Latest KFF Health News Stories
Logjam Over CHIP Funding A Testament To Level Of Partisan Rancor Gripping Congress
The program to provide health care for kids from low- and middle-income families is extremely popular, but it’s been stuck in limbo since its funding expired over a month ago. The House is expected to pass a bill Friday, but the Senate Democrats will almost certainly balk at how the lawmakers want to pay for the program.
Republicans’ Tax Plan A Mixed Bag For Health Care
Media outlets examine how the health care landscape — from med students to pharmaceutical companies — would be touched by the Republicans’ tax plan unveiled Thursday. A potential large impact to consumers would be the elimination of medical expense deductions. Another: the proposal does not include language to repeal the individual mandate despite President Donald Trump’s support for the provision.
New ‘Instructions’ Could Let Dementia Patients Refuse Spoon-Feeding
Patients with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias can say in advance if and when they want caregivers to stop offering food and fluids by hand.
First Edition: November 3, 2017
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Big Premium Hike? Blame It On The Kids
Premiums are rising for many reasons next year, and one is that insurers are charging a lot more for teenagers.
House Tax Bill Would Scrap Deduction For Medical Expenses
About 9 million people claimed about $87 billion in medical deductions in 2015.
House Republicans Aim To Yank Tax Credits For Orphan Drugs
House Republicans want to repeal federal tax credits that have helped spur a boom in orphan drugs for rare diseases.
Facebook Live: It’s ACA Sign Up Season. Here’s What you Need To Know This Year.
In this Facebook Live chat, KHN’s Julie Appleby answers questions about what’s changed for 2018 open enrollment.
Poll: Americans Avoid Planning For Serious Illness
A majority of Americans say it’s important to write down their medical wishes in case of serious illness, but only a third have done so.
Podcast: ‘What The Health?’ How Confused Are We?
In this episode of “What the Health?” Julie Rovner of Kaiser Health News, Stephanie Armour of The Wall Street Journal, Joanne Kenen of Politico and Paige Winfield Cunningham of The Washington Post discuss the start of open enrollment under the Affordable Care Act, legislative efforts on Capitol Hill on taxes and children’s health insurance, and recommendations of the president’s opioid commission.
Aprendiendo a destacar los aspectos positivos del envejecimiento
Los estereotipos en torno a la edad pueden desterrarse cambiando actitudes y miradas que estigmatizan a los adultos mayores.
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Opinion writers offer their thoughts on a range of health policy issues, including the Affordable Care Act’s open enrollment season, how some specific markets are doing, single-payer health care systems and more.
Longer Looks: Puerto Rico; The Opioid Emergency; And Alexander-Murray
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Media outlets report on news from Kansas, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Missouri, California, Colorado, Georgia, Florida, Arizona, Ohio, Massachusetts and Virginia.
Using Aspirin Long-Term Helps Dramatically Cut Risk Of Certain Types Of Cancer
In other public health news: the link between inflammation and Alzheimer’s; how being in space changes the brain; aging and dementia; transgender people’s mental health; the “financial toxicity” of breast cancer; and more.
As Bill To Fund Children’s Health Coverage Moves Toward House Vote, Bickering Intensifies
A hearing on the bill in the Rules Committee exposes increased tensions between Republicans and Democrats over how to pay for the funding of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which expired Sept. 30. That has left states scrambling to find money for the program.
Share Of Medicaid Enrollees In Private Managed Care Plans Rises With ACA Expansion
A new report by PwC finds the number of Medicaid enrollees covered by private health plans grew by 1 million last year and 12 states have at least 90 percent of their program participants covered by these managed care plans, up from nine last year and four in 2013. In other Medicaid news, Puerto Rico is seeking help as its crisis grows, Connecticut’s budget will cut services for at least 68,000 residents, and the federal government approves a small expansion for Utah.
Lawmaker’s Heartbeat Bill Would Effectively Ban Abortions At As Early As Six Weeks
Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) acknowledges that the strict legislation, if passed, would face legal challenges, possibly all the way up to the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, outlets report on abortion news out of Oregon, Texas and Ohio, as well.
Hospitals Threaten Legal Action Over CMS’s Decision To Slash Lucrative Drug Subsidies
Critics of the 340B program, designed to help hospitals with large numbers of uninsured patients, say the significant margin on the drugs gives hospitals an incentive to overuse certain drugs or choose high-priced options.