Latest KFF Health News Stories
Supporters thought that strategy would boost their effort with voters, but it attracted Big Tobacco into the fight. As more people look to the success of the three states who were successful in expanding Medicaid through ballot initiatives, the strategy may offer lessons for 2020. Meanwhile, since work requirements were added to Arkansas’ Medicaid program earlier this year, more than 17,000 beneficiaries have lost coverage.
That approach, being explored by startup Bind Benefits, is drawing attention in a health care industry hungry for innovative ideas on how to cut costs. Meanwhile, a new poll finds that three out of 10 Americans are forgoing care because it’s so expensive.
The company, which is reeling from a Reuters investigation that showed company leaders were aware of asbestos since the 1970s, took out a full-page ad — headlined “Science. Not sensationalism.” — in newspapers including The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. The ad asserts that J&J has scientific evidence its talc is safe and beneficial to use.
Chairman Of Powerful Senate Health Committee Lamar Alexander Won’t Seek Re-Election In 2020
The announced departure of Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) will set up a fight for the gavel of that committee, which wages outsized influence on Washington’s health care agenda. Next in line for that position is Sen. Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), and behind him is Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.)
Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s bill would establish an Office of Drug Manufacturing that would be required to manufacture at least 15 different generic drugs in its first year where the agency determines there is a failure in the market. Meanwhile, Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) is also introducing legislation geared toward high drug costs and increasing transparency in Medicaid funding.
The industry was left reeling despite the fact that many legal experts expect the decision to be overturned. Meanwhile, insurers hastened to try to reassure their customers that nothing is changing immediately.
In theory, U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor’s declaration that the health law is unconstitutional without the individual mandate tax should be a victory for Republicans who have been waging a war against the ACA for years. In practice, experts say it may be putting the party in a “lose-lose scenario” with voters. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump maintains that the ruling presents an opportunity for lawmakers to create a better health care system.
In their filing to U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra and other Democratic attorneys general also asked for permission to immediately appeal’s his decision that the Affordable Care Act is unconstitutional. For its part, HHS says that since O’Connor had not issued a final judgment or an injunction, the department “will continue administering and enforcing all aspects of the ACA as it had before the court issued its decision.” Meanwhile, Democrats prepare to act to protect the law as soon as they take the majority in the House next month.
First Edition: December 18, 2018
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages focus on these health care issues and others.
Opinion writers weigh in on Friday’s ruling that the Health Law is unconstitutional.
Media outlets report on news from Texas, California, Florida, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Maryland, Massachusetts and Kansas.
Minnesota’s Intensive Efforts To Stabilize Health Law Marketplace Pay Off
MNsure just passed its first enrollment deadline on Saturday, and for the second year in a row, rates are declining, access has been largely maintained and enrollments remain steady.
One Way Some Colleges Are Expanding Access To Emergency Contraception? Vending Machines
Many schools offer free or reduced-cost emergency contraception in their student health centers. But campus medical offices or pharmacies aren’t always open when the pills are most needed. Women’s health news comes out of Arkansas and Kentucky, as well.
Although the Trump administration wants to commit $20 million to develop alternative options to using fetal tissue in research, scientists say it is unique. Other news on public health focuses on CRISPR researcher He Jiankui, an increase in homelessness, low-salt diets, palliative care, second-hand smoke, the Marbug virus, a young Ebola survivor, aftershocks of suicides and more.
Although the CDC can’t say what’s causing the trend, researchers note it could be due to memories of last winter’s high death toll.
The findings suggest that the total number of high school students using tobacco surged by 1.3 million between 2017 and 2018. In all that time, the researchers who conduct the survey have never seen a drug’s popularity explode the way vaping did in the past year.
A sweeping investigation examines the quality and effectiveness of care for adult residents who transfer into subsidized apartments under a program called scattered site supported housing. Other news on quality in health care focuses on assisted living facilities and hospitals.
Even As More Red States Move Toward Medicaid Expansion With Caveats, Texas Hasn’t Budged
For years, Texas Democrats have filed legislation to expand Medicaid, but those measures have gone nowhere in the Republican-dominated Legislature. State Rep. John Zerwas (R-Richmond) said for members of his party, Medicaid expansion is a non-starter because of the threat it could pose to their political reputation. Medicaid news comes out of Kansas, as well.
With reports on the rise of fentanyl’s lethality, even through accidental exposure, people are being prosecuted for endangering the lives of police officers who respond to emergency calls. Experts, however, say that the science behind accidental exposure doesn’t support the extreme measures. Other news from the national drug epidemic includes: secret OxyContin documents, recovery in a small town, naloxone, a massive drug operation and more.
