Latest KFF Health News Stories
Times Are A Changing: Amazon’s Plans, CVS-Aetna Talks Reveal A Shift In PBM Landscape
“You are hearing the warning for the end of the road for the classic standalone” pharmacy-benefit business, said one expert. It was reported last week that CVS is in talks to buy Aetna to diversify its portfolio ahead of Amazon entering the pharmacy marketplace.
Beyond Privacy Concerns: Interactive Gadgets Can Pose Threat To Children’s Psychology
Children, who are learning what’s appropriate social interaction, can be affected more than adults by the human-computer relationship that’s becoming more commonplace in homes. In other public health news: early menopause, the shingles vaccine, fatty liver disease, racism, and gun safety.
Although abuse of painkillers seems to actually be dropping, the number of deaths has been rising. Media outlets report news from Arizona, Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Ohio and Massachusetts.
Privacy Rules Relaxed As Part Of Administration’s Attempt To Curb Opioid Epidemic
The rule will allow health care providers to share information with family members, friends and legal representatives if the patient is in crisis. President Donald Trump declared the opioid epidemic a national public health crisis last week, but some are concerned that there’s no funding to go along with it.
Watchdogs Concerned About Gift From UnitedHealth To Nominee For An HHS Spot
Stephen Parente has been nominated to be the assistant secretary for planning and evaluation at the Department of Health and Human Services. “The timing doesn’t look good,” says Scott Amey of the Project on Government Oversight. “I think Mr. Parente should take some steps to assure the public that he’s working in the public interest, and not on behalf of United Healthcare or other donors.”
States’ Frustrations Growing As Funds Dwindle For Children’s Health Coverage
Federal funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) expired last month. Although members of Congress have expressed support for the program, it’s not clear if they can bridge differences about how to pay for the program.
ACA Supporters, Thwarted By Maine Governor, Seek To Expand Medicaid Through Referendum
Maine Gov. Paul Page (R) has vetoed legislation to implement an expansion five times. Now, health law supporters are taking the issue to voters. In other Medicaid news, Kansas officials will seek federal approval to implement a work requirement, Iowa Democratic lawmakers propose allowing state residents to buy into the Medicaid system and Louisiana’s managed care contracts come under scrutiny.
With New Rule, Administration Wants To Give States More Flexibility On ACA’s Essential Benefits
Issued late in the day on Friday, the 365-page plan also proposes other changes to the inner workings of the health insurance markets.
Health Law’s Open Enrollment To Kick Off This Week Amid Confusion, Cries Of Sabotage
Experts expect enrollment to drop significantly in part because of the Trump administration’s moves to slash funding for marketing and navigators, and to roll back policies meant to protect consumers.
First Edition: October 30, 2017
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Período de inscripción caótico pone en peligro cobertura de latinos
Una de las metas del Obamacare fue que los latinos accedieran a atención médica. Pero ese logro, se bajó el porcentaje de hispanos sin seguro de 43% en 2010 a menos del 25% en 2016, corre peligro en un período que comienza con incertidumbres.
Big Gains In Latino Health Coverage Poised To Slip During Chaotic Enrollment Season
Efforts in past years have cut uninsured rates among Hispanics from 43 to 25 percent, but navigators say they anticipate a challenging sign-up period.
Money For Health Law Navigators Slashed — Except Where It’s Not
Two states, North and South Carolina, have very different outlooks since the Trump administration cut funding for the people who help others sign up for health insurance.
Flurry Of Federal And State Probes Target Insulin Drugmakers And Pharma Middlemen
Over the past two years, a powerful federal prosecutor and several state attorneys general have launched investigations related to diabetes drugs.
Rural Areas — Already Short On Health Resources — Face Enrollment Hitches
Affordable Care Act supporters in Georgia say they are facing a daunting task in getting people signed up for health insurance.
Viewpoints: A Legal Twist On Talcum Powder; FDA Can Help Patients Get Experimental Meds
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Editorial pages offer different perspectives about how to proceed in addressing the current and future challenges faced by the Affordable Care Act’s individual insurance market.
Opinion writers offer their ideas about whether President Donald Trump’s declaration can have a meaningful impact on the nation’s effort to address the problem.
Research Roundup: Medicaid Payment Reform; Tanning Salon Compliance; Robotic-Assisted Surgery
Here is a selection of news coverage of other recent research:
Media outlets report on news from Connecticut, Florida, Alabama, Illinois, the District of Columbia, Arizona, California, Oregon, Ohio, Georgia and Wisconsin.