Latest KFF Health News Stories
Trump’s Proposed Budget Slices Safety Net For Poor, Disabled
President Donald Trump wants to slash Medicaid by more than $800 billion and slim down the Children’s Health Insurance Program, as well.
Tab For Single-Payer Proposal In California Could Run $400 Billion
A state Senate panel considering the measure said money for existing public programs could cover half the cost. But the rest might have to come from new taxes — a serious political obstacle.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
GOP’s Health Bill Could Undercut Some Coverage In Job-Based Insurance
In states that take up the bill’s option to change the essential health benefits, the out-of-pocket spending limits and annual and lifetime caps on coverage in large group plans could fray.
Health Debate Heats Up In Montana For This Week’s Special Election
The race for Montana’s one and only seat in the House of Representatives will be decided Thursday, and health care is taking center stage in the race’s last week.
¿Quién cuidará de Abril si nos deportan? Padres temen por sus hijos discapacitados
Cada vez más los padres indocumentados que tienen hijos con discapacidades severas consultan a abogados y médicos con una pregunta angustiante: cómo evitar la deportación para seguir cuidando de sus niños.
Viewpoints: Problems In The Meat Industry; Trump’s ‘Global Gag Rule’; Opioid Fight Stumbles
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Thoughts On Health Reform: Decision On Subsidies Due Today; Protect Kids In Medicaid
Opinion writers reflect on changes for the nation’s health care system.
Media outlets report on news from Virginia, Texas, California, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Georgia, Florida, Ohio and Wisconsin.
Merger Would Make Steward Health Care The Largest Private For-Profit Hospital Operator
Boston-based Steward Health Care System announces that it will acquire Franklin, Tenn.-based IASIS Healthcare for $2 billion.
Dwindling Supply Of Vital But Simple Drug Setting Hospitals On Edge
Because of the shortage, doctors are having to make tough decisions on how they treat their patients. “Does the immediate need of a patient outweigh the expected need of a patient?” one asked. “It’s a medical and ethical question that goes beyond anything I’ve had to experience before.” In other public health news: infertility, pumping breast milk, services for deaf patients, neuroscience, probiotics and more.
Pediatricians: Babies Shouldn’t Drink Juice In First Year Of Life
The doctors want to battle the misconception that children need the sugary drinks.
Carfentanil Intensifying Already Deadly Opioid Epidemic
The synthetic drug is 10,000 times more potent than morphine.
Hospital Sepsis Protocols Can Increase Survival Chances, Study Finds
Many doctors have been skeptical about proposed regulations for screening and treating the life-threatening complication that afflicts tens of thousands of Americans.
The legislation bans a commonly used procedure for second-trimester abortions, similar to laws that courts have blocked in other states. And Missouri asks an appellate court to step in over a judge’s decision to block the state’s abortion restrictions.
Georgia Appears To Dodge A Bullet As Blue Cross Doesn’t Signal Plans To Pull Back Operations
In its initial filings with the state, the company says it will continue to sell individual policies in all 159 counties. In other news, a New Hampshire paper reports indications that premiums could go up significantly and California Healthline examines which companies are enticing customers on that exchange.
Senators Mull Short-Term ‘Rescue’ Bill For Health Law To Stabilize Marketplace
The upper chamber is quietly working toward coming up with their own version of a plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. And Congress awaits the Congressional Budget Office’s score for the revised bill that passed the House.
‘Why The Hell Would We’ Continue Insurer Subsidy Payments, Trump Reported To Ask Advisers
Despite the potential political blowback, President Donald Trump is leaning toward cutting off billions in cost-sharing subsidies, according to sources who spoke to Politico. On Monday, there will be a hearing in the court case about the payments.
Hiring Freeze Leaves Nearly 700 Jobs Unfilled At CDC
The vacancies impact public health emergency readiness, infectious disease control and chronic disease prevention programs, The Washington Post reports. Other Trump administration moves at the Food and Drug Administration and the National Institutes of Health also make headlines today.
Trump Budget Slashes Medicaid Funding, Rejecting Some Conservatives’ Pleas To Save Expansion
The White House also wants to give states more flexibility when it comes to imposing work requirements for people in the program.