Latest KFF Health News Stories
Another Way For Anti-Vaxxers To Skip Shots For Schoolkids: A Doctor’s Note
No longer able to get exemptions for personal beliefs in California, parents opposed to inoculations seem to be obtaining medical exemptions for their children, according to a new study.
California, Other States To Extend Obamacare Sign-Up Beyond Federal Limit
Several state-based exchanges and the District of Columbia will allow people more than the 45 days set by the Trump administration.
Estados extenderán la inscripción del Obamacare más allá del límite federal
Varios estados evitarán este año una nueva regla de la administración Trump que reduce a la mitad el tiempo que los consumidores tienen para comprar un seguro médico individual en los mercados establecidos por ACA.
El secreto de la felicidad crónica en el otoño de la vida
Expertos aseguran que enfocarse en las cosas que sí se pueden hacer, en vez de sufrir por algunas de las limitaciones de la edad, ayuda a los adultos mayores a ser más felices.
Viewpoints: More NIH Funding; Fall, Football And Brain Damage?; America’s Other Addiction Crisis
A selection of opinions on health care issues from around the country.
Perspectives On Health Law: ACA’s Problems Go Beyond Marketing; Sabotaging Outreach
Several opinion sections weigh in on the Trump administration’s decision to cut funding for outreach and marketing during the Affordable Care Act’s upcoming open enrollment season.
Media outlets report on news from Wyoming, Kentucky, New York, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Ohio, California, Washington, Georgia, Colorado and Massachusetts.
Police Altercation Over Nurse’s Refusal To Draw Blood May Prompt Reviews Of Hospital Policies
Police requests to draw blood from patients without an arrest, a warrant or consent are common around the country, and staff often go along because they are busy or don’t know their hospital’s policy. Outlets report on other hospital news from Washington, D.C., Maryland and Florida.
Where Patients Awaiting A Liver Transplant Live Can Be Difference Between Life And Death
But a new plan aims to fix that geographical disparity. In other public health news: flu shots, salt, cancer patients and fertility support, the secret to happiness, vaccines, a medical mystery, the problem with sitting, and tanning salons.
Analysis That Prostate Screenings Significantly Reduce Deaths Draws Skepticism
The debate over prostate screenings is a heated one, and a new report adds fuel to the fire.
Fatal Overdoses Spike 22%, A Rate Even Faster Than Previously Thought
Fentanyl deaths rose 540 percent according to the first government account of nationwide drug deaths in 2016. Meanwhile, new drug czar nominee Rep. Tom Marino (R-Pa.), the opioid over supply, the business of treatment centers and addiction research efforts are also in the news.
Senior And Disabled Harvey Evacuees Face Tougher Health Challenges After The Flood
Those in shelters who need medical care the most can find themselves trapped. Other news on how the monster storm will impact the public health landscape cover health IT success stories, emergency rooms working around the clock, mental health care efforts and the risks of chemical exposure.
Medi-Cal Programs: Being Required To Send Immediately Out-Of-Date Directory Is ‘Ridiculous’
California officials are being asked to review the requirement that massive, printed books be sent out to people who enroll for Medi-Cal. Outlets report on other Medicaid news out of South Carolina and Wyoming.
Transgender Patients Worry They’ll Be Trapped If Trump Revokes Insurance Protections
The Trump administration is working to revise a section of the health law that says federally funded health programs cannot discriminate on the basis of sex, which the Obama administration made clear required states to cover transgender care through their Medicaid programs.
After Feds Scale Back Money For Zika-Related Research, Sanofi Ends Vaccine Project
Sanofi was the only major pharmaceutical company working on a vaccine for the virus with a near-term market goal.
Calls For Transparency In Health Care Prices Are Only Getting Louder. But It’s Not That Simple.
Part of the problem is that it’s tough for a provider or an insurer to come up with an accurate cost estimate for a particular service.
Regulators Still Grappling With Uncertainty As Deadline To File Rate Proposals For 2018 Arrives
Some states are preparing to file alternative premiums for different scenarios while others are holding off on a final decision. In other marketplace news, Anthem plans to scale back coverage in Missouri, consumers brace for double-digit increases and Utah is stuck paying $10 million to cover debts from an insurance company created under the health law.
Bipartisan Health Plan Gains Support Even As Trump Urges Senators To Let Marketplace Implode
The proposal from Sens. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.) focuses on shoring up the individual exchanges. Meanwhile, states have been working for years to put in place bipartisan compromises to make the health law sustainable, and they might become a source of inspiration for federal lawmakers.
Senate Parliamentarian Just Put A Ticking Clock On Repeal Via Reconciliation
Senators have until the end of the month to make changes to the health law using the reconciliation method. After that they’ll either have to get the 60 votes to overcome a Democratic filibuster or restore the ability to use a 51-vote majority for repeal.
Congress Returns To Grueling Schedule Including Two Health Care Hearings This Week
Governors and state insurance commissioners are expected to testify at the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearings this week. The chairman of the committee, Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), has set an ambitious timeline for drafting legislation to shore up the health law marketplaces. Meanwhile, hard feelings over the failed replacement efforts may complicate future health policy discussions.