Latest KFF Health News Stories
CMS Eases Expected 2024 Payment Rate Cut To Medicare Advantage Insurers
Medicare Advantage providers face a 1.12% average cut in next year’s reimbursement rates, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced Friday — lower after intense industry lobbying than the 2.3% drop regulators had previously proposed. Additional changes aimed at combatting overbilling by providers will be phased in over a 3-year period.
Medicare Fund Projected To Run Out By 2031; Social Security By 2033
An annual report by the Boards of Trustees of the Social Security and Medicare trust funds warns that both could become insolvent within the next decade without congressional action. If the Medicare Hospital Trust Fund falls short, recipients would face automatic cuts to benefits.
‘Kraken’ Variant Surging In India Might Be Most Infectious Covid Strain Yet
World Health Organization experts say XBB.1.16 is fueling a steady rise in cases and is “one to watch.” Meanwhile, a treatment called a stellate ganglion block might help people with long covid who are suffering from loss of smell and taste.
Local Anti-Abortion Ordinances Blocked By New Mexico Supreme Court
AP explains that the legal move, in place pending the outcome of a case centered on constitutional rights, follows the state’s recent adoption of a new abortion rights bill. An “expensive” court case deciding the future of abortion in Wisconsin is also in the news.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
Each week, KHN finds longer stories for you to enjoy. This week’s selections include stories on malpractice, menstruation, mental health, prosthetics, and more.
North Dakota Governor, Senate Battle Over Trans Pronouns Bill
A bill that would “generally prohibit” public school teachers from using student pronouns different to that assigned at birth was vetoed by Gov. Doug Burgum, AP says. But the Senate then voted to overturn the veto. Meanwhile, in Texas an anti-trans minors’ gender care bill was modified slightly.
Researchers ID Covid Variants That Resist Antiviral Treatments
A study into covid virus variants spots several mutations that confer resistance to antiviral treatments like Paxlovid. The changes emerged independently around the world, and could spread. Meanwhile, Hollywood drops its covid safety measures.
During Pandemic, Doctors Signed Many More Prescriptions For ADHD
A study shows a surge of ADHD treatment prescriptions during the covid pandemic, especially among adults, with the mental health impact of the crisis possibly exacerbating symptoms. “Skinny labels,” PBM tactics, burned out pharmacists, and more are also in pharmaceutical news.
Health Tech In Focus At ViVE Event; Google, Salesforce Invest In ER Startup
Modern Healthcare sums up news from the second week of the ViVE conference, where hot topics include AI systems like ChatGPT and data privacy and their impact on health care. Separately, Google and Salesforce have injected venture capital funds for a company called Florence, aimed at hospital emergency rooms.
Gunman In 2017 Las Vegas Attack Was Resentful Of How Casino Treated Him
Recently released FBI documents say Stephen Paddock, 64, killed 58 people from a window of the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino because he was “very upset” that high-rolling gamblers were not getting enough perks. Still, behavioral experts have found “no single or clear motivating factor” for his actions, USA Today reported.
Editorial writers delve into these public health topics.
Patients May Carry Costs After Judge Strikes Down ACA’s Free Preventive Care Provision
A federal judge on Thursday overturned a portion of the Affordable Care Act that makes preventive services, such as some cancer screenings and some drugs, free to enrollees. The decision could affect health costs for insurance policyholders nationwide, though the decision is expected to be challenged in court.
Coverage For Millions Drops Off Medicaid Cliff As Covid Protections End
An anticipated 15 million low-income Americans will drop off Medicaid rolls as federal pandemic protections begin to unwind. Some states are telling people not to panic, and some are working to avoid a coverage gap for patients. Changing Republican stances on sex education and birth control are also in the news.
For The 7th Time, House Democrats Try Bill To Protect Federal Abortion Rights
The Women’s Health Protection Act, which would enshrine federal abortion rights and protect interstate travel for care, was introduced in the House for the seventh time. The bill is unlikely to advance in the Republican-controlled chamber.
Puzzling Child Hepatitis Cases May Be Linked To Barrage Of Common Viruses
Three independent studies have found evidence that a common childhood virus — adeno-associated virus 2, or AAV2 — may be a primary culprit behind last year’s outbreak of rare hepatitis cases among kids worldwide. The research shows, though, that it needed the aid of other “helper” viruses to infect the liver.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Can CDC Regain Our Trust?; Holdout States Slowly Coming Around On Expanded Medicaid
Editorial writers examine these public health topics.
Idaho Lawmakers Aim To Criminalize Helping With A Minor’s Abortion
AP reports Idaho lawmakers are considering making it illegal for an adult to help a minor get an abortion without parental consent, labeling this act “abortion trafficking” and using a legal trick to sidestep the constitutional right to travel between states. Florida’s proposed six-week abortion ban also advanced.
Kentucky Governor Vetoed Anti-Trans Bill. GOP Lawmakers Overturned That
The anti-transgender bill, which USA Today labeled “among the nation’s toughest,” was protested by “hundreds,” but the Republican-dominated Legislature still decided to overturn Democrat Gov. Andy Beshear’s veto. The bill affects youngsters’ gender care and restricts their bathroom options.