Latest KFF Health News Stories
Different Takes: GOP Incoherence On Health Law Cost Them In Midterms; Time To Shore Up The ACA
Opinion writers weigh in on the health law’s role in the midterm elections and other health care topics.
Perspectives: Can Drug Pricing Legislation Gain Traction In This Post-Election Washington?
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Drugmakers Lobby Trump Administration To Halt Discounts For Seniors
News outlets report on stories related to pharmaceutical pricing.
Media outlets report on news from New Hampshire, California, Illinois, Texas and other states.
‘Alarming’ Staffing Vacancy Rate Undermines Care For Veterans, Report Finds
Most of the nearly 40,000 vacancies are for medical and dental staff such as doctors and nurses. In other health news on veterans, Georgia is undergoing an increase in homeless women veterans.
Lower taxes in the third quarter also helped CVS, which says it will complete the purchase of the health care insurer before Thanksgiving and begin expanding the care it provides through many of its nearly 10,000 stores.
Among the many other ballot measures voters considered across the country: California opted to have ambulance crews stay on duty while eating lunch, approved new funding for California’s children’s hospitals; Massachusetts rejected hospital staffing ratios; and Missouri approved medical marijuana.
One Of This Election Day’s Biggest Winners: Medicaid Expansion
Voters in three states — Utah, Idaho and Nebraska — voted for ballot measures to expand Medicaid, even though their governors and state legislatures may have thought differently. Votes are still being counted in Montana, where an initiative proposed continued funding for Medicaid expansion through a tobacco tax.
New Democratic Governors In Wis., Kan. And Calif. Could Impact Health Policies
The Republicans in Wisconsin and Kansas had opposed parts of the federal health plan. In California, Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom has supported a single-payer health system.
Republicans Build On Senate Majority
According to USA Today, this election marks the first time since 1914, when the nation started directly electing senators, that a party won control of the House without gaining seats in the Senate, too.
Health Care Issues Helped Fuel Democrats’ House Victories
These issues in general, and protecting the Affordable Care Act in particular, were picked early on by Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) as central to winning back the House. And, as the votes are being counted, it’s clear that a record number of women will be heading to Capitol Hill. News outlets detail some of those contests.
What Were Voters Thinking About When They Went To The Polls Yesterday?
It was health care, immigration and President Donald Trump, according to a wide-ranging survey conducted by the Associated Press. Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal notes that while turnout was huge, the political climate continues to be very polarized.
Democrats Take The House. The GOP Keeps Control In The Senate. What Now?
Medicare, Medicaid, preexisting conditions, high prescription drug costs: These buzz words are not likely to go away once the election-day dust settles. But what are the chances that the two chambers can find a common path forward. News outlets examine whether anything can get done in the wake of this split decision.
First Edition: November 7, 2018
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages focus on these public health issues and others.
Media outlets report on news from New Hampshire, Louisiana, Kansas, Texas, Michigan, Maryland and California.
Study: Women Who Are Early Risers Have Lower Risk Of Breast Cancer
A team of UK researchers found that women who wake up early have a 40 to 48 percent reduced risk of developing breast cancer. In other public health news: why you should get your flu shot now; U2’s Bono thanks Congress for maintaining AIDS funding; an exploration of the brain’s working memory; and more.
Health Officials, Doctors Struggle To Explain Rise In Cases Of Polio-Like Illness
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified 80 confirmed cases of acute flaccid myelitis, or AFM, that mostly affects children. This represents the illness’ third nationwide peak since 2014. And, cases of measles are also spiking.
Otis Brawley, A Cancer Society Executive, Resigns; Fundraising Partnerships Partly To Blame
After 11 years with the American Cancer Society, Brawley, an executive vice president and chief medical officer, left his post late last week. And look who’s in the top spot at Families USA.
Insys Planning To Sell Off Opioid-Related Assets, Following Settlement In Federal Investigation
Potential sell-off plans include Insys’ Subsys, a mouth-spray version of the fentanyl painkiller, and formulations of buprenorphine. In other pharma news, the FDA continues to find quality control problems at Akorn manufacturing plants.
