Latest KFF Health News Stories
FDA Adds Black Box Warning To Essure Contraceptive Implant
The warning notes that the implant may puncture the fallopian tubes and uterus and travel into the abdomen and pelvic cavity, causing persistent pain and requiring surgical removal.
Viewed As ‘Prison Guard’ To Innovation By Trump’s Advisers, FDA Could Have Target On Its Back
Meanwhile, the agency is punting a decision to Congress and the incoming administration over how to regulate certain medical tests.
EpiPen-Maker Won’t Testify At Senate Hearing
Mylan says it is refusing the committee’s request because of the pending settlement and no one from CMS or the Justice Department will be attending.
Anthem: Unique Circumstances Of Insurance Industry Belie Antitrust Argument
The much-anticipated and closely watched trial over Anthem’s acquisition of Cigna kicked off on Monday.
Pelosi Says Republicans Will ‘Overplay Their Hands’ If They Try To Cut Medicare
The House Democratic leader pledges to fight any GOP efforts to overhaul the health program that serves older Americans. In other news: a look at how Republicans might cut Medicare funding as part of efforts by President-elect Donald Trump’s “trillion-dollar” agenda, and congressional Democrats are lobbying the administration to drop a plan to change how Medicare pays for some prescription drugs.
Trump’s Conflicting Statements, GOP Interest In Overhauling Medicaid Raise New Concerns
On the campaign trail, candidate Donald Trump vowed to maintain coverage for low-income Americans. But his comments since the election suggest the president-elect favors key changes in the program, including sending much of the control and funding to the states to manage. In Kentucky, where the health law’s expansion of Medicaid has been quite successful, some new enrollees are concerned about their future coverage. Also, Arkansas weighs some changes to Medicaid administration.
Obamacare Lite? Ryan’s Replace Plan Looks Like Skimpier Version Of ACA
House Speaker Paul Ryan released a replacement plan in June, but critics say it looks similar to the health law — with fewer benefits and fewer people covered. Meanwhile, The Associated Press offers a look at the hurdles Republicans will face while attempting to dismantle President Barack Obama’s signature legislation.
Fate Of Business Linked To Trump’s Family Rests On How He’ll Move Forward With Health Care
The brother of Donald Trump’s son-in-law is the co-founder of a health care startup that is thoroughly tied to the Affordable Care Act
House Republicans Ask Court To Pause Case Over Health Law’s ‘Insurer Bailout’
If the cost-sharing reduction payments, which are being contested in the court, were eliminated, insurers would either have to sharply raise premiums or exit the ACA exchange markets.
First Edition: November 22, 2016
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
To Get Disability Help In Kansas, Thousands Face A 7-Year Medicaid Waitlist
Nick Fugate has a cognitive disability but held a job and was independent for years. Then he lost his dishwashing job and learned there are long delays getting help he needs from Medicaid in Kansas.
Clinics Help Keep People With Serious Mental Illness Out Of ER
Providing regular care at a Texas clinic prevents patients from cycling back to the hospital in a psychiatric crisis.
Dementia Rates Decline Sharply Among Senior Citizens
Education and better heart health may deserve credit.
Dramática baja de la tasa de demencia en adultos mayores de Estados Unidos
Un nuevo estudio halló que la prevalencia de demencia ha caído considerablemente en los últimos años, en gran parte como resultado del aumento de los niveles de educación y la mejor salud cardíaca de los estadounidenses, factores que están directamente relacionados con la salud cerebral.
Viewpoints: Finding Common Ground On Health Law; Surgeon General’s Pivotal Stand On Opioids
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Outlets report on health news from Massachusetts, California, Idaho, Florida, Louisiana, New Hampshire, Texas, Pennsylvania and Ohio.
Expectations Are High For Trump’s Moves On Abortion, But Sweeping Changes Are Unlikely
Smaller state-level skirmishes are expected to continue, but any major nationwide changes won’t happen overnight — if at all.
Science Fiction Or Achievable Target?: Scientists Make Headway On Multi-Year Flu Vaccine
In other public health news: young adults that were part of the surge in autism diagnoses head to college; research on female head trauma lags behind because of a dearth of donors; the election continues to effect Americans’ health; chronic pain isn’t just a problem for adults; and more.
Alleviating Loneliness Can Aid Recovery: Calif. Hospital Pairs Older Patients With Companions
In other news on care for the aging population, Californians debate if people with Alzheimer’s should be excluded from the state’s new aid-in-dying law. And opinions about surgery for older lung cancer patients is changing.
U.S. Attorney Wants To Treat Overdose Deaths Like Crime Scenes
A U.S. attorney in New York wants to go after dealers in an effort to curb the opioid epidemic ravaging the country. Meanwhile, reducing the amount of potent synthetic drug fentanyl on the street is proving to be complicated for enforcement agents.