Latest KFF Health News Stories
The Center for American Progress’ “Medicare Extra For All” plan would maintain a role for employers and insurers, and use Medicare’s thrifty payment system as framework to pool working-age people, low-income people now covered by Medicaid and seniors.
Amid Unrest And Infighting At VA, White House Adviser To Host Meeting With Veterans’ Advocates
Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin has been in the spotlight not only for a scandal involving taxpayer dollars and a trip to Europe, but also for his claims that he’s being undermined by political foes at his own agency. White House Chief of Staff John Kelly plans to meet with advocates to listen to any of their concerns.
Indian Health Services Nominee Withdraws Name Following Reports He Exaggerated Work Experience
In one example, Robert Weaver said he had held leadership roles at a large hospital; however, some of his former colleagues and supervisors said his role there was as a registration clerk. IHS, which provides care for more than two million Native Americans, hasn’t had a permanent leader since 2015.
President Donald Trump hosted a group of families and survivors affected by mass shootings to try to brainstorm a way forward. The president floated several ideas, but came back to background checks, mental health laws and arming teachers. Meanwhile, in Florida, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) participated in a town-hall like event to talk about gun control and safety laws. He earned both cheers and jeers for his positions.
Nursing Homes Booting Out Patients At Increasingly High Rates When Lucrative Medicare Coverage Ends
“The nursing homes, they know the system and they really game it to where they maximize their advantage,” said Tony Chicotel, a lawyer at California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform, a nonprofit group. Federal regulators are seeking ways to step up enforcement on discharge laws.
First Edition: February 22, 2018
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: ACA’s Future? Pros And Cons Of Limited-Care Insurance; Amazon Can’t Remedy Health Care
Editorial pages highlight these and other health stories.
Perspectives: We Need Less Government And More Transparency To Curb High Drug Costs
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Drug Prices Bill May Put Maryland On Direct Collision Course With Pharma Industry
News outlets report on stories related to pharmaceutical pricing.
Media outlets report on news from Maryland, Minnesota, New York, Louisiana, Georgia, Missouri, Iowa and California.
The Past Successes, Failures And Future Of Cancer Vaccines
CNN takes a look at where the research has been and where it’s heading. In other public health news: cancer trials, Olympians, gene editing, the flu, alcohol and allergies.
It Turns Out, Knowing Your Genetic Risk Data Doesn’t Actually Help You Lose Weight
Previous research has suggested that analyzing a person’s genes could help determine which weight loss strategy would work best for them. But that doesn’t seem to be the case.
This ER Department Upended Its Entire Culture Around Prescribing Opioids — And Got Drastic Results
This hospital is no longer using opioids as its first line of offense against pain. And the results show it’s working. Outlets report on news on the crisis out of Maryland, Tennessee, New Hampshire, Wyoming and Ohio as well.
Alaska, Ohio Explore Option Of Imposing Work Requirements On Medicaid Recipients
The Trump administration has opened the door, and some states are rushing in. Meanwhile, New Hampshire lawmakers are urged to renew the state’s Medicaid expansion.
Tracking Life Cycle Of A Medical Bill Reveals Astronomical Price Tag Just For Collecting Payments
Researchers broke down the expensive steps that go into processing a medical bill.
Albertsons’ Deal To Purchase Rite Aid Is Latest Twist To Remake Retail And Health Care Industries
The chief executives of the companies say that the merger is the best way for them to compete in businesses increasingly threatened by online companies like Amazon and Walmart.
Senators Say Administration’s Rollback Of Nursing Home Regulations Puts Patients At Risk
A group of Democratic lawmakers urges the administration to walk back guidelines released last year that make it more difficult for federal regulators to fine or deny federal payments to nursing homes that don’t meet certain quality and safety standards.
More Than 300 Workers Have Filed Complaints With New Conscience Division At HHS
HHS officials said the new division was necessary so health workers do not have to violate their religious or moral beliefs to do their jobs. Violations can result in a service provider losing government funding. In other news from HHS: an official is put on leave while the agency investigates his social media posts; and a lesbian couple sues after being denied the chance to become foster parents.
Fall In Line Or Get Out: Shulkin Taking Steps To Rout Rebellious Political Foes In VA Department
Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin, following a scandal over travel expenses, says he has the support of President Donald Trump and intends to keep his position. Shulkin is also taking steps to purge the department of those who he thinks are trying to undermine him.
Short-term policies are intended for people who are between jobs, and are generally cheaper than insurance that meets the law’s requirements. But they offer significantly less protection to consumers. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said people buying these plans could be “one diagnosis away from disaster, discovering they have been paying for coverage that may not cover basic care such as cancer treatment.”
