Latest KFF Health News Stories
Potential $66B Deal For CVS To Buy Aetna Would Create Mammoth Health Care Company
CVS Health Corp. may pay $200 to $205 per share to acquire Aetna Inc., the Wall Street Journal reports, but the deal isn’t final yet. In other industry news, Express Scripts’ CEO says the company isn’t shopping for its own insurer deal but is open to the idea, as well as partnering with Amazon.
A Closer Look At Trump’s Pick To Lead HHS
Alex Azar, President Donald Trump’s nominee to succeed Tom Price, spent three years on the board of the Indianapolis Airport Authority. During that time, he defended the behavior of its CEO, who came under fire for spending public money on everything from travel and steak dinners to Super Bowl tickets. Meanwhile, Azar is supportive of experimental Obamacare payment programs that Price ended.
Trump’s 3Q Salary Donation Earmarked For Opioid Epidemic Efforts
President Donald Trump gives $100,000 — his third-quarter presidential pay — to the Department of Health and Human Services, which will use the money on a public awareness campaign about opioid dangers.
ACA Enrollment Update: In Conn., Sign Up Estimates On Par With Last Year’s Numbers
People in one Virginia county that’s hard hit by premium hikes and other insurance-market instability are seeking answers and solutions now. Meanwhile, consumer advocates are focusing on some of the new types of insurance products that are emerging as people grapple with the rising costs.
In The Senate, Deal Making Surrounds GOP Leaders’ Efforts To Pass Tax Bill
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who is scrambling to hold 50 votes on the bill, is making promises to Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) that the measure will not result in Medicare cuts and that he will advance separate legislation to stabilize the Obamacare insurance markets. But it is not clear how these assurances will play out in the House.
Republican Tax Bill Proves Congress Wasn’t Done With Health Policy
The GOP tax plan includes a range of health-related provisions — key among them is language that would eliminate the tax penalty created by the Affordable Care Act for not having health insurance. In addition, it threatens to trigger across-the-board cuts to Medicare and other domestic programs. A number of stakeholders and advocacy groups are expressing concerns about the impact of this and other changes that Republican lawmakers are advancing.
First Edition: December 1, 2017
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Texans With HIV Cope With Homes And Medicines Ruined By Hurricane Harvey
The hurricane closed pharmacies and clinics for a week or longer. Floodwaters spoiled drugs. People who fled to other states couldn’t get their prescriptions filled for HIV medicine.
Congress Isn’t Really Done With Health Care — Just Look At What’s In The Tax Bills
Even though congressional Republicans set aside their Obamacare repeal-and-replace efforts this year, here are five major health policy changes that could become law as part of the pending House and Senate proposals.
Whistleblower: Medicaid Managed-Care Firm Improperly Denied Care To Thousands
An explosive report prepared by a SynerMed executive alleges the California firm, which oversaw care for 1.2 million patients, fabricated documents and violated state and federal regulations for years. The state says it left low-income patients on Medicaid managed care in “imminent danger.”
Desperate For Coverage: Are Short-Term Plans Better Than None At All?
As stopgap health plans gain attention as possible alternatives to Obamacare, consumers are advised to read the fine print.
Podcast: ‘What The Health?’ Taxes, Medicare And The Year-End Mess
In this episode of “What the Health?” Julie Rovner of Kaiser Health News, Joanne Kenen of Politico and Paige Winfield Cunningham of The Washington Post discuss the possible impact of the tax bill on the Medicare program, confirmation hearings for a new secretary of Health and Human Services and the future of the Children’s Health Insurance Program. Plus, for “extra credit,” the panelists recommend their favorite health stories of the week.
Longer Looks: The Tax Bill’s Health Effect, Children’s Health Insurance & Puerto Rico’s Economy
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
If Your Insurer Covers Few Therapists, Is That Really Mental Health Parity?
Behavioral care was four times more likely to be out-of-network than medical or surgical care, an analysis by Milliman shows.
Viewpoints: GOP Can Fund Tax Cuts — Why Not Kids’ Health?; Azar May Surprise Pharma
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Opinion writers examine some of the tax bill’s ramifications on health care.
Oregon Medicaid Audit Finds Need To Step Up Efforts To Detect Improper Payouts
The audit, which was released Wednesday by the Oregon Secretary of State’s office, concluded that the program had missed opportunities to recover millions of dollars in overpayments.
States Warn Families Of Impending Cuts As CHIP Funding Nears Depletion
By the end of the year, nearly half of all states will have run out of their 2017 Children’s Health Insurance Program allotment. Unless Congress acts, Colorado, Massachusetts, California and Ohio are bracing for the worst. Texas, on the other hand, got good news.
Media outlets report on news from Kansas, Texas, Colorado, Massachusetts, Arizona, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Missouri and Georgia.
Public Health News: The Effect Of Pollution On Bones; The Growing Promise Of Gene Therapy
Media outlets also report on an effort by a coalition of health advocacy groups to keep Congress focused on the global fight against AIDS. Other reports include the latest advances in battlefield medicine and the Food and Drug Administration’s interest in nicotine-replacement therapies.