Latest KFF Health News Stories
‘I’ve Never Been This Busy’: As Marketplace Deadline Nears, Navigators Feel The Pinch
With less federal funding and marketing, local groups are feeling the pressure to keep up enrollment in the plans offered through the federal health law’s marketplace.
Dangling A Carrot For Patients To Take Healthy Steps: Does It Work?
Many medical groups and state Medicaid programs are offering gift cards, cash and other rewards to low-income patients if they agree to get preventive screenings and make healthier lifestyle choices.
‘Rock Star’ Navigator On Mission To Clear Health Insurance Hurdles For Vietnamese
In Texas, the uninsured rate among Vietnamese immigrants is nearly double the national rate. Navigators there are working to reverse that.
CVS-Aetna Merger A Bid To Bring Down Costs, Gain Competitive Edge
What will the mega-merger mean for consumers and the health care industry? Senior correspondent Chad Terhune offers insight.
Deciden bajar sus salarios para poder tener seguro a través del Obamacare
Para este matrimonio de Tennessee, la diferencia de salario significó tener una prima de $87, frente a una anterior de $2,100.
CHIP: sigue en peligro atención médica de 9 millones de niños
Varios estados se quedarán pronto sin fondos para el Programa de Seguro de Salud Infantil (CHIP) si el Congreso no aprueba una nueva refinanciación.
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Media outlets report on news from California, Florida, New York, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Minnesota, Ohio, Maryland, Georgia, Texas and Iowa.
When It Comes To Chemo, What Does Not Kill Cancer Makes It Stronger, New Study Confirms
But doctors aren’t saying don’t seek treatment, and the study might offer a way out of the conundrum. In other public health news: red wine, Tylenol and emotional pain; cancer gene tests; HIV; migraines; and more.
Uterine Transplant Program Hits Major Milestone With First Baby Born In U.S.
The successful delivery of the baby gives hope to millions of women who struggle with infertility. The transplant is only meant to be temporary, kept in just long enough for the woman to conceive one or two children.
Advocates For Those Recovering From Opioid Addiction Fear Consequences Of Medicaid Work Requirements
Red states that have been particularly hard hit by the opioid epidemic are also the ones rushing to add work requirements to their Medicaid programs. But critics say that could backfire for those who are seeking help recovering from addiction. In other news on the crisis: Kratom bans; how cartels are getting drugs into the country; limiting opioids in court; programs to get hospital patients directly into treatment; and more.
Senate Panel Adds $1 Billion To VA Funding For Private Care For Patients
The funding boost was not publicized by leaders of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee. In addition, two members of the House are hoping to stop VA researchers from running tests on dogs.
Even As Patients Assume More Health Costs, Price Details Difficult To Find
Although consumers are often counseled to shop around for cheaper health care, the effort is challenging because of the lack of price transparency. Meanwhile in other news about insurance and the health law, media outlets in Iowa and Connecticut report that enrollment is going well there, but another report points out the extremes that some people must go to when hoping to keep affordable coverage.
Maine Voters’ Support For Medicaid Expansion Emboldens Other States
Efforts to overcome resistance to the Obamacare program are being revived in Nebraska, Idaho, Utah and Virginia. Also, Democrats in Kansas would like to block state action that ties the next governor’s hands on changing the privatized Medicaid program, and companies are eager to compete for Florida’s program.
Coordinated Care, Choice And Health Costs — The Myriad Challenges Of The U.S. Medical System
New outlets detail a range of dynamics within the health care system that can help and hinder patients ability to access affordable care.
Together, the companies touch most of the basic health services that people regularly use, and the merger could keep the transactions under one roof instead of spread out over multiple industry players.
Congress Still Dragging Feet Over CHIP: They’re ‘Playing Politics With Our Kids’ Health Care’
Lawmakers have included a provision to fund the program until the end of the year in a stopgap spending plan, but many states scramble in the meantime as money starts to run out.
Following Tax Victory, Republicans Start Eyeing Medicare
Republican leaders have been champing at the bit to cut government programs such as Medicare, and critics are now worried they’ll use swelling deficits created by the GOP tax bill as an excuse to go after the programs.
Individual Mandate Repeal Included In Senate Tax Bill Despite Dire Warnings About Market Instability
The House — which did not include repeal of the individual mandate — and the Senate still need to reconcile their versions of the tax legislation, but Republicans have been in favor of getting rid of the requirement since it was passed so it’s likely it will make it in the final law.
First Edition: December 4, 2017
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.