Latest KFF Health News Stories
Clinton Faces Pressure From Both Parties During Fallout Over Aetna Exit
Democrats renew calls for a public option, while Republicans are using the withdrawal as the latest example of why the law needs to be completely scrapped.
Latest Setback Highlights ACA’s Intrinsic Problem: It Incentivizes Insurers To Misprice Risk
Aetna’s decision to leave all but a handful of states is just the latest move that highlights an issue with the economic stability of the law. By circumscribing insurers’ ability to underwrite risks, the Affordable Care Act distorts how insurance is priced. Meanwhile, the administration prepares for a new push to get people enrolled, but many say it’s too little, too late.
Aetna Warned DOJ: Block Humana Merger And We’ll Pull Out Of ACA Markets
A letter from Aetna’s CEO reveals a clear threat to the Department of Justice that if it challenged Aetna’s proposed merger with Humana it would need to take immediate action to “to mitigate public exchange and ACA small group losses.”
Survey: Millions More Californians Insured After Obamacare Launch, Medicaid Expansion
But the remaining uninsured are tough to reach.
First Edition: August 18, 2016
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Obamacare Marketplace Shakeout Rocks Arizona, Southeast
Fewer choices in 2017 health care plans await consumers in dozens of markets where Aetna, UnitedHealthcare and Humana are pulling out, but withdrawals may hit Arizona, the Carolinas, Georgia and parts of Florida hardest.
California Lawmaker Pulls Plug On Drug Price Transparency Bill
The legislation would have required drug companies to notify the state and insurers about expensive new treatments or price hikes.
Genetic Insights About Health Risks Limited By Lack Of Diversity, Study Finds
A study in the New England Journal of Medicine detailed how the diagnoses of risk for a common hereditary heart disease may have been skewed because studies have traditionally had low numbers of black participants.
People With Obamacare Plans Filled More Prescriptions, But Had Lower Costs
A study explores how coverage gains resulting from the federal health law may have changed people’s health care habits and spending.
Viewpoints: Will Obamacare Survive Or Collapse?; DEA ‘Reefer Madness’
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Perspectives On Drug Costs: Congress Must Say Enough Is Enough
Recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Drugmakers Pump Donations Into 2016 War Chests — Here’s Where It’s Going
News outlets report on the pharmaceutical drug industry.
Outlets report on health news from Massachusetts, Colorado, Connecticut, California, Florida, Virginia and New York.
Kentucky AG Sues Johnson & Johnson, Says Company ‘Chose Profits Over People’
Kentucky is the third state to sue the company over its vaginal mesh products.
Majority Of Americans Concerned Government Isn’t Prepared For Zika Outbreak
A recent poll shows that about 1 in 4 Americans are very concerned about the Zika virus, but more than double have qualms about the federal government’s ability to adequately handle an outbreak.
Public Health Roundup: Discarded Organs; Elevated Cancer Risks; And Superbugs From Pets
Media outlets also report on efforts to use fitness apps to make exercise more enjoyable and the risk that strollers and car seats pose to children.
Michael Bromberg, Former Head Of The Federation Of American Hospitals, Dies
Bromberg was a leading health-care lobbyist who often avoided the spotlight but cultivated support from both political parties. He unsuccessfully sought to get the Clinton administration to modify its plan for health reform and then played a key role in fighting the proposal.
Colorado Didn’t Qualify For $38 Million Bonus It Got From Medicaid, Federal Audit Finds
The Health and Human Services inspector general’s office says the state received money for children who didn’t qualify. Meanwhile, in Kansas, state officials cancel public meetings on plans to cut reimbursements for Medicaid providers.
The Woman Behind The Changing Face Of Planned Parenthood
A lightning rod in the charged atmosphere of the current debate on abortion, Planned Parenthood head Cecile Richards is viewed as a heroic defender of women’s health care or a cunning puppet-master — depending on who is doing the talking.
New Osteoporosis Drug Would Offer An Additional Treatment Option
The drug, which garnered promising results in a large clinical trial, is expected to win approval from the Food and Drug Administration. Meanwhile, another article examines why medicating kids with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder makes them safer.