Latest KFF Health News Stories
First Sustained Drop Of New Diabetes Cases Reported In 25 Years, According To CDC
Researchers found that the rate of new diagnoses fell by about a fifth from 2008 to 2014. Experts don’t know if the decline is due to diabetes prevention efforts taking hold or if the disease has peaked in the population. In other public health news, government officials reevaluate the influential health survey while scientists and ethicists hold a summit on gene editing.
Despite Voters’ Drug Price Concerns, GOP Candidates Offer Few Options On The Issue
Politico examines how the Republican presidential candidates are dealing with consumers’ unhappiness over rapidly rising drug costs. Also, STAT analyzes investments in health care companies by members of Congress.
UnitedHealth Projects Revenue In 2016 Will Be Lower Than Analysts’ Estimates
Last month the insurer said that its participation in the health law exchanges would cut into profits. In other marketplace news, Arizona regulators found “deficiencies” during inspections of blood-testing startup Theranos’ labs. And AppDynamics, a firm that helps customers find bugs in computer code, raises $158 million in funding.
Ever Wonder Why Rx Drugs Cost So Much In The U.S.?
The Wall Street Journal examines the cost of prescription drugs in the U.S. compared with other developed nations while other news outlets report that Express Scripts will offer a lower-cost alternative to a $750-per-pill medication made by Turing Pharmaceuticals. In the background, STAT finds that public opinion supports government actions to hold down drug costs — such as allowing Medicare to negotiate prices with drug companies.
Insurance Shoppers Beware: Experts Warn Against Picking Health Insurance Just On Premium Costs
In other health law and insurance news, media outlets report on continued problems on Vermont’s health insurance exchange, families struggle with growing long-term care costs and the Supreme Court is set to hear a case on states’ efforts to collect health insurance claims in a database.
GOP Leader Indicates No Shutdown Expected On Planned Parenthood Funding
House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., signaled that Republicans are unlikely to force a government shutdown over federal funding for the reproductive health group. Meanwhile, U.S. senators from California are urging colleagues to “tone down” their rhetoric on the abortion issue after Friday’s shooting at a Colorado Planned Parenthood clinic. However, other news outlets examine the dynamics in this heated debate and report on some of the most recent verbal salvos.
Senate Scheduled To Vote This Week On Obamacare Repeal
The Senate legislation would delete large parts of the 2010 health law and will likely set up a veto fight with President Barack Obama. At the same time, Congress will attempt to move forward on key budget issues.
Major Insurer Says It Will Offer Individual Life Insurance Coverage To People With HIV
The move signals growing recognition of HIV/AIDS’ transformation from a death sentence to a serious but manageable disease.
Aid-In-Dying Laws Only Accentuate Need For Palliative Care, Providers Say
Doctors who minister to seriously ill patients say the flurry of aid-in-dying laws show just how afraid people are of a painful death, and how important it is to ease their suffering.
Sweet Name Of Kids’ Clinic Gives Some People Heartburn
The Krispy Kreme Challenge Children’s Specialty Clinic gets its name from a student-run charity race in Raleigh, N.C., that has already raised $1 million for kids. Still, some find the name unhealthy.
Viewpoints: Generational Disparities On Entitlements; Fears On Iowa’s Medicaid Plan
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
News outlets report on health care developments in New York, Iowa, Florida, Missouri, Ohio, Washington, Michigan, California, Mississippi, Illinois and New Jersey.
Planned Parenthood Considers Suit Against Missouri If Clinic’s Abortion License Is Revoked
Only one clinic in the state still performs abortions after another halted the procedures last week. In other state news, Washington’s attorney general’s office finds no wrongdoing by Planned Parenthood in the state following a review prompted by a July letter from Republican state lawmakers.
Presidential Candidates’ Health Care Positions Would Affect Consumers’ Finances, Retirement Plans
Meanwhile, The Associated Press details presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders’ plans to “repeal and replace” Obamacare, while The New York Times checks in on Sen. Ted Cruz’s campaign. News outlets also report on how the GOP field is dealing with the Planned Parenthood shooting in Colorado Springs and the drug abuse issue.
Abortion Debate’s Polarized Rhetoric Scrutinized After Colorado Planned Parenthood Shooting
News outlets examine the contention from abortion rights groups that the recent escalation of the abortion debate may have contributed to this attack. Meanwhile, articles also look at how the shooting may add to the challenges on Capitol Hill and may lead clinics to re-examine their security measures.
Detailing New Medicare Part B Premium Help
Changes signed into law by President Barack Obama will help shield some 17 million Americans from steep premium hikes. Elsewhere, longer wait times — and administrative appeals — make some with Social Security disability benefits wait.
Pfizer-Allergan Merger Could Disrupt Companies That Conduct Research For Drug Giants
In other prescription drug news, the head of Turing Pharmaceuticals says the company’s decision to raise the parasitic infection treatment Daraprim to $750 a pill from $13.50 a pill “doesn’t affect the system at all.” In other pharma news, The New York Times reports on the Coalition for Affordable Drugs, a company set up to challenge weak or abusive patents.
Congress Struggles To Find Consensus On Comprehensive Mental Health Bill
Some high-profile attacks by people with mental health problems have prompted interest in reforming treatment options, but Congress has not yet settled on a policy.
GOP And Dems Still Divided Over Budget Issues As Deadline For Passage Approaches
Funding for the federal government expires on Dec. 11, and the parties are at odds about policy riders and funding decisions that could be part of the bill to keep the government running.
Collapse Of Co-Ops, Other Signs Of Market Instability Draw Concerns From Across The Spectrum
The demise of New York’s Health Republic is the most recent health insurance co-operative to come undone, though some — like a Connecticut co-op — offer a different story.