Latest KFF Health News Stories
Behind The Scenes: Blind-Sided Republicans Still Reeling From Trump’s Surprise Pivot On Health Law
President Donald Trump’s decision to have the Justice Department argue the entirety of the health law should be invalidated instead of just parts of it came reportedly after discussions with acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney. Mulvaney said the move would help energize Trump’s base, fulfill a campaign promise, and let the president reclaim health care as a talking point for Republicans. GOP lawmakers, who say they weren’t given any heads-up on the decision, have a different view of it, however.
Federal Judge Rejects Kentucky, Arkansas Medicaid Work Requirements In Blow To Trump Administration
U.S. District Judge James Boasberg ruled that HHS Secretary Alex Azar and the Trump administration failed to adequately consider the extent to which the added requirements would cause significant numbers of people to lose coverage. The decision was the second time that Boasberg blocked Kentucky’s efforts, and he said that the plan “has essentially the same features as it did before.” CMS Administrator Seema Verma reaffirmed her support of work requirements following the twin rulings: “We will continue to defend our efforts to give states greater flexibility to help low income Americans rise out of poverty.”
A new study finds that tracking antibiotic-resistance genes in bacteria found in urban wastewater treatment plants could help scientists and public health officials get a fast and accurate picture of resistance in a city. In other public health news: the flu, diets, air pollution, joint replacement, and more.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages focus on these and other health topics.
Opinion writers weigh in on the administration’s legal challenge to the health law.
Media outlets report on news from Tennessee, North Carolina, D.C., New Hampshire, Minnesota, New York, California, Georgia, Arizona, Massachusetts, Missouri, Michigan and Texas.
The extraordinary declaration highlighted the desperation of Rockland County, N.Y., public officials to control the spread of a disease they have so far struggled to halt. Meanwhile, in California, lawmakers consider a bill that would crack down on bogus medical exemptions for vaccinations.
In response to the North Carolina ruling in federal court on Monday, American Civil Liberties Union attorney Andrew Beck said, “Politicians shouldn’t be meddling with women’s health in a way that’s actually illegal.” News on abortion comes out of Utah, Kansas, Texas and Georgia, as well.
For people in a low-income, struggling county in Arkansas the idea that there are just jobs out there waiting for them now that they’re being faced with work requirements for their Medicaid program is almost laughable. Now, residents are having to skip care after they’re dropped from the rolls. “I am just putting it in God’s hands,” said Elizabeth Cloinger, 47. “He is going to let me stay on this Earth to see my grandbaby be raised.”
The proposed policy follows on the heels of recent studies that found the alternative way of replacing an aortic heart valve is safe and effective.
A Wall Street Journal and Frontline investigation earlier this year detailed how IHS doctor Stanley Patrick Weber was transferred from hospital to hospital despite allegations that he abused Native American boys under his care. The task force will examine what went wrong and suggest improvements to better protect the children in the future.
“We will enforce a strict prohibition on backdoor funding schemes and end runs around our policy,” said Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. The policy, dubbed a “global gag rule” by its critics, cuts off funding for foreign organizations that promote or practice abortion.
The Senate Judiciary Committee’s hearing delved into the possibilities of protections that let family members or law-enforcement officials petition a court for an order that would temporarily block a person from being able to buy a firearm, or enable officials to remove his or her weapons.
The case has been closely watched as others across the country move toward their trial dates. Experts say the settlement “puts a stake in the ground” and “telegraphs what these cases might be worth and makes the elephant in the room even larger — namely, do Purdue and the Sacklers have sufficient funds to give fair payouts in the 1600-plus cases that remain?”
Pelosi In Early Stages Of Talks With Trump Over Bringing Down Drug Prices
Curbing high drug prices is looked at as one of the few bipartisan issues that might actually be tackled by the divided Congress, and is a known priority for both the Democrats in the House and President Donald Trump.
Democrats have largely viewed health care as a winning topic, and President Donald Trump’s renewed focus on the issue–right before House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) announced a plan to shore up the health law marketplaces–gives them an easy talking point as election season draws ever nearer. For Republicans, it shifted the spotlight from a topic that was a political victory for them–the Mueller investigation–onto one where they’ve repeatedly stumbled in the past two years.
News outlets report on stories related to pharmaceutical pricing.
Perspectives: Just How Expensive Do Prescription Drugs Need To Be To Fund Innovative Research?
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
First Comes The Grief Of Losing An Infant Unexpectedly. Then Come The Questions From The Detectives.
When a baby dies from sudden infant death syndrome, parents don’t have long to recover before they’re faced with questions and paperwork from detectives. The policies are in place to protect from abuse or neglect, but can often bleed over to accusatory for parents in the worst moments of their lives. In other public health news, the mysteries of aging, exercise, schizophrenia, smoking and marijuana extract.
