Latest KFF Health News Stories
In Some States, Tough Insurance Rules May Thwart Concerns About Cheaper, Skimpier Plans
The Kansas City Star looks at how Kansas and Missouri’s laws can help protect consumers considering the less expensive short-term plans that federal officials have been promoting as an alternative to the health law’s more comprehensive policies.
As ACA Marketplaces Open, The Effects Of GOP Changes To Insurance Rules Will Come Into Focus
Once again, all eyes are on the federal health law’s exchanges to see how major changes will affect enrollment. The penalty for not having insurance expires at the end of this year. Plus the Trump administration has set new rules promoting short-term health plans that could have lower premiums but also likely will not cover many basic medical expenses or preexisting conditions.
First Edition: November 1, 2018
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages focus on these health care topics and others.
Perspectives: Trump’s Pricing Proposal Raises Questions About How U.S. Pays For Drugs
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Pfizer To Revert To ‘Business As Normal’ After Pricing Increase Pause, CEO Says On Earnings Call
The pharmaceutical giant signaled that prescription drug price increases could return in 2019 after postponing planned hikes in July. The news was made during Pfizer’s third-quarter earnings call, in which the drugmaker also said its profits were up but that revenue did not hit forecasts. Bloomberg also reports on the company’s hospital drug problems.
What Will It Mean For Pharma If Democrats Take Control Of The House?
News outlets report on stories related to pharmaceutical pricing.
Media outlets report on news from California, Minnesota, Ohio, Michigan, New Jersey and Washington.
Medical Marijuana Is Now A Popular Midterm Measure In Utah, One Of The Most Conservative States
“There’s a lot of tailwind nationally pushing this issue,” said DJ Schanz, director of the Utah Patients Coalition. “A lot of states have experimented with medical cannabis and seen great results. The hysterical opposition has proven to be false.” News on marijuana also comes out of Florida, North Dakota, Michigan, Missouri and Massachusetts.
DOJ Expands Probe Of Asbestos Trust Funds That Have Paid Out Billions, Citing Claims Of Fraud
But the plaintiffs’ lawyers and asbestos victims’ advocates said the administration is siding with business and there is little proof of widespread fraud. Other public health news focuses on dengue fever; texting 911; heart attacks and cold weather; healthy meals; ketamine and more.
Rite Aid Shareholders Press Pharmacy Chain To Report On How Addictive Painkiller Are Monitored
Also in the news, more states are licensing new methadone clinics in communities hit hard by the opioid epidemic.
Former Executives At Valeant And A Mail-Order Pharmacy Firm Sentenced To Prison
They were found found guilty of defrauding the pharmaceutical giant through a multimillion-dollar kickback scheme.
White House Revising Controversial Proposal On Birth Control Coverage
The Affordable Care Act requires health plans to provide preventive care at no charge, and the Obama administration included contraception services in that category. The Trump administration says employers should be allowed to opt out if they have religious or moral objections. Other administration news includes efforts to claw back overpayments to Medicare Advantage plans and the defense of the president’s plan on drug pricing.
ACA Marketplaces Open Tomorrow, Face Pressure From Short-Term Plans
Even as the insurance marketplaces appear to have stabilized in many states after years of turbulence, the Trump administration is pushing the new plans that may draw customers from the health law’s exchanges. “The affordability issue trumps everything,” said Idaha Lt. Gov. Brad Little, a Republican who is the front-runner in next Tuesday’s gubernatorial election.
Preexisting Conditions, Other Health Policy Statements Also Come To Fore In Gubernatorial Elections
News outlets examine the specifics of the candidates vying for the state top spot in Florida, Connecticut and Ohio.
Prospects For More States To Expand Medicaid Grow As Democrats Run Even In Some Governors Races
Competitive races in Georgia, Florida, Wisconsin, Kansas, Oklahoma and South Dakota could help expansion advocates flip those holdout states, although conservative legislators may still fight to stop any changes.
Repeal-And-Replace Votes Haunt Republican Congressional Candidates In Swing Districts
In some midterm contests, support for the Affordable Care Act and its protections for people who have preexisting conditions could become an important issue.
First Edition: October 31, 2018
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: FDA Needs To Impose Limits On E-Cigarettes; Time To Defang The NRA, Address Gun Safety
Editorial pages look at these public health topics and others.
Opinion writers weigh in on these health care topics and others.
