Latest KFF Health News Stories
Scientists Research Benefits On Aging Of Killing Off Older Cells
In mice, reducing so-called senescent cells in the body likely kept the animal healthier longer. But the process would be hard to replicate for humans. In other health research, a scientific panel decides it could be “ethically permissible” for a baby to have genes from three people. And Stanford University says its new DNA screening test can more accurately diagnose cystic fibrosis in babies.
Blood Banks Rejecting Donors Who Have Visited Zika-Affected Areas To Protect Supply
The FDA is still considering if it should make binding recommendations. Meanwhile, partisan rumblings over the administration’s response to the virus are starting to emerge from Capitol Hill, and researchers are frustrated with the lack of data coming out of Brazil.
Study: Births Among Low-Income Families Rose After Texas Cut Planned Parenthood Funding
The findings could be a sign of what’s to come in other states taking similar steps with the organization.
UnitedHealthcare Sues HHS Over Medicare Advantage Overpayment Rule
The 41 UnitedHealth Group companies say the regulation will result in underpayment to insurers. In other news, the administration nears its goal for revamping the way Medicare providers are paid.
Pharma Pushes Patients To Take Their Medicine
Stat reports that worldwide the pharmaceutical industry loses tens of billions of dollars each year because patients don’t comply with their drug regimens.
After Posting Declining Profits, Merck Looks To Make Gains In 2016 With Cancer, Hep C Drugs
The company’s treatment for hepatitis C was approved by the FDA last week. In other news, GlaxoSmithKline says it will probably not spin off or sell its consumer health business.
New Study Questions Price Tag On Sanders’ ‘Medicare For All’ Plan
An analysis by the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget projects the candidate’s health care plans could add $3 trillion or more to the national debt over the next 10 years.
Slower Health Care Inflation Helps U.S. Debt Outlook, But Medicare Looms In Background
Lower interest rates have postponed the day of reckoning, but entitlements still need long-term solutions to stave off financial doomsday — a problem that the next person in the White House will face.
Ryan Urges GOP To Stop Over-Promising, Citing Health Law Repeal Attempts
“We can’t promise that we can repeal Obamacare when a guy with the last name Obama is president,” the speaker said. In other news from Capitol Hill, a health law dispute could hold up the OPM director’s confirmation; lawmakers hold a hearing on the heath care service deficiencies reported on Indian reservations; and a congressional panel takes up the Flint water crisis.
At House Hearing, Pharma Execs Expected To Argue Price Hikes Affect Hospitals, Not Patients
But Martin Shkreli is expected to remain silent on the topic by pleading the Fifth at the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Valeant’s interim CEO, though, will urge the lawmakers to rewrite rules regulating how drug companies help Medicare patients with out-of-pocket costs.
As Governor Seeks To Revamp Health Policies, Survey Shows Ky. Leads On Reducing Uninsured Rate
A new Gallup-Healthways survey shows that Kentucky and Arkansas had the largest drops in the rate of uninsured residents. This comes as the new Republican governor is seeking to pull back Kentucky’s aggressive program. Also in the news, a lawsuit by Alaska legislators seeking to roll back the Medicaid expansion program there heads to court today, and a Democratic lawmaker in Utah is seeking a state vote on the issue.
Obama To Propose Changes In Health Law’s Cadillac Tax In His Budget, Aide Says
Jason Furman, the chairman of the White House Council of Economic Advisers, writes in the New England Journal of Medicine that the change would reduce the effect of the tax in some regions of the country. Also in health law news, reports about new grants to study the link between social issues and health, concerns about how the insurance industry is reacting to transitions caused by Obamacare, the effects on small businesses and enrollment numbers in Colorado.
First Edition: February 4, 2016
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Cutting Edge DNA Technology Could Boost Cystic Fibrosis Screening For Newborns
Researchers say tests could be faster, cheaper, more accurate.
Licking Wounds, Insurers Accelerate Moves To Limit Health-Law Enrollment
Major changes in broker compensation are designed to discourage enrollment of the sickest, say consumer advocates.
Viewpoints: President Obama On Curbing Opioid Abuse; Is This The End Of Entitlement Reform?
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
News outlets report on health care issues in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Washington, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Florida and Wyoming.
Health Officials Confirm Sexually Transmitted Zika Case In Texas
Meanwhile, a pharmaceutical company hopes to build off its work with dengue fever in the race to create a vaccine. And states are stepping up to offer prevention measures.
Study: Allowing Surgeons-In-Training To Work Longer Hours Doesn’t Affect Patient Safety
The study comes as the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education is reassessing strict rules that were put in place to combat any issues brought on by fatigue. Some resident directors are pushing back against the restrictions.
Insurers Face Lawsuits Alleging They’re Unfairly Rationing Expensive Hep C Drugs
A handful of cases nationwide are aimed at forcing insurers to provide the necessary drugs to patients regardless of the high cost. Elsewhere, in Montana, a woman is suing her health care providers because she says they failed to diagnose her unborn child’s cystic fibrosis.