Latest KFF Health News Stories
Connection Found Between Low-Income Communities And Fewer Hospital Stars
A study in JAMA finds that a hospital’s rating is heavily influenced by the socio-economic conditions of its community. Also, another study examines how some seniors may not understand the benefits of their Medicare Advantage plans.
With GOP In Control, Planned Parenthood Defunding Becomes Question Of ‘When’ Not ‘If’
Congressional Republicans plan to move on legislation cutting of all federal funds to the organization early next year, according to sources.
‘I Appreciate Your Sacrifice’: Obama Makes Likely Last Visit To Walter Reed As President
Aides have said the visits to wounded soldiers have taken a heavy emotional toll on the outgoing commander-in-chief.
Zenefits Slammed With $7M Fine From California Insurance Regulator
California regulators called it “one of the largest penalties for licensing violations ever assessed in the department’s history.”
Fresh Details Of Behind-The-Scenes Rift Between Anthem, Cigna Revealed
Unsealed testimony from a court hearing on the companies’ proposed merger show that Cigna officials questioned Anthem’s post-acquisition plans, while Anthem executives tried to move forward unilaterally when Cigna ceased cooperating with them on various deal-related issues.
80 Percent Of Americans Want Health Law Changed Or Replaced, Poll Finds
Gallup found that 43 percent of people want to see the law change significantly, but not repealed, while thirty-seven percent want it repealed and replaced. In other news, KHN looks at how dismantling the health law will affect women’s coverage beyond contraception access, environmental groups eye new health alliances as a rollback of the ACA threatens progress they’ve made, and an audit finds Minnesota’s exchange improperly spent $1.2 million in grants.
Warren Says Big Pharma Has Hijacked Cures Bill: ‘I Know Difference Between Compromise And Extortion’
Among aspects of the legislation that Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., finds problematic are a provision that would roll back requirements for doctors to report some “Sunshine Act” payments from drug companies, a measure that would permit drug companies to market drugs for unapproved uses as legalized fraud and provisions designed to speed approval for stem cell therapies.
Tom Price, Vocal And Dogged Opponent Of Health Law, Picked To Lead HHS
Rep. Tom Price, an orthopedic surgeon from Georgia, has introduced bills offering a detailed, comprehensive replacement plan in every Congress since 2009. Donald Trump also names consultant Seema Verma to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
First Edition: November 29, 2016
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Deadly Infections Linked To Heart Surgery Device Highlight Holes In FDA Monitoring
The federal agency took 14 months to warn the public about the potential for infections. Officials say they acted as fast as they could.
Worries About Health Insurance Cross Political Boundaries
The uncertainty over what could replace Obamacare has left many uneasy about what will happen with their medical care.
Beyond Birth Control, Women Could Pay More For Insurance Again Under TrumpCare
The federal health law offered new coverage guarantees for women, and some advocates fear they could change under Republicans’ efforts to “repeal and replace” the Affordable Care Act.
Lo que podría hacer Mike Pence con el Medicaid
El gobernador de Indiana, Mike Pence, fue uno de los 10 gobernadores republicanos que expandió el Medicaid bajo el Obamacare, pero como compañero de fórmula del ahora presidente electo Donald Trump, está pidiendo la derogación y reemplazo de la ley.
Solos y envejeciendo: quién cuida a los adultos mayores sin familia
Cada vez más adultos mayores se encuentran solos en una etapa de la vida en la que necesitan la ayuda de un ser querido. Esfuerzos nacionales buscan crear nuevas redes sociales para apoyar a esta población.
Viewpoints: Medicare, Medicaid And The Trump World Order; Abortion Across State Lines
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Outlets report on health news from Ohio, Iowa, Massachusetts, Illinois, Minnesota, Georgia, California, Wisconsin, Missouri, New Hampshire and Florida.
Opposition Builds Over Proposed Tennessee Hospital Merger
In other hospital-related news, Johns Hopkins will expand urgent care to cancer patients while other hospitals are improving patients’ access to world class cancer care by linking up with top-ranked oncology centers. Outlets also report on developments in Massachusetts and New Jersey.
States Turning To Private Firms To Manage Medicaid’s Long-Term Care Services
Many states until recently had not included Medicaid enrollees with disabilities in managed care programs. News outlets also report on Medicaid news from Florida and Alabama.
Advocates See Recent Sweep Of Soda Taxes As Watershed Moment
Cash-strapped cities are beginning to realize the benefits of the tax that’s gaining wider acceptance with the general population. In other public health news, tens of thousands of migrant farmworkers and their families face a malnutrition crisis in California, the mosquito called “one of the most efficient killers in the world” is spreading, an HIV vaccine trial offers hope, a new field of study looks at how treatment of cancer in dogs can help humans, and more.
Care For Pregnant Women Addicted To Opioids Is Focus Of New Nashville Health System
In other news on regional efforts to combat the drug abuse epidemic, Columbus, Ohio, plans for a new recovery high school.