Latest KFF Health News Stories
Kentucky Governor’s Plan To Reshape Medicaid Expansion Debated At Forum
In other Medicaid news, though the outcome is uncertain, some Texas lawmakers are revisiting the cuts to Medicaid payments for disabled children that were made in 2015.
Doctor’s Note Deems Trump In ‘Excellent Physical Health’
The one-page letter provides a partial view into Donald Trump’s medical records, showing that he takes cholesterol medication and is overweight while recent EKG, chest X-ray and a colonoscopy results are normal.
Donald Trump Takes Positions On Medicaid Expansion, Birth Control And Abortion
The Republican presidential nominee says he supports expanding Medicaid to cover more low-income people, access to over-the-counter birth control and permanently prohibiting federal funds from being used for abortion. He also names a new head to his anti-abortion coalition. Meanwhile, on the trail, Trump and Hillary Clinton trade health barbs. And KHN examines five reasons why drug pricing has emerged as a 2016 campaign issue.
Still Long Road Ahead For Cures Bill As Upton Tries To Revive Measure
The 21st Century Cures Act has stalled in the Senate, and House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton wants to get it moving again. A revamped measure could be introduced as early as next week, but many say even that version would be nowhere near ready to pass. In other news from Capitol Hill, lawmakers introduce a bill to curb price gouging, MACRA’S close ties to the health law spell trouble, and the Senate approves funds for Flint.
Partisan Squabbling Intensifies Even As Aides Report Progress On Zika Funding
Republicans may be ready to relent on the Planned Parenthood provision at the center of the impasse over the bill, but this week alone has highlighted the sharp divide in Congress as the election draws closer.
Health Law’s Guarantees For Women On Breastfeeding Sometimes Fall Short
The law called for employers to provide “reasonable” time and private space for new mothers to express breast milk, but there are loopholes. Some Pennsylvania lawmakers would like to find a way for the state to buttress the provisions. Also, the effort to get young adults to buy insurance and to use the health care system is still stumbling.
Former Kansas Insurance Chief Says Health Law Could Be Fixed If Fellow Republicans Would Help
Sandy Praeger says, “There are some things that could be done if we could get Congress to be willing to come to the table to try to solve problems.” Meanwhile, another insurer is going on the marketplace in Maricopa County, Arizona, and Oregon settles a lawsuit related to problems initially getting its marketplace running.
Obama Redoubling Efforts To Shore Up Health Law As Concerns Grow About Marketplaces
The president met with insurers this week to press them to continue to support the effort, and the administration is preparing for a rocky opening of the fall enrollment period because of concerns about rising premiums and limited choices. Nonetheless, on one key measure the law is a marked success: the drop in the number of people without insurance.
First Edition: September 16, 2016
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Newly Covered By Medi-Cal, Undocumented Children Also Seek Dental Care
Some dental clinics are expanding their hours to meet demand, but can an already stressed system satisfy the needs of children who haven’t seen a dentist in years?
Studies Link Cancer Patient’s Survival Time To Insurance Status
Research on patients with testicular cancer and others fighting a brain malignancy finds that people who are privately insured are more likely to be diagnosed earlier and survive longer.
California Aims To Limit Surprise Medical Bills
The problem, known as balance billing, happens when patients are treated by an out-of-network professional at an in-network facility. Gov. Jerry Brown is expected to sign the legislation.
Candidates Decry High Drug Prices, But They Have Few Options For Voters
Drug prices rise for a variety of reasons but opportunities for the government to control them is limited.
Viewpoints: Birth Control And The Court; Hill Bickering On Zika; Trump’s New Entitlement
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Commentary On Candidates’ Health: ‘Powering Through’ Illness; Concerns On Trump’s Weight
Opinion writers examine some of the issues revolving around Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump’s health.
Perspectives On Health Reform: How Will The Election Affect The Path Ahead?
Commentators analyze how the election could affect the politics around the health law and possible changes.
Longer Looks: Catching Zika Mosquitoes, Climbing Drug Prices And Treating Sugar Like A Drug
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Outlets report on health news from Delaware, Indiana, Kentucky, Utah, Tennessee, Maryland, Massachusetts, Illinois, Georgia, California, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Ohio.
Iowa Supreme Court Asked To Review Governor’s Veto That Closed Two Mental Health Institutions
Meanwhile, Boston-area health centers get funding to improve children’s access to mental health services. In Ohio, drug treatment rules are debated. And Washington state’s largest psychiatric hospital is faulted for mistakes and lax security in a new report, following the escape of two violent patients.
Hospitals and medical centers in Texas, California, Illinois, Washington and Minnesota are in the news.