Latest KFF Health News Stories
Aetna To Argue Traditional Medicare Will Give Consumers Options Regardless Of Merger
The company, which is defending its $37 billion deal with Humana, insists that it won’t create a monopoly when it comes to Medicare Advantage plans.
Driven By ACA, Health Spending Sees Fastest Growth Since Recession
The growth of 5.8 percent in 2015 boosted total health care spending to $3.2 trillion.
Obama To Americans: Tell Republicans Not To Undo Health Care Progress
In a dual plea, President Barack Obama urged Americans to enroll to get coverage in 2017 and also asked them to tell Republicans to rethink their repeal strategy. “Don’t let Republicans in Congress take us back to the days when you could be denied insurance for having a pre-existing condition,” he said, referencing one of the most popular aspects of the law.
GOP’s ‘Repeal And Delay’ Strategy Threatens To Send Already-Teetering Market Into Chaos
“Insurers need to know the rules of the road in order to develop plans and set premiums,” says Sabrina Corlette, a professor at the Health Policy Institute of Georgetown University.
First Edition: December 5, 2016
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
In House Majority Leader’s Calif. District, Many Depend On Health Law He Wants To Scrap
Some of Rep. Kevin McCarthy’s constituents fear his vow to repeal Obamacare now and replace it later could rob them of coverage.
In California, Planned Parenthood Girds For Potentially Grim Future Under Trump
The CEO of the group’s state organization, Kathy Kneer, says private donations can’t cover the potential loss of federal money for reproductive health services.
Immigrant Health Care Under A Cloud Of Uncertainty
With Trump headed for the White House, many immigrants in California are worried not just about their legal status but about their health care options.
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Perspectives On GOP Plans For Medicare And Advice About Replacing Obamacare
Opinion writers contemplate what the Trump administration’s pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services portends in terms of health policy changes and offer cautions.
Research Roundup: Dementia Care; Asthma In Schools; Paid Family Leave
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Outlets report on health news from Georgia, Massachusetts, Oregon, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, California, Florida, Virginia and Missouri.
Companies Managing Iowa’s Medicaid Program Continue To Lose Money
In other Medicaid news, some Minnesota residents on public health programs will have to switch to a new plan because an insurer and the state were unable to agree on a new contract. News outlets also report on developments the dire outlook for expansion in Virginia and how gunshot victims get help from the state-federal health insurance program.
Magnetic Stimulation Creates ‘Frankenstein Effect’ For Memories Thought Lost To Void
New research shows that working memory — the ability to retain a new piece of information even when our attention is temporarily directed elsewhere — may not be as volatile as once thought. Also in public health news: labeling on homeopathic treatments, life in an Alzheimer’s ward, a ‘tidal wave’ of hepatitis C, and more.
Parents’ Struggles With Opioids Take Wrenching Toll On Children
Other developments in the nation’s drug crisis include $1 billion in federal funding to the states, the difficulties law enforcement faces in the fentanyl battle and the debate over family notifications of overdoses.
Opponents Say Texas’ Fetal Remains Rule ‘Designed To Shame’ Women Seeking Abortions
The state finalized the rule — which requires aborted fetal remains be buried or cremated — this week. Media outlets report on other news on abortion out of Arkansas, Ohio and Maryland.
Anthem Deal Would Result In $3B Being Passed On To Employers, Company’s Expert Testifies
Economist Mark Israel defended the Anthem-Cigna merger and said the Justice Department’s expert erred in ignoring savings from reduced medical costs estimated in his analysis of the deal’s impact. Meanwhile, Anthem could face a $3 billion penalty from Blue Cross Blue Shield Association if it acquires Cigna and the Aetna-Humana trial is set to start on Monday.
Visionary Policy Wonk Or Day-To-Day Boss: What Will Price’s HHS Role Look Like?
Politico talks to former Democratic Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle about what kind of HHS secretary Rep. Tom Price will turn out to be. Meanwhile, Price’s stock portfolio includes investments in pharmaceutical, medical device, and health insurance companies, which could raise conflicts of interest questions.
While ACA Was Never Boon Pharma Hoped For, Industry Now On Tenterhooks Over TrumpCare
It’s unclear what any replacement proposals hold in store for pharmaceutical companies, but it seems like it might be a mixed bag. Meanwhile, some leaders in the industry think their colleagues’ relief at a Trump administration instead of a Clinton administration is premature.
The Five Major Hurdles Republicans Have To Overcome To Dismantle Health Law
Bloomberg offers a look at the problems facing congressional Republicans, including the fact that even after six years of ardently trying to come up with a replacement plan there has yet to be one that the party has gotten behind. Meanwhile, amid fears of a mass exodus of insurers from the marketplace, Republicans have begun talks with the companies to figure out what can be done to keep them.