Latest KFF Health News Content

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Men Who Rape Share Behaviors–But They Don’t Break Down Into Traditional Demographics

Morning Briefing

Understanding perpetrators can be a crucial key to preventing rape, but it’s also a hard topic to study. In other public health news: Medication to treat alcoholism, a look into the Las Vegas shooter’s mind, exercise and weight, drowsy driving, and more.

Opioid Commission’s Blueprint To Fighting Crisis Focuses On Drug Courts, Tighter Prescribing Requirements

Morning Briefing

Stat gets an exclusive look at the plan that will be unveiled Wednesday. In other news, drugmakers are under pressure from a new coalition that’s seeking information on how these companies are responding to the increased business risks caused by the opioid crisis, researchers study what happens to those who have been revived by anti-overdose medication, and former President Bill Clinton speaks about the national epidemic.

Maine’s Vote On Medicaid Seen As Bellwether Of National Views On Key Obamacare Provision

Morning Briefing

Next week, voters in Maine will decide whether to expand Medicaid under the provisions of the federal health law. Gov. Paul LePage (R) is fighting it, arguing that the small, economically struggling state with an aging population cannot afford the expansion. Supporters say it will help thousands of people who do not have care now. In other Medicaid news, a California company ends its transportation contract with Idaho, and changes planned in New Mexico come under fire.

More Than 150 Lawmakers Ask Congress To Pull Community Health Centers Back From Funding Cliff

Morning Briefing

The federal money for the centers expired in September, and the letter from the bipartisan group of lawmakers says about 2,800 health center sites would close, “endangering the health care of about 9 million patients,” if the funding isn’t renewed.

With New Rule, Trump Wants To Relax ACA Standards, Give States More Flexibility

Morning Briefing

Here’s a look at how the proposed rule would change the marketplaces. Meanwhile, the House and the administration want to continue to pause the court case dealing with insurer subsidies, but Democrats want to push forward with it.

The Theme For Open Enrollment This Year? Rampant Confusion

Morning Briefing

Open enrollment for 2018 health coverage under the Affordable Care Act starts on Wednesday. But consumers across the country have been left scratching their heads — if they know they even still need coverage at all.

Premiums For Popular Plans To Spike, But That May Just Translate Into Government Paying More

Morning Briefing

The Trump administration released the report with the dire news on Monday. But most consumers are eligible for federal tax credits that help pay for premiums, and the value of a credit increases as the cost of premiums for one of the exchange’s most popular plans rises.

Timeline: Insulin Market Under Scrutiny

KFF Health News Original

A flurry of federal and state probes have targeted insulin manufacturers and pharmacy benefit managers — middlemen in the prescription drug-pricing pipeline. Here, we connect the legal dots.

Judge Sides With Nursing Homes Over Fla.’s New Rule Requiring Facilities Have Generators

Morning Briefing

The rule came in response to the tragedies following Hurricane Irma in which nursing home residents died because of heat, but the administrative judge said there was no pressing danger that justifies the order.