Latest KFF Health News Stories
13 Of 15 Doctors In Congress Are Republican Men. This Group Wants To Change That Statistic.
With so much of today’s political discourse revolving around health care, this grassroots groups thinks its imperative for the “doctors caucus” in Congress to include Democratic women.
A video that went viral shows a disoriented woman in nothing but a hospital gown and socks discharged out into the cold, dark night from the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore. The practice of patient dumping, however, is anything but new.
Congressional Advisory Group Supports Changes In Medicare Doctor Payments
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, or MedPAC, says one of the two payment tracks set up under a new reimbursement system is too burdensome for physicians and won’t push them to improve care.
6-Year CHIP Extension Looks Likely After CBO Numbers Show ‘It May Have No Cost’
The funding has been held up in Congress because of disputes over how to pay for the program. But those arguments might be moot now that the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office projects that extending funding would save the government $6 billion over a decade because providing coverage through CHIP is more cost effective than other government-funded coverage, such as Medicaid or subsidized marketplace coverage. Meanwhile, doctors and families take steps to protect against a further-protracted funding lag.
Centene Sued After Enrollees Say They Can’t Find Doctors To Take Their Plans
“Centene misrepresents the number, location and existence of purported providers,” the lawsuit claims. Centene, which also provides coverage to low-income individuals under the government Medicaid program, has proved to be one of the mainstays of the Affordable Care Act.
Trump To Undergo First Physical Exam In Office Amid Chatter Over State Of His Cognitive Health
President Donald Trump said he would “be surprised” if it didn’t go well. Meanwhile, a group of more than 70 psychologists, psychiatrists and mental health professionals urge the physician conducting the exam to assess the president’s neurological health.
Legal Challenge To Medicaid Work Requirements Already Brewing, But CMS Says Law Is On Its Side
Critics of the new guidelines that will allow states to impose the requirements on some of their Medicaid enrollees say the policy is a contradiction of the purpose of Medicaid, and thus needs an act of Congress to change it. But CMS Administrator Seema Verma says she thinks the agency acted well within its rights. Meanwhile, outlets offer a look on where state leaders stand on the issue.
First Edition: January 12, 2018
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
A selection of opinions on health care from news outlets around the country.
Longer Looks: Crowdfunding Health Care; Rural Hospitals; And Life Expectancy
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Media outlets report on news from Tennessee, Ohio, Minnesota, Iowa, Virginia, Texas, New Hampshire, California, Kansas and Georgia.
After Management Shake-Up, Molina Loses N.M. Medicaid Contract
The board of directors ousted the CEO and chief financial officer — both sons of the founder — last year. In other Medicaid news, Florida lawmakers question plans to move some children into a managed care program and Capitol Hill looks at fixes for Puerto Rico’s problems.
Researchers are looking into the ways gender can change the results of medical experiments in drastic ways. In other public health news: Americans are rushing out to buy anti-radiation pills, more on the president’s mental health, former Vice President Joe Biden talks about toxins associated with burning waste at military institutions, alcohol-related ER visits are on the rise, and more.
Flu Death Warning: A Healthy Young Man Thought He Could Fight The Virus
Most of this year’s deaths are among older people, but everyone regardless of their age needs to get a flu shot, know the symptoms of influenza, cover their mouths when they cough and seek help if symptoms worsen, emergency room doctors say.
Federal Registry To Help Find Effective Treatments For Behavioral Health Problems Suspended
The registry offers a database of hundreds of mental health and substance abuse programs that have been assessed and deemed scientifically sound. Officials confirmed that a new entity will take over the program’s duties, but no staff other than a new director is in place to run it.
Trump Promised To ‘Liberate’ Americans From Opioid Crisis. But States Say Little Has Been Done.
The public health emergency President Donald Trump declared is set to expire later this month, and public health officials in the states are frustrated that there were more “thoughts and prayers” and than money to back it up. Meanwhile, Trump signs legislation aimed at tackling the epidemic, the Cherokee Nation’s lawsuit against opioid makers is dealt a blow, Ohio issues new guidelines on painkillers and work-related back injuries, and more.
Critics Accuse Administration Of ‘Playing Politics With Women’s Health’ Over Family Planning Funding
An announcement about the federal funding was expected last November, and states whose grants end March 31 could be in a bind if a decision isn’t made soon.
Trump Administration Takes Another Look At Medicare Bundled Payments
After canceling a similar Obama-era plan, the Department of Health and Human Services now says it will try out a program that provides a single “bundled payment” for nearly all the services provided in a 90-day period to certain Medicare patients.
Medical Credit Cards Can Add To Big Bills For Patients
They may seem like a solution for consumers struggling to pay for medical procedures not covered by insurance, but consumer advocates warn that they can lead to unexpected penalties and sky-high interest rates.
