Latest KFF Health News Stories
Viewpoints: Obamacare Premium Hikes — A Pothole? A Collapse? And How To Save It?
A selection of opinions and editorials from around the country.
Perspectives On Health Care On The Campaign Trail; N.C.’s Medicaid Expansion
Editorial and opinion writers offer views on a range of health care issues.
Research Roundup: Medicaid Efforts To Combat Tobacco; Premium Changes; Views On Drugs
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Outlets report on health news from Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Ohio, District of Columbia, California, Tennessee, Georgia and Wisconsin.
Michigan Governor Vetoes Bills Designed To Repair Flaws In State’s Medicaid Funding
The package of bills would have changed how Michigan raises funds to match federal dollars for Medicaid. Also, a look at how California’s Medicaid program can make it difficult for patients with mental health issues to get adequate care.
In Kansas, Program To Give Vets Health Options Drives Up Hospital’s Uncompensated Care Costs
In other related news, a one-day, free dental clinic for veterans in Florida filled up quickly.
Why Spending The Zika Money Isn’t As Easy As It Seems
Marketplace looks at why allocating and spending the funds to fight the Zika virus is more complex than it would seem.
Her Daughter Was Scared Of Needles, So She Didn’t Push For Flu Shot. It Was A Fatal Mistake.
One woman is trying to get the message out about the importance of flu shots after her child died, not wanting others to make the same mistake as she did. Meanwhile threats to public health often flourish in a bad economy.
If A Patient Knows It’s A Placebo Will The Benefits Still Work?
Placebos have been shown to help ease pain and other symptoms, but doctors can’t ethically prescribe them to patients. Some scientists want to rescue placebos from the “garbage pail” of clinical practice.
He Had A Financial Plan For Retirement — Then He Was Diagnosed With Alzheimer’s
Not only can a diagnosis of dementia rock patients’ financial security by forcing them out of the workforce early, but a common symptom is money problems — such as not paying bills on time and giving away funds needed for living expenses.
Why Opioid Users Overdosing In Cars Is ‘New Norm’: They’re More Likely To Survive
It’s another day and there’s another photo going viral of a woman who overdosed with her child in the backseat. Cops and other experts say it’s a common scene because an overdose is more likely to be fatal at home where there’s a chance no one would find them for days.
Aetna Reports Revenue Up As Medicare, Medicaid Plans Perform Well
But the insurer lowered its forecast because of membership declines in commercial policies and losses from its business on the health law marketplaces.
Senators Release Bipartisan Plan To Revamp Medicare Coverage For Chronic Diseases
Treating chronic diseases accounts for 86 percent of the nation’s health care spending so the senators’ efforts to make Medicare policy more efficient could help both the patient and the budget. Also, federal officials are temporarily blocking more insurers from automatically switching customers to Medicare.
Call To Address High Drug Prices Threatens Passage Of Cures Bill
“There is no justification for moving forward with legislation that provides substantial benefits to the drug industry without asking for something in return,” liberal groups wrote to the House Energy and Commerce Committee. It’s unlikely, though, that Republicans would agree to such additions.
Pepsi Joins Effort to Make TB Medication Sweeter And Easier To Swallow For Kids
In other pharma news: what would a big election win for Democrats mean for the biotech industry; a Cuban lung-cancer vaccine gets its first U.S. clinical trial; and AstraZeneca halts enrollment into two trials for a head and neck-cancer treatment while it investigates bleeding in some patients.
Pentagon Paid Millions More Buying EpiPens At Retail Prices
The Defense Department gets a discount on EpiPens dispensed at military treatment facilities and by mail order, but nearly half of its spending was at retail pharmacies where it most recently paid an average of $509 for EpiPen and $528 for EpiPen Jr two-packs. In total, the Pentagon paid about $54 million more than it should have from 2009 to 2016.
Clinton Promises To Fix Obamacare If She Wins, But Her Proposals Face Long Odds In Congress
The candidate’s suggestions to improve the health law are anathema to congressional Republicans.
Governor Suggests Rebate Plan As Minn.’s Exchange Crisis Fans Political Tensions
Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton proposes a state-funded rebate to help offset the spiking premiums facing the state’s residents. Media outlets also report on developments in Maryland, Connecticut and California.
Dwindling Choices In Health Law Marketplace May Be Trickier Issue Than Spiking Premiums
Subsidies provide a safety net for most customers, but there’s not a backup plan if insurers completely pulling out of the marketplace. Meanwhile, President Barack Obama paints a sunny picture of his signature law in the face of negative news about the premiums.
First Edition: October 28, 2016
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.