happens very quickly,” said Dr. Flor M. Munoz. “You have to be really paying attention. Things can progress within 48 hours or so.” Media outlets report on flu news out of Texas, Florida and Wisconsin, as well.
The Government Accountability Office recommends more federal guidance from the Department of Health and Human Services on what states and hospitals should do when it comes to infants affected by the opioid crisis, but the agency says it’s doing enough. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump in recent speeches seems to be focusing on law enforcement over treatment to curb epidemic.
Abortion Debates Ramp Up in Many States; Planned Parenthood Begins Search For Next President
While Mississippi’s House recently passed the strictest bill on record, banning abortions more than 15 months after contraception, other states eye limits for certain fetal conditions. Meanwhile, former Planned Parenthood board member Anna Quindlen is tagged to lead the search to replace Cecile Richards.
Strong Medicare Advantage Growth Helps Humana Beat Q4 Revenue Projections
The insurer’s revenue, driven largely by Medicare Advantage premiums, grew 3.8 percent to $10.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2017.
Iowa Lawmaker Introduces Medicaid Work Requirement Bill
The Trump administration is encouraging states to pursue such requirements, though critics of a work mandate say most adults on Medicaid already work or are too disabled or sick to do so.
HHS Reiterates ‘Commitment’ To Family Planning Program Amid Months-Long Delays In Grant Approvals
Family planning providers have been worried the delay signals that the Trump administration is no longer in support of the Title X program, which helps fund reproductive health services for low-income women.
House Changes To ‘Right To Try’ Legislation May Bog Down Chances In Senate
The original bill on experimental drugs passed the Senate by unanimous consent, but some House lawmakers eye modifications in its version. Meanwhile, a U.S. attorney considers reopening a federal investigation of Allergan’s drug marketing practices.
Health Law Enrollment Drops Only Slightly Following Tumultuous, Topsy-Turvy Year
Total signups slid by 3.7 percent, which was a much lower drop-off than most experts initially predicted. Meanwhile, states that ran their own exchanges far outperformed those that relied on the federal marketplace.