Latest KFF Health News Stories
First Edition: November 10, 2017
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Pressure Builds To Cut Medicare Patients In On Prescription Deals
Medicare officials have been discussing a rule change that would give beneficiaries a share of the secretive fees and discounts that are negotiated for prescription drugs.
Experts Explain Why Lead Found In Fidget Spinners Is No Idle Threat
Feeling fidgety about U.S. PIRG’s latest report? KHN gets experts to weigh in with their thoughts about the findings and consumers’ risks.
Study Gives Mixed Reviews On Laws To Equalize Cancer Patients’ Out-Of-Pocket Costs
Most states have laws that require that cancer patients who get their treatment orally rather than by infusion in a doctor’s office not pay more out-of-pocket. A new study finds that the impact of those laws is mixed.
Obamacare Shopping Is Trickier Than Ever. Here’s A Cheat Sheet.
This year, more than ever, it is important to know your options.
Red solidaria de médicos envía suministros a Puerto Rico
Casi de manera espontánea, se unieron gracias a las redes sociales y al “de boca en boca”. Hasta ahora han enviado 40 toneladas de suministros para ayudar a las víctimas del huracán María.
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Perspectives: Birth Control, Abortion Rights And What The Future Holds
Opinion writers offer their thoughts on recent developments and what might happen next regarding these issues.
Commentary pages across the country take a look at the role health issues — most notably, Medicaid expansion — played in this week’s election. Editorials also offer views on the factors and dynamics of U.S. health spending as well as ongoing efforts to combat the opioid epidemic.
Longer Looks: Mass Shooting Contagion; The Future Of Hospitals & The Origins Of The Opioid Epidemic
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luhra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Media outlets report on news from Minnesota, Illinois, Massachusetts, Texas, Pennsylvania, California and Ohio.
More often, the shooters fall into the category of disgruntled and aggrieved, with perceived humiliation fueling their acts. In other public health news: weight loss supplements, pesticides, brain implants, double-booked surgeries, sudden infant death syndrome, and more.
Scientists Genetically Modify Stem Cells To Grow Skin For 7-Year-Old Boy With Fatal Disease
The doctors were able to reconstruct fully functional skin for 80 percent of the boy’s body. The success story may offer hope to burn victims and others with severe skin conditions.
China, U.S. To Focus On Fentanyl In Efforts To Curb Opioid Epidemic, Trump Says
“Today President Xi and I discussed ways we can enhance coordination to better counter the deadly drug trade and to stop the lethal flow of poisonous drugs into our countries and into our communities,” President Donald Trump said.
Proposed Provision Would Allow Providers Who Object To Abortion To Sue If They Face Discrimination
Some Capitol Hill lawmakers want to work the language into the end-of-the-year spending bill Congress will consider. Meanwhile, outlets report on other news pertaining to women’s health care from Massachusetts and Texas.
Potential HHS Pick’s Ties To Pharma Raise Questions About Trump’s Mission To Curb High Prices
Alex Azar served at Eli Lilly for a decade, including five years as president of its U.S. Lilly USA, LLC unit.
Despite Concerns About Provisions On Use Of New Drugs, Defense Bill Moves Toward Vote
Politico Pro reports the bill is moving along and lawmakers will continue talks on addressing concerns from some members of health committees that the bill would allow the military to use drugs and products that haven’t been approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
Republicans, In Search Of Revenue, May Target Orphan Drug Tax Break
The tax credit is part of a popular plan to encourage the development of drugs for rare disease. But ending it could save the government an estimated $54 billion over the next decade
GOP Senators Want To Give Governors Power To Waive Health Law Restrictions Under New Bill
Legislation from Senate Finance Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Sen. Michael Crapo (R-Idaho) shows Senate Republicans are continuing to pursue ways to modify the current health care law after failing earlier this year to repeal large portions of it.
In Aftermath Of Election Success, Democrats May No Longer View Health Care As A Liability
“There has been a major change here,” says Robert Blendon, an expert on public opinion about healthcare at Harvard’s Kennedy School. “Democrats for years wouldn’t talk about healthcare. … Now, the implication is that if you are a Democrat running in 2018, you can talk about protecting healthcare for millions of Americans.”