Latest KFF Health News Stories
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.
Rep. Anthony Brown (D-Md.) says he would prefer an outright ban on assault-style weapons, but hopes that the new Democratic majority in the House will push the age-limit proposal through. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court agrees to hear a right-to-carry case coming out of New York. With a potential majority after the confirmation of Justice Brett Kavanaugh, conservatives may have their chance to make a broad ruling, holding, for example, that the right to own a gun means the right to carry one.
Azar Declines House Democrats’ Request To Testify On Trump Administration’s Child Separation Policy
Although HHS offered to have other officials testify, House Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) said Secretary Alex Azar was the best person to testify. “We are going to get him here at some point one way or another,” Pallone said.
How The Shutdown’s Freeze On USDA Funding Is Affecting Rural Hospitals
Low-interest Department of Agriculture loans, delivered through its rural development program, are attractive to rural hospitals that have been economically struggling in recent years. As the shutdown continues, hospitals may have to bear the brunt of getting another loan with higher interest. In other shutdown news: food safety, the FDA, and mental health services for furloughed workers.
A new poll finds that support for a single-payer health care system depends on how the question is framed. When people were told “Medicare for All” would guarantee health insurance as a right, support rose to 71 percent. But when taxes were brought up, it plunged to 37 percent. Meanwhile, as the 2020 gets into swing, progressives embrace calls for a “Medicare for All” plan.
The Supreme Court justices lifted injunctions on the restrictions — but that decision does not resolve the underlying legal question about banning many transgender people from the military. The plan, which is working through the lower courts, makes exceptions for about 900 transgender individuals who are already serving openly and for others who say they will serve in accordance with their birth gender.
The rise in costs was driven by price increases by drugmakers. Insulin has recently become the face of high prescription drug costs in the U.S., and the report is likely to add fuel to the fire. “It must be nice to be part of the American economy where you can raise the price of your product almost 100 percent over five years,” said Niall Brennan, who heads the Health Care Cost Institute.
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
News outlets report on stories related to pharmaceutical pricing.
First Edition: January 23, 2019
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers focus on how to reduce health care costs and other health issues.
Media outlets report on news from New York, Arizona, Massachusetts, Georgia, Florida, California, Louisiana, Oregon, Minnesota, Ohio, Kansas and Colorado.
The lawsuit details how Access Funding pressured victims, many of whom were mentally impaired, with calls and texts offering quick cash. News on lead poisoning comes out of Ohio, also.
Right now, patients often face the choice between dying from organ failure or dying years later of complications from their anti-rejection medications. Scientists, however, see hope in the idea of training the body to accept the new organs. In other public health news: veterans and yoga, syphilis, suicides, sweat, edibles, back pain, allergies, and more.
Scientist Who Used Gene Editing On Human Embryos Likely To Face Criminal Charges In China
China acknowledged the births and the fate of He Jiankui for the first time Monday. The Chinese ministry said it “resolutely opposed He’s work,” but the global science community argues He’s case underscores China’s lack of updated laws governing genetic research.
Has Program To Improve Readmission Rates For Medicare Beneficiaries Backfired?
Two new studies stoke skepticism over a program that penalizes hospitals when readmissions within 30 days exceeded national averages. While some worry the program hurts the very people it’s meant to protect, other experts defend the measures.
CVS, Walmart Resolve Pricing Dispute That Threatened Future Of Partnership
CVS says Walmart will allow its stores to continue to participate in CVS’s pharmacy networks to provide prescription drugs to patients through commercial and managed Medicaid programs. The agreement comes days after CVS announced Walmart would withdraw from its prescription networks.
Medicaid Work Requirements That Exempt Native American Tribe Members Approved For Arizona
Arizona is the eighth state to receive permission to impose work requirements on Medicaid beneficiaries but will be the first to allow an exemption for members of federally recognized tribes. Meanwhile, rural hospitals struggle to remain open, especially in states that didn’t expand Medicaid.
Trump Vows To Defend ‘Right To Life’ As Antiabortion Marchers Hit The Streets In D.C.
President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence touted the administration’s policy decisions during the annual March for Life on Friday. “If they send any legislation to my desk that weakens the protection of human life, I will issue a veto and we have the support to uphold those vetoes,” Trump said in a message to the thousands gathered. In other women’s health news: abortion bills are likely to stall in a divided Congress; the Trump administration is poised to finalize conscience protections for health workers; for now Planned Parenthood will remain a state Medicaid provider; and more.
In Counties Where Drugmakers Gave Large Number Of Gifts To Doctors There Were More Overdose Deaths
A new study looks at the overdose rates in communities across the country, offering evidence of a link between pharmaceutical companies’ marketing and opioid deaths. Previous research linked such marketing to opioid prescribing, but researchers say their study is the first to extend the comparison to overdose deaths. Meanwhile, despite the attention and funding going toward the epidemic at the moment, those affected still struggle to get help.
