Latest KFF Health News Stories
Iowa Saving Less On Managed Medicaid Program Than Expected, State Reports
Former Gov. Terry Branstad ordered the shift to private companies managing the state Medicaid program in 2015 and predicted it would save the state $232 million this year. The Department of Human Services now says it will save $47.1 million this year. Meanwhile, voters in Oregon begin to gear up for a special election later this month on funding for that state’s Medicaid program and a hack in Florida exposes files of 30,000 enrollees.
Minn. Officials Worry Rollback Of Nursing Home Penalties Could Undercut Recent Crackdown On Abuse
The federal move comes just as Gov. Mark Dayton has pledged tougher action following revelations of elder abuse in the state’s nursing homes.
Kids Are Being Kept In Hospital Too Long Because U.S. Lacks Financially Supported Home Care System
It’s much cheaper to provide sick children with home nurses, but there’s a shortage of them because there’s little incentive to get into the low-paying field.
Pharma’s Concerns That Trump Will Do Something Radical To Cut Prices Have All But Evaporated
The J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, the biggest annual investors event in biotechnology, is underway and the worries from last year haven’t exactly carried over into 2018. In other pharmaceutical news: an Alzheimer’s drug may have gotten its second wind; Celgene has agreed to buy cancer drugmaker Impact Biomedicines; and an executive facing sexual harassment allegations still hasn’t stepped down.
Idaho Governor To Let Insurance Companies Skirt ACA Requirements
Health insurers in Idaho and the state’s insurance director have been working for months on a plan that would allow the sale of non-ACA compliant insurance and hope to have them available by March. They would not be eligible for government premium subsidies.
Democrats Go In Search Of Next ‘Big Idea’ On Health Care In Preparation For 2020
Tired of playing defense and looking to capitalize on Republicans’ fumbles, Democrats are encouraging people in the party to think big, with ideas ranging from single-payer, government-run care for all, to new insurance options anchored in popular programs like Medicare or Medicaid. In other news from Capitol Hill: medical research legislation, entitlement overhaul, “right-to-try” bills, and CHIP funding.
As Debate Over President’s Mental Health Heats Up, Trump Declares Himself A ‘Very Stable Genius’
President Donald Trump said that those questioning his mental well being are just trying to score political points. All of the chatter over Trump’s health comes just before the president’s first psychical exam while in office.
Trump Says He’s Made ‘Tremendous Progress’ In Improving VA Health Care. Those Claims Fall Short.
The Associated Press fact checks the president’s assertions that his initiatives have had a positive impact on the quality of health care provided to veterans.
Alex Azar, the Trump administration’s pick to head the Department of Health and Human Services, is set to testify before the Senate Finance Committee this week, where it’s likely his close ties to the pharmaceutical industry will take center stage with his critics.
First Edition: January 8, 2017
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
An Opioid Remedy That Works: Treat Pain And Addiction At The Same Time
Studies show promising results for a treatment approach that tackles chronic pain and addiction together, but obstacles stand in the way of this integrated care.
Drug Overdose Deaths Soar Nationally But Plateau In Some Western States
Fatalities are climbing in states that have been flooded by the deadly opioid fentanyl, but are remaining flat — or even falling — in many Western states, where the drug has not yet been as common as other parts of the country.
Running On Empty: CHIP Funding Could Run Out Jan. 19 For Some States
A fiscal patch that Congress approved last month proves not enough to keep coverage for children afloat, CMS says.
Vuelve del retiro para ayudar a luchar contra la hepatitis C
Cuando se lanzó una prometedora droga para curar la enfermedad contra la que había luchado como médico por décadas, el doctor Robert Cirillo no dudó en volver a ejercer.
Grassley Calls For ‘Corrective Action’ On Abuses In Herpes Vaccine Research
The Republican senator sent out letters to the Food and Drug Administration and HHS demanding an explanation about a rogue herpes vaccine trial.
Estados se quedarían sin dinero para el programa CHIP a partir del 19 de enero
A pesar que el Congreso autorizó fondos para cubrir al programa hasta el 31 de marzo, varios estados comenzarían a quedarse sin dinero este mes.
Half Of Hospitals In Conn., Del. Hit By Medicare’s Safety Penalties
Seven states saw a third or more of their hospitals punished under the federal heath law’s campaign against hospital-acquired conditions.
La administración Trump busca frenar el creciente negocio de la marihuana
El fiscal general de Estados Unidos, Jeff Sessions, anuló una norma de la era Obama con la cual se desalentó a los fiscales federales a tomar medidas enérgicas contra la venta y el consumo de marihuana.
A selection of opinions on health care from news outlets around the country.
Opinion writers examine a range of health policy issues, including the Trump administration’s proposed rule to pave the way for the creation of more association health plans and a push for Congress to restore funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program.