Latest KFF Health News Stories
First Edition: August 16, 2017
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Doctors Warm To Single-Payer Health Care
Growing numbers of physicians say they support a single-payer health care system, a 180-degree turn in opinion over a decade.
CBO: Killing Cost-Sharing Subsidies Would Hike Silver Plan Premiums And Deficit
The change would not be expected to have much long-term effect on the number of uninsured people. But it could cause a shift in which plans are popular with marketplace customers.
Viewpoints: Short-Term Health Fix; Sabotage To Marketplaces; VA Hospital Director Should Go
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Media outlets report on news from Ohio, California, Texas, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Minnesota and Iowa.
In other hospital news, hospital and health system executives’ compensation continues to soar; a Kansas official details the privatization plan for Osawatomie State Hospital; and more.
Funding For N.H.’s Medicaid Expansion Now In Jeopardy
The federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services informed New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu that a fund helping to pay expansion costs, which is partially supported by voluntary donations from hospitals, violates federal law. Meanwhile, federal officials approved changes that will allow Nebraska to continue its Health Insurance Premium Program, through which the state’s Medicaid program helps people pay the costs of private health insurance. Also, Mississippi’s Medicaid director is in the hot seat.
More VA Doctors Can Practice In N.H. Hospitals As Governor Loosens Licensing Requirements
Gov. Chris Sununu signs an executive order amidst a state of emergency at Manchester VA Medical Center due to flooding. In other veteran health care news, a VA enrollment office in Atlanta is hit with controversy over unprofessional and racially charged instant messages by a staffer.
Standard Advice On Finishing Antibiotics Is Being Challenged By Disease Experts
The infectious disease specialists are making the case that taking the drugs once they are not needed may be helping lead to antibiotic resistance. In other public health news, some big-name companies are working to destigmatize mental health problems, Amazon recalls some solar eclipse glasses, music may help some dementia patients and articles on the benefits of work and alcohol.
Enough Painkillers Sold In One Town To Medicate Every Man, Woman, Child For 136 Days
A first-time release of CDC prescribing data shows vast regional disparities. Stateline reports on the numbers and the town — Martinsville, Va. — that topped the list. In other news on the national opioid epidemic: Massachusetts police test a new overdose database; experts wait on the impact of White House action; and the deaths of two sons drive one mother’s mission to fight back.
Apple, Aetna Discuss Deal To Distribute Free Or Discounted Watches To Insurance Beneficiaries
The move could cover 23 million insured by Aetna. In health care industry consolidation news, Google will buy Senosis health and Allscripts will acquire a part of billionaire Patrick Soon-Shiong’s NantHealth.
Reporting Requirements For Drug Manufacturers Can Create Headaches For Investors
In other pharma industry news, the Food and Drug Administration issues new prescription advisories and recalls.
Trump Blasts Merck CEO After He Quits White House Panel Over Charlottesville Response
In a quick response to the announcement from Merck’s chief Kenneth Frazier, the president tweeted that the decision would give Frazier “more time to LOWER RIPOFF DRUG PRICES!”
Administration Is Coy About Whether It Will Partner With Advocates For Enrollment Push
The Obama administration reached out to numerous groups to help foster its efforts to get millions of Americans insured through the health law’s marketplaces, but it’s not clear if the Trump administration will follow suit. In other insurance news, a Colorado group is asking state officials to restrain premium increases, and Reuters reports that some investors are turning cool on insurance stocks.
GOP Efforts To Repeal-And-Replace Obamacare Resurface
Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) says his sweeping proposal is “about the only game left in town.” On the House side, members of the conservative Freedom Caucus on Friday filed a discharge petition that, with a simple 218-vote majority, would trigger a floor vote on a two-year Affordable Care Act repeal — with no replacement — as early as September. Meanwhile, on the other side of the issue, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is preparing to introduce his Medicare-for-all plan and other Democrats are shopping around a Medicare buy-in plan that would begin at age 50.
First Edition: August 15, 2017
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Insurers Can Bend Out-Of-Network Rules For Patients Who Need Specific Doctors
Individuals who require very specialized care for their health are advised to make their case when a plan doesn’t cover their doctor.
Medicare ayuda a 575,000 personas a hacer planes para el final de la vida
En 2016, el Medicare comenzó a pagar por las sesiones en las que pacientes, médicos y familiares discuten sobre las decisiones a tomar cuando se acerca el final de la vida.
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Media outlets report on news from Wisconsin, Florida, California, Georgia, Illinois, Texas, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire and Arizona.