Latest KFF Health News Stories
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.
Senate Republicans Reluctant To Tinker With Medicare, Despite House GOP’s Eagerness
Meanwhile, House Speaker Paul Ryan dismisses Democrats’ attacks over his vision for overhauling the program as “MediScare politics.”
First Edition: December 2, 2016
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Delivered ‘Like A Pizza’: Why Killer Drug Fentanyl Is So Hard To Stop
Just a few grains of pure fentanyl is enough to kill most users. But law enforcement sources say stopping the supply of the deadly synthetic opioid from China and Mexico is very difficult.
Medicaid Is Balm And Benefit For Victims Of Gun Violence
Young men injured by gunshot wounds often lacked insurance and went for years without proper follow-up care. The health law’s Medicaid expansion, in doubt since the election, changed that in many of the states with the most gun violence.
HSA Balances Climb But Benefits Reward Wealthier Consumers Most
Expanding health savings accounts is a step favored by President-elect Donald Trump and many GOP lawmakers as they contemplate ways to replace the health law.
Estudiantes de California ayudan a hispanos a estar sanos y en forma
Estudiantes de Cal State son instructores en un programa de ejercicio gratuito ofrecido en parques en el Valle de San Fernando, el sur de Los Ángeles, San Francisco y el condado de Stanislaus. Participan latinos, y muchos sufren de diabetes o hipertensión.
Viewpoints: Parsing The Future Of The Health Care System
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Opinion writers explore issues related to public health and health care quality.
Longer Looks: Tom Price; The Thin Gene; Cuban Health Care
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
State Highlights: Fees To Med-Mal Fund Reduced For Kan. Providers; Fla. Reports 7 New Zika Cases
Outlets report on health news from Kansas, Florida, Michigan, Massachusetts, California and Georgia.
In Colo., A Health System Battles Opioid Addiction By Managing Pain Without Pills
News outlets in Washington, Oregon and Illinois also report on other developments related to opioid use and abuse.