Latest KFF Health News Stories
Drug Executives: Price Hikes A ‘Reality’ In Competitive Marketplace
A new survey finds that the costs of drugs has risen across the board on a wide-range of medications, more than doubling for 60 drugs in the past year. Meanwhile, a generic version of a promising cancer drug, which costs about 30 percent less, is hitting the market.
What Will Cancer ‘Moonshot’ Cost? Obama Seeks $1 Billion That Researchers Say Is Not Enough
President Barack Obama will request an increase from Congress that would bump up total funding for a cancer initiative to $1 billion over the next two years. But biological researchers warn that money will go fast.
Also in the news, Gilead Sciences Inc. CEO John Martin will step down and be replaced by Chief Operating Officer John Milligan.
Aetna Profits Beat Expectations Despite Losses From ACA Plans
Even after posting a 38-percent surge in fourth-quarter earnings, Aetna joins the voices of other large insurers who are concerned about the sustainability of the health law plans.
Ryan, Obama To Meet As House Prepares For Vote On Overriding Veto On Health Law Repeal
It will be the first one-on-one meeting between the president and the Wisconsin Republican since he became speaker of the House. Also in health law news, a look at efforts in New York and Minnesota to offer more affordable policies to low-income residents, Minnesota reports its enrollment numbers and an Ohio insurer drops a health system from its network.
Iowa Caucuses: Cruz Beats Trump; Clinton Claims Narrow Victory
The night signals a long road ahead for both parties.
‘Critical Illness’ Insurance Grows As Out-Of-Pocket Health Costs Jump
A relatively obscure category of health insurance — “critical illness” insurance — is catching on because, increasingly, conventional health plans have consumers paying a lot of out-of-pocket costs. Mark Zdechlik of Minnesota Public Radio explains the pros and cons of critical care insurance in this story that aired on NPR’s Morning Edition.
First Edition: February 2, 2016
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N.Y., Minn. Opt For Low-Cost Plans To Help Some Residents Afford Coverage
Both states are offering “basic health programs” that provide policies to consumers with low monthly premiums and copayments, and low or no deductibles.
Hospitals Employ Email ‘Empathy’ To Help Doctors And Patients Keep In Touch
A better way to communicate with patients and track their progress?
Insurer’s Approval Of Genetic Testing For Some Cancers Raises Questions
The decision by Independence Blue Cross of Pennsylvania to pay for whole genome sequencing for some cancer patients adds to the debate about how to handle these expensive tests.
Study: Doctors’ Texts Can Prod Patients To Take Drugs, But Questions Linger
In an analysis published Monday in JAMA Internal Medicine, researchers found that text message reminders help patients do better when it comes to taking their medicines. But questions about the specific ways to make the most of this strategy remain.
Viewpoints: Health Premiums Bust Wallets; Affordability Of Care, Access To Insurance Go Together
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
News outlets report on health care developments in California, Ohio, Massachusetts, Illinois, Hawaii, Florida, Minnesota, Texas and Delaware.
Republican Efforts Against Planned Parenthood In Texas Produce Few Results
The grand jury investigation is just one of several steps Texas Republicans have taken against the reproductive health organization. Media outlets also report on abortion news in Florida and Kentucky.
Cancer Moonshot Ignites Long-Simmering Firestorm Over Data Sharing
The research community has been set asunder over how fast scientists should share data. In other public health news, concerns arise in Flint, Michigan, over children who have been affected by the water crisis, a program helps adults who were childhood cancer survivors as they face unique challenges, and a study finds fiber reduces breast cancer risk.
Health Care Attacks Escalate As Candidates Make Final Push Before Caucuses
Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton says opponent Bernie Sanders’ health care plan will “never, ever come to pass,” and targets Republican Ted Cruz over his lack of a plan to replace the Affordable Care Act. Meanwhile, Sanders defends his proposals from critics who call them unrealistic. And STAT looks at how Americans’ health care has become the defining battle between the two candidates.
Advocates’ Focus Turns To Enrolling Millions Of People Eligible For Medicaid
Nationally, as many as 6 million people eligible for Medicaid have not signed up, The Wall Street Journal reports. In addition, reports provide expansion news in Arkansas, Indiana, Louisiana, Alaska and South Dakota.
IRS Alerts Consumers To Insurance Penalty Tax Scam
Tax preparers are keeping the money from the fines their clients are paying for being uninsured, as mandated by the Affordable Care Act. The agency said the creators of these schemes have been “targeting taxpayers with limited English proficiency and, in particular, those who primarily speak Spanish.”
Enrollment Period Comes To An End With Little Fanfare From Administration
Federal officials are quiet about information on website traffic and enrollment from the weekend. Meanwhile, Maryland and California, two states that run their own exchanges, offer enrollment extensions.