Latest KFF Health News Stories
Abortion-Rights Movement Sets Sights On State-Level Gains: ‘2019 Holds Real Promise For Progress’
While anti-abortion advocates are pivoting to focus on Senate confirmations of judicial nominees and federal rules, abortion-rights groups like NARAL Pro-Choice America and Planned Parenthood see their opening on the state level.
Optum, one of the nation’s largest health insurers, wants the courts to block one of its former executives from sharing confidential corporate information with the health venture that was launched by Amazon, JPMorgan Chase & Co., and Berkshire Hathaway.
A new study looked at the effectiveness of the Trump administration’s proposal to require drugmakers to state prices in TV commercials. While putting the costs in did affect consumers, the impact was muted if the ad’s language suggests that some people could get the treatment for free. In other pharmaceutical news: foreign drug pricing, the controversial 340B program, negotiating powers for Medicaid, and more.
36-Year-Old Nurse Charged With Sexual Assault Of Incapacitated Woman Who Gave Birth
“From the minute we first became aware of the crime, we have virtually worked nonstop seven days a week to resolve this case,” Phoenix Police Chief Jeri Williams said in announcing the arrest Wednesday morning. The case is just one of several high-profile assaults that have brought attention to the quality of care and protection that nursing facilities are providing.
The Heavy Toll Of Fighting The Health Law
Texas is leading the charge against the health law in courts, but it could cost the state billions. And, as of now, there doesn’t seem to be a plan in place if the Republicans win. Meanwhile, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers had to reverse course after saying he directed the state’s attorney general to withdraw from the suit.
A new report has found that the percentage of adults without health insurance climbed to 13.7 percent in the fourth quarter of 2018, from 12.4 percent a year earlier and a low of 10.9 percent in 2016.
Media outlets look at how the continued partial government shutdown is felt across the health care industry. Insurers say rule-making delays have left them scrambling to make key decisions about future participation in the ACA’s health-insurance exchanges; funding for Native American health services dwindles; and more consequences.
“We’re going to stop all of it, and it’s very important to me,” President Donald Trump said during a health care roundtable. Surprise billing — the practice of charging patients for care that is more expensive than anticipated or not covered by their insurance — has been regarded as a possible bipartisan issue a divided Congress might tackle.
First Edition: January 24, 2019
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages focus on these health issues and others.
Opinion writers express views about health care reforms.
Media outlets report on news from New York, Oregon, Montana, Wisconsin, Massachusetts, California, Maryland, Ohio, Georgia, Tennessee and New Hampshire.
By Revamping Device Therapy, Tech Companies See New Hope For Trimming Reliance On Opioids
Neuromodulation, which started appearing in the 1960s, works when electricity interrupts pain signals carried to the brain, providing relief to patients. But costs make them impractical for everyone and there are risks involved. In other news on the opioid crisis: Boston’s mayor examines needle exchange programs; Ohio aims to lower HIV rates; Texas website focuses on education; and California doctors cry foul on probe.
Added sugars, typically high in fructose, aren’t discouraged in current health guidelines and can lead to obesity. Other public health news looks at liver disease causes, definitions of toxic masculinity, new insights into MS, a report on black lung disease, benefits of insta-workouts, educating future doctors about LBGTQ issues, protection from Zika and more.
Maine Governor Rejects Medicaid Work Requirements, Saying Mandates Would Be ‘Problematic’
“We believe that the likely result of this 1115 demonstration would leave more Maine people uninsured without improving their participation in the workforce,” Gov. Janet Mills said. The work requirements had been sought by Mills’ predecessor Republican Gov. Paul LePage and were approved just days before he left office. Medicaid news comes out of Georgia and Florida, as well.
In sharp contrast to 2014, mean wait times in 2017 at VA hospitals had gone down to 17.7 days, while rising to 29.8 for private practitioners. In other news on veterans affairs, two U.S. senators seek answers on a veteran’s death in Missouri.
State Judge Strikes Down Iowa’s ‘Fetal Heartbeat’ Law As Unconstitutional
The legislation that would have outlawed abortion as soon as a fetal heartbeat was detected — which is usually at six weeks, often before a woman even realizes she’s pregnant — would have been the most restrictive anti-abortion law in the nation. Meanwhile, in New York, lawmakers pass legislation expanding women’s access to abortions in the state.
Big Jump In Prescription Drug Sales Propels Johnson & Johnson To Strong Fourth-Quarter
But Johnson & Johnson said it expects its sales growth to slow in 2019. Meanwhile, the company has agreed to pay $120 million to resolve claims over deceptive marketing.
Federal prosecutors said Walgreens configured its electronic pharmacy management system to prevent its pharmacists from dispensing less than a full box of five insulin pens, even when patients didn’t need that much. In a second settlement, Walgreens agreed to pay $60 million to settle claims that it overbilled Medicaid by failing to disclose and charge the lower drug prices it offered the public through a discount program.
In Sign Of Increasing Threat Facing Industry, Big Pharma Spent A Record $27.5M On Lobbying In 2018
The lobbying numbers from the pharmaceutical industry’s leading trade group reflect an industry under fire from all sides over its pricing practices, as well as its efforts to roll back changes to a Medicare program. The changes is expected to cost drugmakers as much as $1.9 billion in 2019. Meanwhile, there’s a lot of money going toward influencing drug cost decisions, but it’s not always clear who is behind the groups ponying up the cash.
