Latest KFF Health News Stories
Judge Gives Cigna Permission To Pull Out Of Proposed Merger With Anthem
The merger had been blocked after federal officials raised objections, but Anthem had sought court approval to keep Cigna from walking away from the proposal.
As 2018 Marketplace Premiums Appear To Be Heading Up, Trump Suggests He Might Cut Subsidies
The early indications from insurers suggest that premiums for plans sold on the health law’s marketplaces will rise on average again next year. Meanwhile, in an interview with the Economist, President Donald Trump talks about the cost-sharing subsidies that the federal government pays insurers to help cover expenses of low-income customers, saying “we don’t have to subsidize” Obamacare. “You know if I ever stop wanting to pay the subsidies, which I will,” Trump said. “Anytime I want.”
Political Fate Pondered Of Key Role Players In Republican Health Care Bill Wrangling
Reps. Tom MacArthur (R-N.J.), Fred Upton (R-Mich.) and Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) have emerged as national figures during the weeks of negotiations to push a Obamacare replacement bill through the House.
Approval For GOP Health Plan Ticks Up Slightly To 21 Percent
But 75 percent of respondents – and 59 percent of Republicans – say it is a “bad idea” to allow states to opt out of cost-lowering protections for those with preexisting conditions. A separate poll looks at the percent of Americans who are worried about losing access to care.
Republicans are fielding inquiries on the ramifications of the American Health Care Act.
In Repeal-And-Replace Package, Senate Gives New Look To Pegging Tax Credits To Income
The approach – which Politico says would make the insurance subsidies “look a lot like Obamacare” – is billed as a breakthrough in the upper chamber but would likely face difficulties among House conservatives.
Senate Task Force Considers Ways To Unravel Obamacare Coverage Rules
Key to this discussion is how to handle regulations that require plans to cover a set of essential health benefits as well as preexisting condition protections.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Rural Shoppers Face Slim Choices, Steep Premiums On Exchanges
The larger an area’s population, the more likely insurers will compete in that market, according to an Urban Institute analysis.
Viewpoints: Unlocking Understanding Through Genomics And Precision Health; Alzheimer’s Gender Gap
A selection of public health opinions from around the country.
Opinion writers offer views on how to move forward in efforts to reform the nation’s health care system, including thoughts on what’s right in Obamacare, specific ways its shortcomings need to be addressed and deep problems in the GOP’s American Health Care Act.
Longer Looks: AHCA Fallout; Phage Therapy; And A Measles Outbreak
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Media outlets report on news from California, Texas, Massachusetts, Louisiana, Ohio, Wisconsin and Missouri.
Fiery Debate Erupts In Texas House Over Bill Requiring Vaccines For Foster Children
The fireworks started after state Rep. Bill Zedler (R-Arlington) tried to add an amendment to a bill, aimed at improving the state’s Child Protective Services agency, that would restrict doctors from including vaccinations in initial medical examinations for children. The provision was ultimately adopted, 74-58.
The report is the first to suggest convincingly that these bacteria may initiate disease in seemingly unrelated organs. In other public health news, lithium and bipolar disease, lead dust from firearms, vaping, a tragic medication error and cotton swabs.
Arthroscopic Knee Surgery Does Not Provide Lasting Relief, Panel Says
A group of international health experts says that fewer than 15 percent of patients feel an improvement in pain and function three months after the procedure — which is the world’s most common surgery — and that those effects usually disappear after one year.
Illinois Bill Expanding Public Financing For Abortion Faces Likely Veto On Governor’s Desk
When running for governor, Bruce Rauner said he disliked existing law restricting taxpayer-funded abortion coverage, but has since walked back that opinion.
State Officials Seek More Federal Funds For Prosecution Of Medicaid Abuse
The state attorneys general are asking for more help to prosecute abuse and neglect of Medicaid patients in non-institutional settings, like home health care. Also in the news, federal officials are giving states more time to meet new Medicaid standards on home health care.
For Fourth Straight Year, U.S. Prices On Prescription Drugs Go Up More Than 8%
In 2016, the cost of medications rose 8.8 percent. Brand-name medications went up 12.9 percent while generics only increased 0.3 percent. In other pharmaceutical news, Mylan takes issue with a Food and Drug Administration decision not to approve its generic version of GlaxoSmithKline’s Advair.
Lawmakers Strike Deal On Bill That Would Make It Easier For VA To Fire Employees
The agreement on the accountability revision smooths the way for passage of the stalled legislation. Meanwhile, Republicans blast a procedural move by Democrats that postponed a hearing on veterans health care.