Latest KFF Health News Stories
GOP Lawmakers Call For Hearings To Discuss Pitfalls Of ‘Medicare For All,’ But Democrats Shy Away
“Who are you kidding?” asked Energy & Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone (D-N.J.). “Oh sure, we’re going to have a hearing on something that you think will destroy the country.” Pallone’s response was to a letter from Reps. Greg Walden (R-Oregon) and Michael Burgess (R-Texas) asking the committee to address the issue. Meanwhile, some 2020 Democrats are treading carefully when it comes to the controversial issue.
President Donald Trump and his administration have been using the consumer price index for drugs — a figure that experts say doesn’t tell the full story about drug prices at any given time. Questions about the usefulness of the consumer price index for drugs have been raised for years before Trump took office. In other news, pharma companies come out in support of Trump’s plan to target drug rebates.
The initiative largely focuses on target HIV hot spots and expanding access and use of medication to curb the crisis. Advocates say President Donald Trump’s goal is achievable, but it will take more than just an increased push for more medications. Things like health insurance, racism, poverty and other social determinants need to be considered.
“‘Late term’ is an invention of anti-abortion extremists to confuse, mislead and increase stigma,” says Dr. Jennifer Conti. President Donald Trump pointed to recent controversies surrounding abortion procedures later in pregnancies during his State of the Union speech as he called lawmakers to pass a ban on “late-term abortions.” Trump has had success in reaching out to the anti-abortion movement for political support. Meanwhile, Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) defends his state’s legislation that Trump criticized in the address.
Democrats Launch Mostly Symbolic Campaign To Roll Back Trump’s Changes To Health Law
Democrats say they have a mandate from the voters to protect preexisting conditions coverage and other popular provisions in the health law. Their new measures to shore up the ACA, which are in direct response to the Trump administration’s efforts to chip away at it, would likely die in the Republican-controlled Senate. But the move lets Democrats create talking points for the 2020 elections.
First Edition: February 7, 2019
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers weigh in on these health issues and others.
Media outlets report on news from New York, Texas, Hawaii, Arizona, New Hampshire, Georgia, Louisiana and Tennessee.
When Religion Harms Mental Health, These Groups Help People ‘Be OK With Not Being OK’
A growing awareness of the dangers of “religious perfectionism” is behind the practices some therapists and pastors use to treat post-traumatic stress disorder-type symptoms, including anxiety, self doubt and feelings of social inadequacy. Other news on public health looks at hazardous chemical reports; over-exercise dangers; Alexa patient care and children’s bedtime screen use, as well.
“If you have a population that is unvaccinated, it’s like throwing a match into a can of gasoline,” said Dr. Alan Melnick, Clark County’s public health director. The latest outbreak of measles started in an anti-vaccination hotspot where only 78 percent of the kindergarten through high school population had gotten their shots.
Fetal Heartbeat Abortion Ban Bill Clears Mississippi Legislative Committee
Meanwhile in Texas, the state’s efforts to stop Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood will be heard by the full 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. And the Texas attorney general petitions a federal judge to eliminate health law protections for transgender citizens and women seeking abortions.
Two Texas Health Care Giants Call Off Hospital Merger, Offering Few Clues Why
After setting out months ago to create the largest nonprofit hospital system in Texas, Memorial Hermann Health System and Baylor Scott & White Health canceled those plans Tuesday. News on hospitals comes out of California and Ohio, also.
News on efforts to combat the drug epidemic is reported from Wisconsin, Minnesota, Arizona, New Hampshire and Ohio.
Tackling Wealth Inequality A Common Thread Running Beneath 2020 Democratic Hopefuls’ Messaging
From hefty tax credits to savings accounts for every infant, the Democrats are going beyond what previous candidates have promised when attempting to tackle wealth inequality in the country. Critics argue that any kind of cash-assistance in addition to the current safety-net programs that exist would discourage people from finding jobs. Meanwhile, “Medicare for All” has become a highly politicized term, but what does it really mean?
Lawmakers in both Utah and Idaho are moving quickly to add restrictions to the voter-approved Medicaid expansion. Medicaid news comes out of Florida, as well.
The New York Times takes a look at who will benefit from President Donald Trump’s new proposal to go after the complicated drug rebate system that flourishes between drugmakers and pharmacy benefit managers.
Much of the House’s legislative product will fall flat in the Senate, but it is likely to set the stage for the 2020 elections. “They want to show voters they can legislate, they can run the government, they can do the things they said they’re going to do,” said James Curry, an associate professor of political science.
Inside The State Of The Union: Republicans Chant ‘U-S-A,’ Democrats Sit Quietly For Most Of Speech
Media outlets offer takes on the mood inside the chamber on Tuesday night during the president’s address.
Stacey Abrams, the former Democratic nominee for Georgia governor, gave the Democrats’ response to the president’s address. One of Abrams’ main focuses was the controversial administration policy to separate migrant children and their parents at the border. Meanwhile, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she was disappointed that the president didn’t address gun violence during his speech.
Congress Should Ban Late-Term Abortions, Trump Says Citing Recent Controversy In Virginia
A Virginia Democrat recently incited backlash after she made comments that seemed to support abortion up to minutes before the birth. In his State of the Union address, President Donald Trump pointed to the incident along with a New York bill that allows abortions after 24 weeks if a doctor determines the woman’s life or health is at stake, or if the fetus is not viable.
