Latest KFF Health News Stories
2 Health Care Issues Collide On Capitol Hill And The Result Is Confusion
KHN’s Julie Rovner talks to WBUR’s Robin Young about the new Republican proposal for the health law replacement bill and the controversy over continuing federal funding for cost-sharing subsidies for low-income marketplace customers.
Viewpoints: Reducing Harm Reduces Overdose Deaths; Trump Undermines Women’s Access To Health Care
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Opinion writers offer their thoughts on what is happening with efforts to repeal and replace the health law as well as other steps that could result in meaningful health care change.
Longer Looks: Black Market Insulin; Opioid Deaths; Birth Control Access
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the web.
Media outlets report on news from Michigan, Kansas, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Iowa and Illinois.
California’s Long-Shot Single-Payer Health Bill Advances
“It is time to say once and for all that health care is a right, not a privilege for those who can afford it,” said Democratic state Sen. Ricardo Lara of Bell Gardens, who wrote the bill along with Democratic state Sen. Toni Atkins of San Diego. However, an essential question is unanswered: Where will the money come from?
Motivated By Current Political Climate, International Group To Provide Abortion Pill Advice In U.S.
Women Help Women is a business headquartered in the Netherlands that provides women with counseling on abortion medication through its websites. And, media outlets report on other women’s health news out of Louisiana, Kansas, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Texas.
Stem Cells Touted As Miraculous Cure For Some Diseases Found To Have Cancer-Causing Mutations
Five out of 140 registered stem lines have cells with the mutation, two of which had been used in clinical trials in an unknown number of patients. In other public health news: tracing the origins of autism and epilepsy; reality meets hype when it comes to cancer drugs; funding the Zika battle; caregiving and dementia; and more.
Escalation To Elephant Tranquilizers Marks New Normal In Rampant Opioid Epidemic
Recent deaths in a handful of states have been tied to carfentanil, which is 100 times more potent than the already-powerful fentanyl. “It shows how callous these drug dealers are,” Synan said. “It has no human use whatsoever and they’re putting it out on the street and wreaking havoc.”
Little-Known, Cheap Blood-Clotting Drug Could Reduce Hemorrhages For Women After Labor
The drug costs less than $2 and doesn’t need to be refrigerated, a boon for developing countries.
Ark. Governor Expected To Ask Lawmakers To Trim Eligibility For Medicaid Expansion Program
Under the plan — previewed by state officials — about 60,000 people who gained Medicaid through the health law’s expansion will lose coverage but they could instead apply for insurance through Obamacare marketplace policies. Also, the Florida House passed a bill that would set up work requirements for Medicaid enrollees.
A New Way To Address High Drug Costs: Look At What’s Being Thrown Into The Trash
Nursing homes routinely dispose of good prescription medication when they could be funneling the pills to needy patients.
Anthem Throws Gauntlet Over Subsidies, Vowing To Leave Markets Or Raise Premiums Without Them
CEO Joseph Swedish sets a deadline of early June for a decision on the cost-sharing reductions, saying Anthem would weigh increasing rates by at least 20 percent next year without them.
Trump Backs Off On Threat To Insurer Subsidies Easing Way For Spending Negotiations
The administration said it will continue to pay for the subsidies after House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) said they wouldn’t be included in the spending bill. Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) says the move is progress, but insurers contend it doesn’t go far enough to protect the payments.
What’s In The New Version Of Republicans’ Health Care Bill?
The New York Times and The Associated Press offer a look at the compromises being proposed in Republicans’ efforts to revive the stalled plan.
GOP Leaders Offer Option To End Provision That Guaranteed Their Coverage In Health Bill
The compromise that conservatives and moderate Republicans worked out this week as a replacement for the federal health law contained a provision that exempted members of Congress and their staffs from losing their guaranteed benefits. That brought jeers from Democrats, and party leaders crafted a bill to get rid of that exemption.
All Eyes Turn Toward Moderates As Conservatives Give Approval To Revived GOP Health Plan
It’s unclear whether the compromises made to woo the Freedom Caucus cost them moderate votes, but some lawmakers say they’re hopeful it will pass. The vote could come possibly as early as Friday, although some members suggest it will take longer for lawmakers to make their decisions.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Negotiating Drug Prices: Should State Agencies Band Together?
A California lawmaker wants to strengthen collaboration among public agencies to bring down costs to taxpayers.
Rural Doctors’ Training May Be In Jeopardy
A program designed to address the shortage of doctors in rural and poor urban areas could be in peril unless Congress acts.