Latest KFF Health News Stories
Supreme Court Hears Case Hinging On Medical Standards For Intellectual Disabilities
Lawyers for Bobby J. Moore, a death-row inmate, are challenging his death sentence, saying Texas used outdated medical standards and looked to factors rooted in stereotypes while making its decision.
Mylan CEO Draws Grassley’s Ire By Giving Speeches But Not Testifying In Congress
In other drug industry news, a Sanofi partnership passes its first test and the Food and Drug Administration greenlights a trial for using Ecstasy to relieve PTSD.
Recent Stock Market Rally Led By Health Care Gains
UnitedHealth, which was one of the drivers of this trend, reported that it expects its earnings to grow in 2017 because of stable medical costs and less exposure to the Affordable Care Act’s health care exchanges, among other things.
At Antitrust Trial, Anthem Builds Defense Of Its Merger With Cigna
The big insurer argued that, as a result of its proposed $48 billion acquisition of Cigna, consumers would benefit while government attorneys maintain it will undermine competition.
Republicans: By Voting On Repeal Immediately, You Get Politics Out Of The Way
The Republicans in Congress say they want to vote quickly on dismantling the health law, and then take time to come up with a replace plan.
After Eleventh-Hour Negotiations, House Set To Vote On $6.3B Cures Bill
While Democrats are still unhappy with some aspects of the legislation, it’s expected to make it through the House and move on to a Senate vote next week.
CMS Pick Signals Shift Toward Requiring Medicaid Participants To Have ‘Skin In The Game’
Seema Verma, a health care consultant, was an architect of Indiana’s expansion of Medicaid, which requires participants to make monthly contributions.
Democrats Vow To Wage War Against Price Nomination
But they won’t be able to block Donald Trump’s pick for Health and Human Services secretary alone — they would need some Republicans to join them. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer thinks that’s within the realm of possibility.
With Price Nomination, Trump Undercuts Campaign Promise To Protect Medicare
Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga., Donald Trump’s choice to head the Department of Health and Human Services, is eager to overhaul the program that the incoming president swore to defend.
Price’s Vision For U.S. Health Care: Free-Market Framework, State Flexibility And Doctor Protections
The surgeon who is Donald Trump’s nomination for Health and Human Services secretary has a staunchly conservative plan that would largely remove the government from the health care industry.
Legislation To Improve Mental Health Care For Millions Sails Through House Vote
Sponsors of Congressional action up for vote Wednesday have championed mental health changes since the 2012 Newtown shootings.
First Edition: November 30, 2016
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Need Pricey Drugs From An Obamacare Plan? You’ll Shoulder More Of The Cost
A Kaiser Health News analysis finds that the portion of federal marketplace plans requiring people to pay a third or more of the cost of specialty drugs have jumped from 37 to 63 percent since 2014.
Push-ups In The Park: Cal State Students Lead Outdoor Exercise In Low-Income Areas
A program to boost physical activity at parks around California can help people lose weight and prevent – or control – chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
Tighter Prescribing Rules: An Anti-Abuse Strategy That Could Hurt Patients In Pain
Responding to a national epidemic, many state Medicaid programs are making the coverage rules for these opioid-based medicines tougher so that physicians will think twice before prescribing them. But some worry that legitimate pain patients could suffer.
Trump’s Pick To Run Medicare And Medicaid Has Red State Policy Chops
Seema Verma is a consultant who was Vice President-elect Mike Pence’s health policy advisor when he was governor of Indiana, playing a key role in Medicaid expansion in that state.
Price’s Appointment Boosts GOP Plans To Overhaul Medicare And Medicaid
Privatizing the Medicare program for the elderly and disabled and turning the Medicaid program for the poor back to the states are long-time goals for Republicans in Congress and the White House.
¿Sin anticonceptivos y gastando más?, qué le espera a las mujeres con el Trumpcare
La idea de que las mujeres perderían el acceso gratuito a anticonceptivos si la ley de salud se deroga o reemplaza es sólo la punta del iceberg del problema. Hay otros beneficios para la salud de las mujeres que también están en riesgo.
Viewpoints: Finding Cures And Medical Advances; Cost Of Caring For Microcephaly
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Perspectives On Obamacare: Amending? Repealing? Replacing? And Other Thoughts
Editorial and opinion writers offer different takes on what’s ahead in health policy as leaders grapple with what comes next.