Latest KFF Health News Stories
Also in the news, 19 Democratic state attorneys general say the Trump administration’s plan to roll back the requirement for employers to include birth control in their health plans is unconstitutional.
A Detailed Look At Who Benefits From Tax Bill’s Repeal Of Individual Mandate
The New York Times provides a statistical guide to the people who opt to forego insurance and pay a penalty instead. Also in news about insurance coverage, one paper explores how sometimes an income drop can help make coverage more affordable and save money, and another insurer moves into the venture capital market.
HHS Nominee Alex Azar Heads To Hill To Face Questions On Pharma Ties, Health Law Views
President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services will answer senators’ questions Wednesday during his first confirmation hearing. Drug pricing and Obamacare are expected to top the subject list.
Wisconsin could lose as much as $115 million a year that provides health coverage to about 118,000 children in the state. Meanwhile, in Texas, congressional inaction would result in the termination of coverage for nearly a half a million kids.
As a Senate panel moves the Republicans’ tax plan forward, Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) says support for eliminating the Affordable Care Act’s individual mandate is solidifying. And President Donald Trump signals openness to paying subsidies to help lower-income Americans buy health coverage to gain the backing of key lawmaker Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine). Meanwhile, other health items still on the agenda are stacking up.
University Was Tipped Off To Possible Unauthorized Trials Of Herpes Vaccine
Southern Illinois University has concluded its researcher violated university rules and U.S. law.
First Edition: November 29, 2017
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
The Ratcheting Price Of The Pneumococcal Vaccine: What Gives?
The price for Pfizer’s Prevnar 13 has increased 5 to 6 percent each year since its 2010 approval by the Food and Drug Administration.
Teaching Teens The Perils Of Pot As Marketplace Grows
The legalization of recreational marijuana in California and other states poses an added challenge for drug education programs targeting youths.
Doctors Make Big Money Testing Urine For Drugs, Then Ignore Abnormal Results
Medicare and insurers struggle to oversee a booming business in testing urine samples. In some cases, pain doctors’ lack of follow-through can turn fatal.
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Media outlets report on news from California, Georgia, Colorado, Florida, Tennessee, Texas, Minnesota, Iowa and Indiana.
Gene Treatment Touted As Miraculous, Revolutionary Faces One Big Obstacle
Disabled viruses are a key component of the therapy that may hold the power to cure genetic diseases with a single treatment. But those viruses are costly and hard to obtain. In other public health news: work travel and health problems; the difference between listening to someone’s argument versus reading it; therapy for sexual misconduct; and more.
One Stepfather’s Quest: The Search For An Opioid That Won’t Lead To Addiction
Bill Crossman’s interest has been captured by a drug that binds to three opioid receptors instead of one and is intended to be superior to the sorts of painkillers that have played a central role in a growing national drug epidemic. Meanwhile, a recent study confirms that prescribing practices have contributed greatly to the crisis.
Following Court Ruling, Arkansas Terminates Planned Parenthood’s Medicaid Funding Again
A panel in August vacated a preliminary injunction against the state’s 2015 decision to cut off funds. A full court earlier this month said it would not reconsider that decision.
As Walmart Scoops Up Online Retailers, Workers See Noticeable Change In Health Benefits
One example is Walmart’s recent takeover of Bonobos, where to keep biweekly premiums for workers relatively close to what they pay now, their deductibles will rise from nothing to several thousand dollars per year.
N.C. Seeks To Help Pay Doctors’ Debts If They Join Medicaid Program
The proposal is part of a plan the state has submitted to federal officials for approval. The plan would also include moving to a managed care system and adding work requirements for non-disabled adults. In Iowa, the state will move some Medicaid enrollees off the controversial managed care plan, the Republican candidates for governor in Kansas disagree on how to move forward with the Medicaid program there and federal officials are expected to set new requirements for Medicaid purchases of medical equipment.
HHS Nominee Likely To Be Grilled Over Drug Prices, Pharma Connections At Hearing
Alex Azar, President Donald Trump’s pick to take over the top spot of the Department of Health And Human Services, will face his first nomination hearing Wednesday in front of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Insurers: Allowing States To Define Essential Benefits Would Confuse Customers, Disrupt Marketplace
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services wants to give states the ability to pick the essential health benefits insurers have to cover instead of having them follow the federal guidelines set out under the Affordable Care Act. Media outlets report on news related to the health law and its marketplace out of Arizona, Iowa, Wisconsin and California.
A news outlet offers on-the-ground reports from Puerto Rico as the island continues its struggle to come back from the storm, and another looks at the struggle after Florida’s hurricane for a family with a disabled child.